Welcome to my website
You’ll find a lot here.
Personal info about me. Why I do what I do. What makes me tick. Full info about my books and ebooks. All my blog posts. All free, by the way.
Notice the horizontal menu up top. It has five keywords. Tap one and that will open the door to lots of good stuff.
I’m an active blogger. I write on this or that –never sure what I’ll tackle next. Like to be surprised?
To REACH ME: 860 304-0663 / johnguylaplante@yahoo.com / johnguylaplante@gmail.com
Here is a list of my posts
Look the list over and click on any one of them of interest and you will see the full post.
What’s being homeless really, really like?
January 11, 2019
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA – Well, I’ve met an expert. A real expert. He’s been homeless twenty years. Zeke. That’s what I’m calling him here. I’ll tell you in just a minute about Zeke and how he sees what's a huge and sad problem. I see quite a few homeless folks here a in this nice, … [Read More...]
Yep, I make New Year’s resolutions!
December 29, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Right now I am sitting here scribbling. Carrying on a ritual of many years-- decades! A ritual that many folks go through but stop doing. No need, they say. They snicker when the topic comes up. I disagree. I do it and for a simple reason. It works. The word “resolutions” … [Read More...]
My Christmas 5,000 long, hard miles away.
December 23, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA – In a Third World country, mind you, with a dramatically different culture and background. For more than two years. An adventure and a half, as they say. In fact, I lived through two Christmases like that. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine. Not all of … [Read More...]
Don’t you want to live to be a hundred?
November 30, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA –Well, don’t we all? But know what? We might be better off if we don’t. As we know, we’re living longer, at least in the more advanced countries. Better food, better sanitation, better drinking water, better working conditions, better medications and … [Read More...]
Auto-Camping across the USA and back 58 years ago. Me!
November 23, 2018
This was the report I wrote of our grand adventure. I followed it with more articles along with a series on the national parks and monuments we got to visit.By John Guy LaPlante Yes, yours truly. With my wife Paulie and our two little kids. All the way from Massachusetts across to California … [Read More...]
I go visit Carl. Inmate 4389616. I’m shocked.
November 14, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA -- He’s a friend. Well, sort of. Never have I been to a prison. Nor a jail. This is a first. And what a first. So awful I end up doing something unthinkable. Had to. I said he’s a friend, sort of. We meet now and then. I’ve called him Carl but … [Read More...]
$8,097 for just six hours in the hospital. Wow!
October 30, 2018
The Urgent Care Center that David rushed me to. Monique pulled in a few minutes later. That became the first step of that long and $$$$ night.By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA – Yes. Unbelievable! I had been waiting for the statement from French Hospital for some time. I had been a patient a … [Read More...]
2019 Calendars, Calendars, Calendars …. Whew!
October 27, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA – This is an update on the humongous, incredible envelope of junk mail I got from Boys Town. All the goodies in that envelope, you may remember, had a Christmas / New Year’s theme. Those goodies included several calendars, all big, all … [Read More...]
That junkmail I just got. Oh boy oh boy!
October 16, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante I've received tons of junk mail over the years. Haven't we all? But nothing like this, ever. I get my mail in a shoebox-size mailbox in a bank of 50 of them. With its locked door open, it's 7 high and 5 inches wide. Totally adequate even for magazines. This time … [Read More...]
Is it okay to ban books? Or is it not?
October 4, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA -- What a hot potato! Some good and really well-motivated people believe that it is okay to ban books. Not just nuts do. Others feel it's evil and fight it fiercely. I stand with those who think it's awful. Why am I bringing this up today? … [Read More...]
Bill Fairbanks’ long, long walk across the USA
September 27, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA -- Five years ago I was still living here six months a year over what I call our winter months and in Connecticut six months over the summer months there. It was time to go home again. I still had my one-person camper van. If I drove 300 miles on the big … [Read More...]
Friends, four things to tell you today.
September 16, 2018
Yes, just four! And I'll make this short and sweet. Impossible, some of you are thinking. It's 180 degrees contrary to my nature. Well, I'll prove to you right now that I can write short and sweet. 1.Thank you to those of you who let me know that you got my “I'm blogging again” post. Very … [Read More...]
I’m finally blogging again. Whoopee!
September 9, 2018
Yes sir, this makes me a most happy fellow! What happened is that a freak WordPress snafu put me out of business. Just temporarily, I hoped at first. But then for keeps, I feared. It was a whopping blow. WordPress is the app I've used for many a year to compose and then email my posts to you. … [Read More...]
WordPress Test
September 4, 2018
This is just a test suggested by Tom Milliken to check the effectiveness of Wordpress teamed up with MailChimp. which is all new to me. … [Read More...]
This is an SOS, sort of
August 20, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Yes, my frantic cry for help—Help! Help! Help! Oh, don’t panic. I’m not lost at sea or running out of gas in an airplane. But truly I am befuddled, frantic, perplexed, greatly frustrated. Here’s why. I’ve been a writer for more than 65 years. Newspaper reports. … [Read More...]
The new Medicare card. Interested? I am.
July 16, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Very much interested. To start off, I am blogging about it today for a special reason. I’ll get to that in a minute. Patience, please. First it’s important to review some basic facts about Medicare. Medicare, as you know, has become a birthright for any American turning … [Read More...]
Curious about our new Medicare card? I am. Very much.
July 15, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante To start off, I am blogging about it today for a special reason. I’ll get to that in a minute. Patience, please. First it’s important to review some basic facts about Medicare. Medicare, as you know, has become a birthright for any American turning 65. Medicare is so important, … [Read More...]
Oh, for a Fourth like those of yesteryear!
July 3, 2018
By John Guy Laplante With 3 photos. How I remember those terrific Fourths when I was a boy. They were intended to celebrate our independence from tyrannical England. But in practice, for most people it was just an excuse to have a lot of fun. We called it the Fourth. Just the Fourth. I'm … [Read More...]
Hey, why don’t they ask me my name?!
June 28, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante I'm worried about their not asking. I'm talking about business dealings. Have reason to be. They’re asking less and less. In such dealings, I'd like to be called Mr. LaPlante. Even better, Mr. LaPlante, sir. That isn't asking much. That used to be the common custom. … [Read More...]
This great gadget could save my life.
June 18, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante The one that I wear on my chest. As you see in the photo, it's just a small, silvery steel box hanging on a black cord. No religious significance. No political significance. Nothing like that. So what the heck can it be? I know people wonder. They are too polite to … [Read More...]
I read the fine print, strange me
June 11, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante It seems a lot of people don’t. Do you? Well, I do. Get a lot of it. Enjoy it. What do I mean by the fine print? The small, small words printed on so many things that we buy. Prepared foods. Medications. Publications. Products. Name it and it probably has fine … [Read More...]
I just finished my toughest test ever!
June 2, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante With 2 photos Morro Bay, CA – It was California’s written driving test. Pass it and I would continue to drive. Fail it and I would be grounded. Imagine! Well, I did pass it but by just a hair. In fact, this was a retake. I flunked it the first time. So humiliating! … [Read More...]
“Have you had narrow escapes, close calls?” Me?
May 28, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA – Yes, I have. Several. Scary close calls. This came up when I spotted a poster on a bulletin board. Glance at the photo. Interesting, don't you think? That outfit called The Reboot was announcing its upcoming meeting. A strange name, The Reboot, … [Read More...]
A big PS for you about my WP post
May 17, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante I’m delighted with your comments about my recent geographic musings of a few days ago. I see that you found them interesting. What writer wouldn’t be tickled to hear that? If you recall, I mused that eons ago our continents might have been a single huge land mass. I got … [Read More...]
How good is your WQ? Yes, your WQ?
May 13, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA -- Not your IQ. No, no. You may think I made a typo. I did not. If you read stuff like this, for sure your IQ is above average. By WQ I mean your knowledge about Our World. Our Earth. Is it pretty good? My WQ is far better than I ever thought it would be … [Read More...]
I’m 89 today and kicking. Wow!
April 27, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante With 1 photo. Yes, Wow! And today is the very first day of my 90th year! I have reason to tag on that exclamation mark. Don’t you agree? But you know, I never, never expected to live this long. How lucky I am! But a friend says I’m wrong about my age. Wu Bin in … [Read More...]
Tragedy struck, and that led Alma to God
April 17, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante With 2 photos. Morro Bay, Calif. – At first I thought she was a kook or nut or something. I have a big habit. In late afternoon I pedal my trike to our McDonald’s for a coffee. I bring a magazine or two. Coffee in hand, I plunk myself at one of its small tables, open my … [Read More...]
How lucky we are to speak English!
April 9, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante With one photo. Yes, indeed. Because English is now the world’s most popular language. The one so many people in so many other countries can read as a second language. And which so many others are trying so hard to learn. At one time French was the big international … [Read More...]
So how much is your peanut butter today?
April 5, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante With 4 photos. I love peanut butter, too. I’m not sure of the price today. It could be up or down. After all, as we know, just about everything at the supermarket goes on sale sooner or later. But I have a neat system. I call it my “per unit game.” It’s really a game … [Read More...]
Did I confuse you?
March 28, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Could be. If so, I'm sorry. I'm referring to the blog post you just got from me: "Do your duty. Vote! But maybe better, don't vote." I went on about that at length, stressing the importance of voting on issues and candidates we are familiar with. And refraining when we … [Read More...]
Do your duty, all of you. Vote …
March 27, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante But maybe better, don’t vote. I’m serious. I’m no longer a Connecticut citizen. I’ve moved to California, as many of you know. I’m registering my car here and applying for a California license and want to vote as a Californian. Hey, I’ve been voting since I turned of … [Read More...]
No Airstream for me all these years but!
March 4, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante With 2 photos. Morro Bay, CA – Well, yesterday at Albertsons supermarket I spotted a super-duper RV. And what marvelous memories it sparked. RVs are common in this scenic tourist mecca. I see them every day. But gosh, this baby was fabulous! Why so? Most RV’s look like, … [Read More...]
My friend Bill Alpert, impassioned fiddler!
February 23, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA -- My oh my, how passions can drive us! There are two kinds, as we know, good passions and evil ones. My new friend William Alpert has a passion that drives him. A beautiful one. It’s music. More than that, it’s making music. More than that, it’s making … [Read More...]
Fun facts about my new home state of CA
February 13, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, California – Folks I get to meet here often get very curious about where I hail from. For sure I’m not a born and bred native. A minute listening to me tells them that. My “accent” tips them off, would you believe?! I put “accent” in quotes because I’m positive … [Read More...]
Once a bibliophile, always…
February 2, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante … Yes, always a bibliophile. That’s me. I love books! Hey, if you enjoy reading blogs like this, that may well be you, too. So no wonder I went to last week’s book sale at our Morro Bay Public Library. It’s a great sale, staged by the Friends of the Library. In … [Read More...]
Two old men sound off about old, old age
January 20, 2018
By John Guy LaPlante I’m one of them, and I just sent an op-ed to the New York Times about my thinking on getting very, very old. My doing that was precipitated by an article in the New York Times that was written by Robert W. Goldfarb, a retired management consultant. Its title was … [Read More...]
Solo-Meandering the USA in my Dandelion
January 8, 2018
And on a shoestring. By John Guy LaPlante This is a big anniversary for me. How to observe it? Exactly a quarter of a century ago I began and completed a this-way and that-way tour of 18,000 miles through our 48 states. My native land. Yes, alone. And writing about it along the way for my … [Read More...]
My Weirdest New Year’s Day Ever
December 29, 2017
o Property Transfers in Old Lyme 2017Property Transfers in Lyme 2013 By John Guy LaPlante Scary, in fact. I lived through that New Year's 13 years ago. And I’ve never experienced anything like it since. It was a unique experience. By the way, this account was published back then. I … [Read More...]
Who’s building those statuettes again?!
December 14, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante With 4 photos. Morro Bay, CA -- I’m wondering because some artist is creating fabulous stone-on-stone “statuettes” again, and on the same street corner. Statuette is not the perfect word. But it’s the best I can think of. … [Read More...]
What, you do use your middle name?
December 1, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Hey, don't you know that’s un-American?! Taboo! You're supposed to use just a middle initial. Oh, sure, you were given, yes, given a middle name. That’s normal and expected. But I’ll bet you’ve never used it. Timothy or Susan or Andrew or whatever. You made do with just a … [Read More...]
Thanksgiving Day? Or really Turkey Day?
November 20, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante It is both. Thanksgiving Day is what President Lincoln intended when he made it a national holiday to be observed on the fourth Thursday in November. And Turkey Day it also is, though no president ever got that passed. The facts say so. We'll sit down to some 42 million … [Read More...]
The Interrobang–that’s for me!
November 5, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante And maybe for you! The interro..... what? The interrobang! Yes, you read right. What's the interrobang? You see it at the left, but greatly enlarged. It's a brand-new punctuation mark. You know, in addition to the period, comma, colon, question mark, exclamation mark, … [Read More...]
Radish seeds from your public library?
October 31, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA — Yes, you can get radish seeds from our library. And for other plants of other kinds, would you believe? My, how libraries are a-changing! I discovered this when on our library's bulletin board I spotted "Seed Library! Plant / Save / … [Read More...]
Pet Pooch Zyla snatched. Reward $1,000!
September 28, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, Calif.—Zyla is an 18-month-old boxer. She's the love of her family. See the photo of the flyer that was distributed far and wide just hours after her abduction. “Zyla is friendly and playful and we love her!” it says. I believe that. That big reward, mind … [Read More...]
A famous, controversial book. Only $2!
September 21, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante With 1 photo (Warning! This contains dirty words. Words I've never used in print before. Words I've never, never used in my speaking. You may blush. Feel free to opt out.) Morro Bay, Calif. --I'm in our Public Library and I spot it on special display. Wow! I go right … [Read More...]
The day the Post Office went automatic.
September 14, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Oct. 20, 1960. Providence, R.I. The U.S. Postal Service turned on the country’s first totally mechanized mail processing plant. Machines started doing the work from A to Z. Did it all. No hands! It was a big deal. Historic. Dramatic. Badly needed. … [Read More...]
How much is an Ocean View worth?
September 3, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Plenty. That’s no surprise to you, I’m sure. Anybody who lives close to the ocean knows this. And it’s understandable to property owners not close to the ocean. As you know, in talking prices and what affects them, realtors say that Number 1 is location, location, … [Read More...]
Uncle Emile, great guy, great chess player
August 24, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Mon oncle Emile is what I called him. Like my Papa and Maman, my Uncle Emile was an immigrant from Quebec, the heart and soul of French Canada. My memories of him go back more than 80 years. He was great at many things, especially chess. The game was a passion. This … [Read More...]
I am not a poet but ….
July 25, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante What I am is a wordsmith. Wordsmith is the right word. I cobble and hammer and shape words into sentences and paragraphs and pages to create something worth reading by others. I have indeed been called a wordsmith. Plainly put, I’m a writer – at one time or another writing … [Read More...]
Me and my penny game. Challenging and fun!
July 16, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Some twenty years ago I thought up a game to play in my car as I drove a hundred miles -- from Two cans and pennies. That's all I needed to play my game. Plus strategizing!Connecticut up to Rhode Island -- once a month to visit my Uncle Jack. I called it my Penny … [Read More...]
Another wonder to make my life easier!
June 22, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Today was the summer solstice. Always notable. But I've seen many. Today's other wonder was a first. And what a first! I had a check to deposit. Normally I would have driven to my branch at Chase and deposited it. Going to a counter to fill out a form. Perhaps standing … [Read More...]
But, Doctor, fair is fair, right?
June 4, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante I’m getting set for my appointment with a new M.D. and planning to make an unusual demand. One unnheard of. I'll bet he'll think it awful, preposterous, insulting . So be it. I'm tired of the way doctors are running their business. Hear me out and you’ll feel the same … [Read More...]
Remember the good old Palmer Method? Spelling bees?
May 24, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Probably not if you’re sixtyish or less.I do though I have not thought about those wondrous two for years and years. The Palmer Method taught me how to handwrite the way I have all my life – cursive writing, it’s called. A blessing. And I loved spelling bees. I couldn't … [Read More...]
My interview with the world’s greatest astronomer
May 8, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Just a few weeks seem to go by before we get to read another news story about life being possible way, way out there in the heavens. Well, that’s not news to me. I heard that 66 years ago. Harlow Shapley (1885 - 1972). Familiar with him? He was our greatest astronomer. … [Read More...]
The disappearing ! Aren’t you worried?
April 24, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante Don’t recognize it? It’s ! --our exclamation mark. If you’re not worried, I am! It seems as dead as the dodo. My memory is pretty good. I believe nobody has ever sent me an email and used an exclamation mark in it. They might be saying, “Happy Birthday, John,” or “Sorry … [Read More...]
Who’s seen a Greyhound bus lately?
April 11, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante I haven’t. They seem a disappearing species.Like the dodo. Sad. I checked. Greyhound—now more than a hundred years old—is still in business. A decade ago, it had some 3,500 buses on the road. Now, it’s down to less than half that. Corporations are like you and … [Read More...]
The dirtiest book I’ve ever bought
March 28, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante I’ve bought many books. None ever as filthy as this. The book is “The Limerick” by G. Legman. An oldie, 1969. I’m not given to writing book reviews. But I’ve got to express my opinion about this one. I bought it online, so with no peeks inside first. It was … [Read More...]
Ahimsa. What the heck is that?
March 24, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante I know you’re eager to know. One minute, please. Time and again my dear friend Sulekh Jain has astonished me. For 41 years! This time for writing and getting published a detailed, startling book entitled “An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide.” What’s it all about? … [Read More...]
I clean my tongue twice a day. Don’t you?
March 2, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante With 1 photo. Probably not. Only because you’ve never heard of that and are wondering why anybody would bother. Well, let me fill you in. I had never heard of tongue cleaning. Then I got an unusual call. That was about 30 years ago. A man with a strange accent but … [Read More...]
My friend was useful to his last breath.
February 18, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante With 2 photos and an interesting link. I want to tell you how he died, and the extraordinary thing that happened next and how he had arranged that. But I want to protect his privacy and his family’s. So I will call him Harry. Please do not assume anything about where he … [Read More...]
An email from a total stranger. And my reply.
February 2, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante with 1 photo NOTE: this post has three parts. You have to read all three for a full understanding. Hope you get a kick out of it. Here is the remarkable email that came to me right out of the blue. And which made my day. Hello, I have recently found an article about my … [Read More...]
How the Bike has impacted me, you, all of us since the day it was invented
January 15, 2017
By John Guy LaPlante It has impacted how our country has developed, our society and culture, our very way of life, and all in unimaginably good ways. Yet we know so little about all that. But first, I know, yes, I know. It's been a long time but here I am. It's been nearly a month now and … [Read More...]
My oh my, am I in the Christmas spirit. Still!
December 23, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante With 1 photo I had finished at Walmart. It was a dark night a week or so ago, cold and wet, and I had come in to stretch my legs. I had bought a thing or two and was walking out. I spotted a wall, yes a whole wall, lined with Popcorn Kettles. That's what they … [Read More...]
Nine more inventions I’d love to “uninvent”!
December 7, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante This is my second list of "uninventions." It was inspired by essays called that in The New Yorker. You “uninvent” when you believe that something we use or do that is popular and taken for granted is now regrettable and we should turn back the clock on it. You could … [Read More...]
My un-inventions: Readers respond pro & con!
November 19, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante Most interesting, their comments! First, a P.S. from me. I mentioned the Tucker car and its center Cyclops headlight, which pivoted left and right with the front wheels. This made it easier to see going around sharp corners. I said, hey, it shouldn’t take a Thomas Edison … [Read More...]
I’m on an Un-Invent Spree!
November 10, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante This is 2,306 words long. Only fair to tell you what I’ve written about for you. Seven “inventions,” in no way connected except one. What’s that? I think they should no longer exist. We should get rid of them. Should un-invent them! Here are the seven. The penny * College … [Read More...]
My apologies, friends
September 26, 2016
The link to my craigslist listing for the sale of my townhouse, which includes two dozen photos, was wrong! The final tiny "l" on the link got omitted! Shame on me.... Here is the correct link: http://newlondon.craigslist.org/reo/5793881974.html Best! John If you've been waiting … [Read More...]
Off to California I will go. For good.
September 25, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante After years as a southern New Englander, I am frantically preparing to be a Californian. My dream Townhouse in Deep River just went on the market. I am selling it myself as I did my previous condo here at Piano Works two years ago. Piano Works is the condominium … [Read More...]
My Salvation Army weekend–my candid report
August 25, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante With numerous photos Deep River, Conn.--Badly in need of a time-out, I’m back from a long weekend at the Salvation Army Conference Center in Sharon, Mass.—from 11 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Monday. It was terrific, as I expected. I had been there 25 years earlier. The … [Read More...]
Do you say “ain’t” a lot? A little? Never?
August 9, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante It used to depend on where you ranked yourself in society. Well, it “ain’t” that way anymore .Times are a-changing. But language, any language anywhere, is always changing, of course, and that’s what this is about today. I used to abhor that word. And imagine, I just used … [Read More...]
My $30,000 scam…alarming follow-up!
July 10, 2016
Sorry, folks--As some of you noticed this went out with the text missing! Shows you how I screw up now and then. Hope this time you won't be disappointed. So.... By John Guy LaPlante What a surprise! I have come across a terrific expose of what a huge scamming industry is lurking out there and … [Read More...]
Hey, I’ve found that mysterious statuette artist!
July 9, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante With 3 photos Remember my post about the incredible statuettes in Morro Bay, CA where I wintered? With one stone so delicately and dramatically balanced atop another? Some of them four stones high! No cement, no glue, nothing but gravity to keep them standing up. … [Read More...]
My grandson Ryan had landed in jail and…
July 6, 2016
…was calling for my help. From Mexico City! I was thunderstruck. By John Guy LaPlante SCAM: Merrriam-Webster Dictionary: noun, a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation. SCAM: LaPlante: an act so insidious and horrible that you want to wring the perpetrator by the neck! Ryan is 28, … [Read More...]
When Trump got trumped!
May 31, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante As we now know for sure, Trump is going to be the Republican candidate for President. He has stunned us by the tremendous, frenzied (!) following he has whipped up. An amazing following. One for the record books. His constant bellowing, and superman boasting, and wild … [Read More...]
Is being a citizen of TWO countries okay?
May 27, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA– It's called dual citizenship. Morley Safer of Sixty Minutes had it--in the U.S. and Canada where he was born. Thousands of Americans are also citizens of another country. Lots of folks don't know a thing about that fantastic privilege. It's wonderful – well, … [Read More...]
A far-fetched letter of 25 years ago!
May 18, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante Written by me on Jan. 5, 1991. A quarter of a century ago! Extraordinary in its content. And I had zero memory of it! It surprised me. I believe it will surprise you, too. Here it is. Jan. 5, 1991 To:Letters (Editor), Sunday Journal Magazine, Providence, R.I. … [Read More...]
Gosh, what wacky statuettes!
May 13, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante Who created them? Take a look at the pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words. That saying has never been so apt. Yes, who? Are they statuettes? Figurines? Just meaningless piled-up stones? I think they're more than that. What is amazing is how precariously—how … [Read More...]
As of today I have lived xxxxx days. Wow
April 27, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante I intend those xxxxx’s in that headline. I ask you to figure the exact number that should replace those xxxxx’s. I’ll give you clues in a minute. First, a fair warning. I started to write 1,500 words in this post. Hah! The total has shocked me. It’s 6,019 words! I … [Read More...]
May, 1954. Gosh, I got paid $24 for 1,237 words!
April 23, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante My very first magazine sale! I was just rummaging in old, old files and I came upon the magazine that I’m showing you, Profitable Hobbies. It was in its pages that I made my debut as a published writer! I was 24. Yes, I got paid $24 for 1,237 words. Google tells me that … [Read More...]
Hear about the awful Burger King “punking” here?
April 9, 2016
Firefighters and police at the scene. It was midnight. By John Guy LaPlante Photos courtesy of Bay News Morro Bay, CA -- News about it went national… and the manager paid a big price. The punking happened Saturday evening, February 15. I’m publishing it now because I’m finally … [Read More...]
Two encyclopedias going…going…gone. Well, so is it hoped!
April 2, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante I was browsing in the books for sale nook in our Morro Bay Public Library and I spotted these two beautiful sets of encyclopedia for sale. The Collier's, 20 volumes, $3, and the New Book of Knowledge, 21 volumes, $4. So sad. So distressing. I thought I'd weep. How come … [Read More...]
Dealing with a foreign call center. Oh, my!
March 19, 2016
I deal with call centers often--too often. Overseas but set up by American corporations. I call always for a digital problem driving me nuts—something wrong with my computer, or an app, or my cell phone, or some gizmo. Always hoping they'll solve it in a jiffy so that I can get right to work. Of … [Read More...]
Hey, I’m now writing à la hi-tech!
March 8, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante. Yes, after all these years! I have a new way of getting the words down. I can't believe it. You know, I have been writing for more than 75 years. I'm not talking about writing a letter to one of my kids. Or postcards to friends while on a vacation trip. I'm talking about … [Read More...]
Meet “Cuppa Joel,” my Number One Mentor on radio
February 10, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante Morro Bay, CA -- Lucky me! I wish you could get to meet DJ Joel McMickell. Better still, I wish you could hear him on the air. What a good start he has given me. "Cuppa Joel" is his radio monicker. He is the morning man Monday through Friday on 97.3 FM, "The … [Read More...]
Suicide by Santhara? I saw it in India.
January 19, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante You’re wondering, what is Santhara? Simple. Pulling the plug by refusing all food. It's unknown in the United States, but it has taken place in India among Jains for centuries. It's big news there right now and that’s how I thought of writing this. Big news because it is … [Read More...]
My year 2015. All the pluses and minuses!
January 8, 2016
By John Guy LaPlante Dear Friends. It's my great pleasure as always to wish you a Happy New Year. A bit late, I know, but sometimes life intervenes. May your 2016 be filled with many pluses and zero minuses. For years now, it has been my ritual at year's end to give my family and friends … [Read More...]
Is your lovable mutt in fact your slave?
December 15, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante. My friend, Ben Smithson, thinks so. He was surprised how shocked I was when I heard him say pet dogs are really slaves. "Look up ‘slave’ in your dictionary, John. Your best dictionary." He said lots of animals besides dogs are really slaves. How crazy! But I did … [Read More...]
Notice how medical specialties are exploding?
November 30, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante It's amazing how many more kinds of doctors are treating us. Specialists and sub-specialists! Wow! If better care is the result for us, I'm all for it. I'm not sure that's always true. Recently I had to go to a urologist. My first time ever. Too many get-ups … [Read More...]
She’s the one pedaling in front. Finally!
November 23, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante Madison, Wisconsin –I spotted a tandem bike with a couple on board. Of course, the guy was in front and the gal in back. It's the usual. My son Mark, who teaches at the University of Wisconsin here, was driving me to his office. I’m visiting him and Stacie—a … [Read More...]
Our medical care. My gosh, how it’s exploding!
November 1, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante Recently I had to go to a urologist. My first time ever. Too many get-ups during the night! Later I wondered, How many kinds of specialists like that urologist have I gone to see over the years? Umpteen. And counting! Read on and you'll see for yourself the choices we … [Read More...]
Oh, you use just a middle initial? What!?
October 25, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante That doesn't surprise me. Most Americans get along with a middle initial though they have a full middle name. A puny initial has become so common that I’m convinced it’s now unAmerican to flash a middle name. No, no, don’t think I’m crazy. Well, I ‘m a rare one. I have a … [Read More...]
Suicide by Santhara? I saw it going on.
October 17, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante What is Santhara? Simple. Pulling the plug by refusing food. Santhara sounds unusual, I know. I’m telling you about it because it—or something like it—is being used by more and more Americans. Santhara is unknown in the United States, but it has taken place in … [Read More...]
Pope Francis sure missed the boat in D.C.
September 26, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante I felt so badly about that that I immediately dashed off a letter to the editor of the New York Times. Short, sweet, and to the point. No more than 150 words, they say, though often I see that exceeded. They receive so many there's a minimal chance mine will see the light of … [Read More...]
That crazy Spag’s! How I miss it
September 15, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante With six photos Yes, how I miss, as do thousands and thousands of other folks who knew it. Spag's was one of a kind. Impossible for anyone to replicate it. And what a sad and tragic ending it had. I knew it at its greatest. And just saw it. Closed, Empty. Dead! … [Read More...]
My miles, not all good, riding Greyhound
August 25, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante A Greyhound bus cruised by me on I-95 here in Connecticut. And what terrific memories that stirred up. I used to ride Greyhounds a lot. And liked it. Most of the time. I began a Greyhound rider after I retired. I rode Greyhound all across the country and back, … [Read More...]
My best professor ever? Evan Hill!
July 30, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante Out of the blue, a friend asked me, "John, in all your years in school, who was your favorite teacher?” That took some heavy thinking. I've been lucky. Have had many fine teachers. And sure, a few duds. But the best? Then it came to me. Evan Hill. Of course! … [Read More...]
My trip of a lifetime. Anybody’s lifetime!
July 4, 2015
By John Guy LaPlane I'm talking about the incredible and so challenging dream come true that I wrote up in my book, "Around the World at 75. Alone, Dammit!" Yes, alone. And what a shocking development that turned out to be. Because two of us started out! My friend Keith and I. He … [Read More...]
I’m now also a radio host! Would you believe?
May 12, 2015
Readers, please note: This report is belated! Returning home to Deep River, CT, and settling in has been long and exhausting! Sorry. And because of technical difficulties, I can't include for you photos of three of my mentors in this new adventure of mine. I mention two of them below. … [Read More...]
Taylor Newton: Scientist turned unusual social worker
April 13, 2015
By John Guy LaPlante With 3 photos Morro Bay, CA—Make that guerrilla social worker, and I’ll explain in a minute. Taylor is 37. Stands 6 feet 3. He’s lean and muscular. Sports a neat stubble of a beard. Keeps his hair clipped severely right up the sides. Has tattoos and … [Read More...]
