Author Archives: Marty Ryan

Jambalaya

Joseph Charles Ryan 1957-2022 My baby brother died. That wasn’t supposed to happen. The eldest should always go first. In our family, the eldest are still living, while the last four have gone to wherever little brothers go. Joe asked … Continue reading

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Pigs, Poker, and Prisons

Rev. Carlos Jayne, 1935-2022 RIP As he lived, he died – fighting authority! Legendary NFL Coach Bill Parcells said that “A friend’s someone that knows all about you and likes you anyway.” Carlos and I liked each other, even though … Continue reading

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Play Ball!

One summer evening in the 1980s, I left work on the second shift in Denison, and on my way home to Vail I turned on the radio to listen to the Kansas City Royals hosting the Texas Rangers. It was … Continue reading

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Please Hold

Alexander Graham Bell would be disappointed if he was alive today. His great invention, the telephone is today just a ‘phone.’ You can use your phone to take photos, shoot a movie, watch a baseball game, text another person on … Continue reading

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No One Wants Your Organs

On the anniversary of my mother’s death, I received a brochure in the mail advertising cremation services.  Is this the epitome of irony? I suppose it is some sort of sign that I need to complete my last will and … Continue reading

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Review Of A Review

The last time I wrote a book review was in Sister Isaiah’s English class as a freshman in high school. I read short book reviews in the Sunday Des Moines Register most weeks. I haven’t read an in-depth review in … Continue reading

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