Before the Day Asks Anything of Us

September 23, 2026September 19, 2026BenjaminLeave a comment

Before the telephone rings, the messages arrive, and the world begins making its demands, the morning gives us a few quiet moments to gather ourselves. We should not hurry past them.

September 23, 2026

Good morning, my friend.

There is a small stretch of time each morning before the day begins asking things of us.

Before the telephone rings. Before the messages arrive. Before the headlines tell us what we should fear, question, or become angry about. For a few precious moments, there is only the sound of coffee pouring into a cup and the quiet promise of another day.

We often hurry through that silence without realizing how valuable it is. We begin making lists in our minds. We remember what we forgot yesterday and worry about what might go wrong today. Before our feet have carried us very far, our thoughts have already run several miles ahead.

But perhaps the morning was never meant to be a starting gun.

Perhaps it was given to us as a gentle place to gather ourselves—to sit quietly, take a breath, and remember that we are more than our obligations. We are more than the chores waiting in the next room, the appointments written on the calendar, or the problems we have not yet solved.

The world will make its demands soon enough. It always does. But it can wait long enough for us to finish one warm cup of coffee.

So, this morning, give yourself permission to remain still for another moment. Notice the light coming through the window. Listen for the familiar sounds of home. Think of someone who has made your life better simply by being part of it.

You do not have to accomplish anything during these few quiet minutes. You only have to be present for them.

Before the day asks something of you, allow the morning to give something to you: a little peace, a little strength, and another reason to be grateful you are here.

Until tomorrow, may your coffee stay warm, your memories stay close, and your hope stay strong. The coffee will be waiting again tomorrow, and I hope you’ll be here to share it with me.

The world will begin asking things of you soon enough. But before it does, sit quietly, take another sip, and allow the morning to give something back. Today’s Morning Coffee is waiting.

Morning Coffee: The Sausage Patties

September 19, 2026September 17, 2026BenjaminLeave a comment

Whatever the reason, I’ll be back next weekend. Our waitress can probably write down my order now.

For those who have been around a time or two, you know where to find Steve and me on a weekend morning. For anyone just arriving, let me bring you up to speed.

Every weekend, usually Saturday or Sunday and sometimes both, we visit the same local restaurant. Our waitress looks for us. By the time we settle into a booth, she knows what I’m having, and our drinks are already on their way.

Three Sausage Patties, three eggs, wheat toast, hash browns, and a bowl of gravy. That is my order. Steve is more complicated. He studies the menu, makes a decision, changes his mind, and studies it again.

My order never changes. There’s comfort in that, especially at the end of a week when everything else seems to have demanded a decision.

I should explain the capital letters. Those Sausage Patties deserve them. They are, as we used to say when I was growing up, to die for. Back then, we said that about all sorts of things. These days, I’m happy just to get up on a weekend morning and go have breakfast.

I think fennel is part of what makes them so good. At least, that’s the word I intend to say. At the restaurant, Steve and I sometimes call it “fentanyl” by mistake. Then one of us catches it, and we both start laughing. Our waitress knows perfectly well what we mean, though I suspect she enjoys watching us try to get the word right.

The mix-up has become part of our weekend routine. I can forget the name of the seasoning halfway through a sentence, but I never forget how those patties taste. By midweek, I’m already looking forward to their return performance.

Of course, the sausage alone wouldn’t make this our place. Our waitress remembers us. Steve gets all the time he needs with the menu. I get to sit across from him while our breakfast arrives, knowing that for a little while, there is nowhere else we need to be.

It’s a simple pleasure. That may be why I keep coming back to it.

Next weekend, Steve will open the menu and consider his options. Our waitress will look at me, pick up her pen, and smile. She already knows. And if I happen to mention the wrong herb again, I know she’ll know what I mean. Her name? Christin-a.

Morning Coffee — A Fresh Cup, A Fresh Start

September 14, 2026September 12, 2026BenjaminLeave a comment

Monday gives us something yesterday cannot—a fresh opportunity. We cannot rewrite what has already happened, but we can decide what happens next.

By Benjamin Groff II GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2026
September 14, 2026

There is something forgiving about Monday morning.

close up shot of a cup of coffee — _{^{Photo by hello aesthe on Pexels.com}}

It doesn’t always feel that way, of course. Monday has developed a reputation for being the day nobody particularly wants to see coming. The alarm seems louder, the bed feels more comfortable, and that first cup of coffee often carries considerably more responsibility than coffee should ever be expected to handle.

But perhaps Monday deserves another look.

Monday is another beginning.

Whatever went wrong last week has already happened. Whatever we didn’t finish is waiting for another attempt. The words we wish we had said differently cannot be pulled back, but the next words out of our mouths can be kinder.

Life gives us remarkably few opportunities to change yesterday.

It gives us countless opportunities to change today.

That is worth remembering as we sit with our coffee this morning.

Maybe you have been carrying something around that has become heavier than it needs to be. A disagreement. A disappointment. An unfinished task. Something you have been putting off because beginning it seems harder than continuing to avoid it.

Monday may be as good a day as any to set it down, straighten it out, or simply begin again.

You don’t have to repair your entire life before lunch.

Sometimes progress is nothing more dramatic than making the phone call, answering the message, washing the dishes, opening the curtains, or finally taking the first step toward something you have been thinking about for weeks.

Small beginnings still count.

We tend to celebrate the grand accomplishments because they are easy to see. But nearly every great accomplishment started somewhere very ordinary—with someone deciding, on an otherwise unremarkable morning, that today they would try.

Perhaps that is Monday’s real gift.

It arrives whether we are ready for it or not and quietly places another blank page in front of us.

So pour the coffee.

Take your time with the first few sips.

Then decide what deserves another chance today.

It might be a project.

It might be a relationship.

It might simply be you.

Whatever it is, remember this: starting over does not mean you failed.

Sometimes it simply means you learned enough from yesterday to approach today differently.

And that sounds like a pretty good reason to raise the coffee cup.

Have a wonderful Monday, and make something good out of the day in front of you.

There are mornings when the coffee tastes exactly the same as it did yesterday, but somehow the morning itself feels different.

September 10, 2026September 7, 2026BenjaminLeave a comment

Some of life’s most meaningful moments do not announce themselves when they arrive. They are found in familiar voices, quiet mornings, ordinary routines, and the people beside us. Sometimes the moments we barely notice today become the memories we treasure most tomorrow.

September 10, 2026

Maybe it is the light coming through the window. Maybe it is a memory that wandered in before we were fully awake. Or maybe it is simply one of those days when we notice the little things we usually hurry past.

That first warm cup in our hands.

man hand over vintage photograph in book — ^{_{Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com}}

The familiar chair.

The quiet hum of the house.

A dog stretching somewhere nearby.

The sound of the world beginning another day.

We spend so much of our lives looking ahead that we sometimes forget how much of life is actually built from ordinary moments. The grand occasions certainly matter, but they are surprisingly few. Most of our lives are made up of thousands of small mornings, simple conversations, familiar faces, and routines we rarely think twice about.

Until one day we miss them.

That is when we discover that ordinary never really meant unimportant.

Some of the things I remember most clearly from years gone by would have seemed completely insignificant at the time. A voice from another room. Someone sitting at the kitchen table. A familiar laugh. A car pulling into the driveway. Someone saying, “Come on, let’s go.”

Nothing dramatic.

Nothing anyone would have thought needed preserving.

Yet somehow those are the moments that remain.

Maybe that is something worth remembering this morning.

There may be something happening around you today that feels completely ordinary. You may not photograph it. You may never write about it. You probably will not even recognize its importance while it is happening.

But someday, it may become one of the moments you would give almost anything to experience once more.

So enjoy your coffee.

light man coffee cup — _{^{Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com}}

Listen to the voices around you.

Notice the people who share your day.

And whenever possible, linger just a little longer.

Because while we are busy waiting for the memorable moments of life to arrive, some of them are already happening right in front of us.

Have a wonderful morning, and may your coffee be warm, your memories be kind, and your ordinary moments become something worth remembering.

— Morning Coffee
benandsteve.com

Morning Coffee — And Then Tuesday Came…

August 25, 2026August 13, 2026Benjamin2 Comments

Sometimes the best thing a morning can bring is absolutely nothing extraordinary. An ordinary Tuesday, a familiar chair, a dog underfoot, and a warm cup of coffee can remind us that the everyday moments are often the ones holding our lives together.

Morning Coffee — August 25, 2026

By Benjamin Groff II GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2026

August 25, 2026

There is something wonderfully dependable about an ordinary Tuesday.

elegant coffee mug with coffee beans on dark background — _{^{Photo by Nikhil Choudhary on Pexels.com}}

It doesn’t arrive with a marching band. There are usually no balloons tied to the mailbox, nobody sends you a card congratulating you for making it, and unless you’ve made special plans, Tuesday doesn’t expect very much from you.

It simply shows up.

And sometimes, that is exactly what we need.

This morning, the coffee pot doesn’t know where I’ve been. It doesn’t care how many miles I’ve traveled, what happened yesterday, or what might be waiting tomorrow.

Its job is remarkably simple.

Make coffee.

I appreciate that kind of dependability.

There are times in our lives when everything seems important. Every telephone call matters. Every appointment has to be remembered. Every mile has a destination, and every day on the calendar has something written beside it.

Then eventually, along comes an ordinary morning.

You wake up.

You shuffle toward the kitchen.

You put on the coffee.

Maybe the dog looks at you as though breakfast is already fifteen minutes late.

You look out the window and discover that the world managed to keep turning while you were asleep.

And suddenly the biggest decision facing you might be whether you want another cup.

Those ordinary mornings don’t receive enough credit.

We spend so much of our lives waiting for the big things—the vacation, the birthday, the reunion, the promotion, the holiday, the celebration—that we sometimes overlook the hundreds of perfectly ordinary days holding everything together.

But those are the days where most of life actually happens.

Tuesday morning coffee.

A familiar chair.

A dog underfoot.

Someone you love somewhere nearby.

A little sunlight coming through the window.

Nothing remarkable enough to make the evening news, but everything important enough to make a life.

Maybe that’s why I’ve grown to appreciate ordinary things so much.

They don’t demand anything from us.

They simply remind us that we’re still here.

There are chores to do today. There will probably be something that doesn’t go according to plan. Somebody somewhere will irritate us. Something will make us laugh. We’ll forget why we walked into a room at least once, and we’ll probably remember something important five minutes after we should have remembered it.

In other words, it should be a perfectly normal day.

And this morning, that sounds pretty good to me.

So here’s to Tuesday.

Here’s to the coffee pot doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Here’s to familiar faces, ordinary conversations, dogs who believe every day should revolve around them, and all those little moments we rarely recognize as blessings until someday we miss them.

You don’t need something extraordinary to happen today for today to matter.

Sometimes the ordinary day is the gift.

Pour yourself another cup.

Tuesday has arrived.

And that’s news enough for this morning.

Until tomorrow, may your coffee stay warm, your memories stay close, and your hope stay strong. The coffee will be waiting again tomorrow, and I hope you’ll be here to share it with me.

— Benjamin Groff II
Morning Coffee at benandsteve.com

They’re Going In Through the Front

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026BenjaminLeave a comment

Thoughts, fears, and snacks in the days before neck surgery

On July 24, I had back surgery—and for once in my life, something involving surgeons and sharp objects worked exactly as advertised. The surgery was an absolute success. It relieved pain I had carried with me for years, pain that had eventually relegated me to a chair or a bed like a piece of well-worn furniture. Since then, I’ve been more active, more mobile, and reminded of what it feels like to move without negotiating with my spine first.

The issues I’m dealing with now are the natural result of a life lived in full living color—action-packed, unscripted, and with me doing all my own stunts. Sadly, I didn’t think to record any of them. Back when I was chasing crooks down alleys, sliding across car hoods, and arresting bad guys, there were no body cams strapped to our chests and no doorbell cameras documenting every questionable decision. In hindsight, that may be a blessing. People behaved differently then. The folks we pulled over or chased didn’t try out legal theories they learned on YouTube. If someone even hinted at going the “sovereign citizen” route, they’d likely find themselves exiting the vehicle through the driver’s window and reconsidering their life choices on the pavement. Judges were less impressed by nonsense back then, too. Jail cells and fines were far more common than viral videos.

Sometimes I wonder if all the bumps, bruises, and hard knocks were worth it. Then I remember a frightened grandmother who was grateful we showed up and took the bad guy away—and I know it was.

But I’m getting sidetracked. Apparently, even when facing surgery, I can still drift into police stories.

So, back to the main event.

On March 5, I’ll be going in for cervical disc replacement—C3, C4, and C5—each swapped out for shiny artificial parts, with the added bonus of the surgeon filing down a few rough bone spurs while he’s in there. The procedure requires entering through the front of the neck. Which to me translates to “the throat.” A place I use regularly for swallowing, breathing, and moving blood around—activities I’d like to continue uninterrupted.

Naturally, I have concerns. One poorly timed sneeze. A joke told in the operating room. A momentary slip of the knife. Any of those could turn a routine procedure into a very different blog post.

Oddly enough, what concerns me most is how fast my insurance company approved the surgery. Six days. Six. Anyone who’s ever dealt with insurance knows that’s suspiciously efficient. Normally, approvals involve paperwork, appeals, second opinions, and possibly a séance. So now I’m left wondering: do they know something I don’t? Is this a cost-saving measure? A quiet attempt to write me off while I’m still in beta?

Which is unfortunate, because I’m still working on a book—and I haven’t even finished the first section. I’ve got way too much left to say.

My anxiety is manageable, but my paranoia is stretching its legs. Even my dog has noticed. He’s been sticking close, watching me like these might be my final days…or possibly because I’m giving him more snacks than Steve. It’s hard to say.

Whatever the case, I’m choosing to approach this with humor. It’s what got me through a police career. “Sick humor,” they call it—and yes, I’m going to need every bit of it between now and March 5.

March 5 should be a perfectly good day. Except history keeps raising an eyebrow.

The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770. Patsy Cline—one of my favorite country artists—along with Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins, died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963. BOAC Flight 911 crashed into Mount Fuji on March 5, 1966, killing 124 people.

Still, I’m choosing optimism.

I’m determined that this March 5 will be remembered for something else entirely—a day when the pain that has severe pain in my right arm finally loosens its grip. A day when modern medicine does exactly what it promises. A day when the feeling of numbness, electrical pulses, pain, and partial paralysis ends.

Unless, of course, I crash into Mount Fuji.

But I don’t think my insurance covers that.

Top Financial Worries in 2025: What You Need to Know

October 12, 2025September 8, 2025BenjaminLeave a comment

2–3 minutes

The Biggest Concern Facing People Today

We live in a world filled with constant change and uncertainty. One theme keeps bubbling to the surface no matter where you look: economic anxiety. Money-related worries top the charts of what keeps people awake at night. These concerns range from the price of groceries to the dream of owning a home.

What the Numbers Say

A Gallup poll from April 2025 found that:

60% of Americans worry “a great deal” about the economy.
59% lose sleep over healthcare costs.
56% are stressed about inflation.
Nearly half worry about Social Security and the federal budget deficit.

Globally, it’s no different. According to Ipsos, the leading concerns include inflation (30%), poverty (29%), unemployment (28%), and corruption (26%).

To make matters feel even heavier, 77% of Americans believe it’s harder to buy a home today. They feel it’s more difficult than it was for past generations. That frustration touches nearly every household—young people trying to buy, older adults trying to downsize, and families squeezed in between.

How It Touches Our Daily Lives

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This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people. Rising rent, higher grocery bills, climbing medical costs—each of these chip away at security. Families cut corners, young people delay milestones like marriage or kids, and many retirees wonder if their savings will last.

Economic stress also spills into mental health, relationships, and communities. When you feel like you’re always one paycheck away from disaster, it’s hard to focus on thriving—you’re stuck surviving.

What You Can Do

While we can’t solve inflation or rewrite housing policy alone, there are small, powerful steps we can take:

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Focus on control: Create a budget and stick to it. Even small wins matter.
Cut back strategically: Trim unnecessary expenses, but give yourself permission to keep the things that bring you joy.
Tap into resources: Community groups, food banks, and local organizations often have programs to ease the burden.
Stay connected: Talking about financial stress reduces shame. You’re not alone.

The Takeaway

The economy, healthcare, inflation—they’re big, intimidating problems. But your response doesn’t have to be. Focus on what you can control. Find support in your community. Remember: sometimes resilience comes not from having more, but from facing less with wisdom, planning, and hope.

Why Blogging Matters: A Personal Reflection

September 27, 2025August 31, 2025Benjamin2 Comments

The House That Heals: A Story of Acceptance and Memory

September 25, 2025August 30, 2025Benjamin1 Comment

1–2 minutes

The House on Brookfield Lane

Ethan was only a few miles from home when it happened. A sudden dizziness swept over him, the road blurred, and he pulled his car to the side. When the fog lifted, he realized he couldn’t remember who he was, or where he had been going. All he had was a backpack, a half-filled journal, and the overwhelming instinct that he needed to find shelter.

He wandered until he reached Brookfield Lane, where an old house loomed against the evening sky. As a child, Ethan had feared this place. It was where shadows seemed darker, where kids whispered about ghosts and curses. Though he didn’t remember that fear, his body did—a chill ran through him as he stepped onto the porch. Still, with nowhere else to go, he knocked.

An elderly woman opened the door. “Come in, child,” she said softly, as though she had been expecting him. Ethan stayed, helping with small chores, sharing meals, and slowly growing comfortable in the quiet warmth of the house. In the evenings, they talked. She asked about his life. Even though he couldn’t remember, fragments began returning. He recalled his laughter with friends, the smell of campus coffee shops, and the long nights of studying. Then, something deeper surfaced. It was the secret he had held since high school. He thought he’d never say it aloud. He told her he was gay. Instead of fear or judgment, she smiled. “Love,” she said, “is never something to be ashamed of. It’s what keeps this house alive.”

When his memory finally returned, it shocked everyone. Ethan’s parents had always thought of Brookfield Lane as cursed, a place to avoid. They couldn’t understand how the son they worried about had found comfort, truth, and acceptance there. For Ethan, though, the house became more than a place of fear. It became the place where he embraced who he was. He learned that what we fear most sometimes holds the power to set us free.

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025

Uncommon Phobias That Sound Made Up

September 9, 2025August 22, 2025Benjamin8 Comments

2–3 minutes

The Strangest Phobias You’ve Never Heard Of

When most people think of phobias, the usual suspects come to mind: spiders, heights, flying, or public speaking. But the human mind is infinitely complex, and so are the fears it produces. Beyond the common anxieties, there are phobias so rare and oddly specific. They almost sound made up, yet they’re very real for those who experience them.

1. Arachibutyrophobia – Fear of Peanut Butter Sticking to the Roof of the Mouth

It sounds funny at first, but this phobia can cause genuine distress. For those who suffer from it, even the thought of peanut butter clinging to their mouth can spark panic. It often extends to sticky foods in general.

2. Nomophobia – Fear of Being Without a Cell Phone

A very modern fear, nomophobia describes the anxiety people feel when separated from their phones. This can occur when the battery dies, the signal drops, or when the device is misplaced. In an age where smartphones are lifelines, this phobia has become increasingly common.

3. Xanthophobia – Fear of the Color Yellow

While most associate yellow with warmth and cheer, some people experience overwhelming anxiety when exposed to the color. It can be triggered by objects, clothing, or even sunshine itself.

4. Papaphobia – Fear of the Pope

Unusual, yes, but historically documented. For those with papaphobia, even images or references to the Pope can cause panic. It’s believed to stem from a mix of religious trauma and authority-based fears.

5. Pogonophobia – Fear of Beards

In some cases, beards are more than just a fashion statement—they’re a trigger. This phobia can cause sufferers to avoid contact with people who have facial hair. This avoidance is rooted in past negative experiences or simply an overwhelming sense of discomfort.

6. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia – Fear of Long Words

Ironically named, this phobia is real and involves anxiety around long, complex words. Sufferers feel uneasy in academic or professional settings where such terms are common.

7. Eisoptrophobia – Fear of Mirrors

This phobia goes beyond superstition. For some, looking into mirrors triggers deep anxiety. This anxiety is linked to fears of self-perception. It is also connected to superstition. There is also the uncanny feeling of seeing one’s reflection.

Why These Fears Matter

While some of these phobias sound absurd to outsiders, they are real, debilitating conditions for those who experience them. They highlight the diverse ways our minds process fear. These remind us that what seems laughable to one person feel life-altering to another.

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025

What Will Happen If PLANS To End Social Security Happens?

August 28, 2025August 15, 2025Benjamin2 Comments

3–4 minutes

If Social Security were eliminated, the effects would be wide-ranging. It would touch nearly every part of American life. This is especially true for retirees, people with disabilities, and survivors of deceased workers. Here’s how it would unfold:

1. Immediate Loss of Income for Millions

Social Security now provides monthly benefits to over 70 million Americans, including retirees, disabled individuals, and surviving spouses or children. Without it, many of these households would lose their main or only source of income overnight.

Retirees: Many older Americans rely on Social Security for the bulk of their income—especially those without significant savings or pensions.
Survivors: Widows, widowers, and children who now get survivor benefits would lose critical support.
Disabled workers: People incapable of work due to disability would lose a major safety net.

2. Surge in Poverty Rates

Before Social Security, poverty among the elderly was extremely high—estimates put it at around 35–50%. The program cut that rate dramatically. Without it, poverty rates among older Americans will return to pre-1935 levels.

3. Strain on Families and Local Communities

The financial burden of caring for elderly or disabled relatives would shift heavily to families. Those without family support be forced into underfunded state programs or charitable care.

Families need to delay retirement, take on extra jobs, or house multiple generations under one roof.
Local charities and churches would see rising demand for basic necessities like food and shelter.

4. Ripple Effects on the Economy

Social Security benefits aren’t just “checks”—they fuel spending in local economies. Without those payments:

Rural and small-town economies (which often have higher percentages of retirees) see sharp declines in consumer spending.
Certain industries—especially healthcare, retail, and housing—would feel immediate impacts.

5. Political and Social Fallout

Because Social Security is one of the most popular federal programs, ending it would be politically explosive. It would lead to intense public backlash, large-scale protests, and significant shifts in voter behavior.

States try to create their own replacement programs, but poorer states struggle to fund them.
The wealth gap would widen sharply. Those without private retirement savings would be left with little to no safety net.

POLITICS

Social Security has existed for 90 years. Why it is more threatened than ever

Click above headline for AP Story on how Social Security is threatened now more than ever!

The Social Security Administration (SSA) stands proud according to a press release by the Trump Administration.

August 2025 commemorates its 90th anniversary. It marks its unwavering commitment to the financial security and dignity of millions of Americans. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. Since then, the program has grown into one of the most successful and trusted institutions in American history.

“For 90 years, Social Security has stood as a promise kept. It ensures that older Americans have the support they need. It also aids people with disabilities, as well as families facing loss,”

said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano.

“As we honor this legacy, we are also building a future. This future is where service is faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever before. Through President Trump’s vision, we are protecting and preserving Social Security. We achieve this by delivering extraordinary customer service through technological improvements. Enhanced process engineering also plays a crucial role.”

In an open letter to the American people, Commissioner Bisignano emphasized the importance of Social Security. He highlighted his commitment to strengthening the agency. He also mentioned the significant improvements to customer service achieved in his first 100 days in office.

Read the Letter: Commissioner Bisignano’s Open Letter to the American People

Today, Commissioner Bisignano also joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House. The President issued a presidential proclamation. He recommitted to always defend Social Security. He recognized the countless contributions of every American senior. They have invested their time, talent, and resources into our Nation’s future.

Read the Proclamation: Presidential Proclamation: 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act

I Will Be Back…Or So They Tell Me – A Note Before Surgery

July 23, 2025July 19, 2025Benjamin3 Comments

2–3 minutes

A Note From Benjamin Before Surgery

By the time this post appears, I’ll be less than twenty-four hours from checking into the hospital. I have a scheduled lower back surgery. This operation was first approved in 2020. It was postponed due to the overwhelming strain COVID-19 placed on hospitals at the time.

Now, five years later, the time has come. The need for the surgery has grown unavoidable. It has reached a point where it significantly impacts not just my own quality of life. It also affects those around me—including our ever-faithful dog, Otis. After careful planning and the support of some very good people, the time feels right.

To keep the blog active, I’ve written and scheduled daily posts in advance. These will post – daily over the coming weeks as planned. Once I’m fully back to writing day-to-day pieces again, I’ll let everyone know. That said, if something urgent comes up, I will post an update. If it is of national interest and inspires me, I will do so before then. This is, of course, recovery allowing.

In the meantime, I’m grateful for the many kind gestures, well-wishes, and thoughtful messages already sent. That encouragement has made all the difference. I’m especially mindful of my partner, Steven. He will be holding down the fort. This will be happening while I’m in the care of a trusted medical team. He’ll be shuttling between the hospital and home, making sure Otis gets fresh air, snacks, and his favorite TV channel. We’ve jokingly planned it like a household awaiting a newborn—minus the diapers, thank goodness.

The procedure itself will be performed by Dr. Christopher Yeung, a well-regarded spine surgeon whose experience includes working with multiple professional sports teams. After an in-depth consultation, I felt confident in both his knowledge and his approach. The surgery, known as an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, involves accessing the lower spine through the abdomen. An access surgeon helps to safely move internal structures aside. It’s a careful, technical procedure. The recovery is long. It begins with just a few steps on day one and builds slowly through physical therapy. This process continues in the weeks and months ahead.

So for now, I’m focused on the first step: getting checked in and moving ahead. I’m hoping for deep sedation, steady hands, and a smooth path to healing.

Thanks again for walking alongside me, even if just in spirit. I’ll be back in touch when the fog begins to lift.

Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Legacy

July 21, 2025July 18, 2025Benjamin3 Comments

3–4 minutes

A Note from the Pandemic

I was being driven to an appointment earlier this week when a reminder flashed on my phone. It was one of those “On This Day” memories—a flashback from five years ago. It was a note I had posted on social media during one of the darkest times I can remember.

It read:

Today, the national death toll in the United States reached 80,000. In the state where I live, the deaths are many. They have brought in refrigerated trailers to hold the bodies. The mortuaries have more bodies than they can carry. The coroner’s office is over capacity. It is being reported that 100 people died in the city where I live yesterday alone.

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That note was one of millions posted by people around the world that day. It was part of a collective cry for help. It was a shared testimony during a global crisis. The crisis tested the very core of our humanity. The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t just a health emergency—it was a historical reckoning.

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), first identified in late 2019, swept through cities and countries with terrifying speed. It took the lives of the elderly and the young. It didn’t care about borders or status. It wasn’t limited by language, ideology, or belief. It was an indiscriminate invader—silent, invisible, and merciless.

Hospitals filled to capacity. ICUs ran out of beds and ventilators. Nurses worked 12–16 hour shifts in full protective gear. They returned the next day knowing more patients would be gone. They feared coworkers would be gone too. Some had to reuse PPE, others never had proper protection at all. Entire medical teams were decimated. The faces behind the masks—so many of them never seen again by their loved ones.

In some areas, morgues overflowed, and refrigerated trucks became temporary storage for the deceased. Funeral homes struggled to keep up. Families said goodbye to loved ones through screens or from behind glass, incapable of touching them one last time.

Masks became a symbol—of protection, of politics, of protest. While many wore them out of care for others, others rejected them, fueled by fear, misinformation, or political agendas. What should have been a unified public health response fractured along ideological lines.

The spread of disinformation only made things worse. Some media personalities claimed the virus was “just a flu.” Other public figures suggested it was a hoax designed for political or financial gain. Some of those very same people later contracted the virus. A few died from it—some reportedly urging others to take it seriously with their final breaths.

For me, it was personal. I knew approximately twenty—or more—people I had known for most of my life who died from COVID-19. Every day brought another notice: a friend from childhood, a neighbor, someone from church, a former coworker. Sometimes I would hear from relatives who lost someone. Other times, I’d check news from back home and learn that yet another familiar name had been claimed. In places I had once lived, people I had once shared moments and memories with—gone. The virus wasn’t abstract. It carved itself into the story of my life, my family, my friends, and their families.

Vaccines would eventually arrive, faster than any in modern history. But by then, millions had died, and countless others were left with long-term effects—some still suffering today. As of mid-2025, more than 1.1 million Americans have died from COVID-19. Globally, the death toll has surpassed 7 million, though some estimates suggest the real numbers were even higher.

That reminder on my phone was more than just a memory. It was a marker—a scar from a time we lived through together, yet each experienced in our own way.

Let it be said clearly: the virus was real. The loss was real. And for many, the grief still is.

Let that note stand as a record not just of tragedy, but of resilience. Of what we went through—and of what we must remember. Because forgetting invites the risk of repeating it all over again.

Man From MRI Accident – Update

July 21, 2025Benjamin3 Comments

A sad update, the man in a report here a few days ago has died.

61‑year‑old Keith McAllister died after being violently pulled into the MRI scanner at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, Long Island. He entered the MRI room on Wednesday, July 16, while his wife was undergoing a knee scan. McAllister wore a heavy-weight-training chain (~9–20 lb/4–9 kg) around his neck. Despite prior discussions about the chain with staff, he was allowed in.

When he approached the machine, the strong magnetic field latched onto the chain, yanking him into the scanner. His wife and the technician attempted to free him, but he collapsed in her arms. She recounted shouting, “Turn this damn thing off! Call 911!”.

McAllister was rushed to the hospital, where he suffered multiple heart attacks and was pronounced dead on Thursday, July 17. His wife emotionally described the moment: “He went limp in my arms… I can’t wrap my head around it”.

The Nassau County Police Department is investigating the incident, and experts are emphasizing the critical need for strict MRI safety protocols, especially regarding metal screening. Past tragedies—including a 2001 case involving a child and an oxygen tank—highlight the grave risks of metallic objects around MRI machines.

Summary of key points:

Victim: Keith McAllister, 61

Date of incident: July 16, 2025 (MRI room event)

Date of death: July 17, 2025 (hospital)

Cause: Pulled into MRI by heavy metal chain (~9–20 lb)

Response: Wife and technician tried to assist; police are now investigating

Safety concern: Highlights critical importance of enforcing metal screening protocols

www.cnn.com/2025/07/20/health/mri-machine-death-long-island

Going Into A Restricted Area While Wearing Metal – An MRI Nightmare

July 19, 2025July 17, 2025BenjaminLeave a comment

A Man Entered An MRI Room That He Was Not Approved To Enter. It Nearly Killed Him.

2–3 minutes

The Necklace That Shouldn’t Have Been Worn: A Tragic MRI Reminder

“Do you have any metal on your body?”

It’s a question you’ve probably heard before entering a medical imaging room. It might sound routine—almost too simple to matter. But as one man in Westbury, New York, learned the hard way, ignoring that question can be deadly.

Earlier this week, a 61-year-old man walked into an MRI suite at Nassau Open MRI. He wasn’t a patient—he was a visitor. And according to reports, he entered without permission, unaware (or perhaps unconcerned) about the danger waiting behind the door.

Around his neck hung a heavy metal necklace.

That necklace would soon become a missile.

As the MRI machine powered up, the magnetic field—a force thousands of times stronger than Earth’s natural magnetism—ripped the necklace forward, pulling the man violently toward the magnet. The result was catastrophic. He suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

You can read the full report here from the Miami Herald:

🔗 Visitor wearing necklace critically injured inside New York MRI room

Why This Happened—and Why It Shouldn’t Have

MRI machines are marvels of modern medicine. They allow doctors to see deep into the body without needing to cut it open. Yet, the science that powers them relies on an immense magnetic force.

That’s why medical staff ask the same questions again and again:

Do you have any metal implants?
Are you wearing jewelry?
Have you removed your belt, watch, or hairpin?

These aren’t suggestions. They’re essential precautions to prevent precisely what happened in Westbury.

The necklace that injured this man was an everyday item—something many of us wear without a second thought.

But in the MRI room, it was anything but ordinary.

A Reminder Worth Heeding

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder:

Always follow MRI safety guidelines. Always respect warning signs. Never assume a machine like this can be taken lightly.

The man who wore the necklace didn’t mean to cause harm. The laws of physics don’t care about intent. In an MRI suite, metal is never safe unless it’s been declared and cleared.

So next time someone asks you,

“Do you have any metal on your body?”

Don’t shrug it off.

Your answer will save your life!

You can read the full report here from the Miami Herald:

🔗 Visitor wearing necklace critically injured inside New York MRI room