My friend Butch Kronlund was a giant in my life. Literally. Six foot three inches and 220 pounds of heart and humor, Butch had a largeness of spirit, and an enthusiasm for life, that invariably rubbed off on others. And while the cheerful giant I knew is no longer with us, he has left an indelible mark on his family, his friends, his communities, and on me. Butch and I met nearly 40 years ago … more
Category Archives: Personal
Why I am unable to fulfill my pledge to Stanford
Exchange of letters with Stanford, in chronological order from top to bottom Sept. 7, 2023 Jon Denney, Vice President for DevelopmentStanford University, Office of Development Dear Mr. Denney, Thank you for your letter reminding me of the current balance on my pledge to Stanford. I write to explain why I am unable to fulfill my obligation. I face an ethical dilemma. Do I fulfill my financial promise to Stanford and allow my funds to be … more
Wedding Poems
somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond any experience, your eyes have their silence: in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,or which i cannot touch because they are too near your slightest look will easily unclose me though i have closed myself as fingers,you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens(touching skillfully, mysteriously) her first rose or if your wish be to close … more
Confessions of a Political Convert
(Originally published in The Santa Barbara Independent, March 30, 1989) Several months ago, David Hardy, former staff assistant to former Supervisor David Yager, wrote a provocative piece about his experiences in county government. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Santa Barbara without adding to the archive of former staff assistants. You learn a lot working for a state politician, or for that matter any politician. Good things, like how to light a fire under … more
Protected: Dissonance Outline
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DeLapa Writing Collection
Professional – LandWatch Professional – Sea Studios Professional – Other Personal
A Celebration of Gary K. Hart
May 7, 2022 Remarks of Michael DeLapa Good afternoon. My name is Michael DeLapa and I’m a friend of Gary Hart and the Hart family. I want to make sure that’s on the record because it may not be entirely clear as I reflect on my relationship with Gary. On behalf of Gary and Cary, their daughters Elissa, Katherine, and Laura, their families, and the extended Hart family, I would like to welcome you today … more
Protected: Tears for Lost Friends
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A Sea of Little Fires
In the Steve Goodman documentary, included in the DVD “Steve Goodman Live From Austin City Limits… And More,” Kris Kristofferson refers to a poem by a South American poet to explain what Steve was like [see 29:40 on YouTube]. The poem talks about a man who scales a high mountain and looks down upon all the people on earth and sees them each like a spark of flame. “Some of the flames simply burn, others … more
On Death
Late Fragment By Raymond Carter And did you get whatyou wanted from this life, even so?I did.And what did you want?To call myself beloved, to feel myselfbeloved on the earth. Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep By Mary Elizabeth Frye Do not stand at my grave and weepI am not there; I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow,I am the diamond glints on snow,I am the sun on ripened grain,I … more