Essays & Other Articles
This section archives articles and essays on topics that don’t quite fit into the other categories on energy. They include articles on high-mileage vehicles, chain-reaction accidents, our neighbors, Tule fog, and . . . well . . . other subjects.
Shoulder Surgery—Yep, Sometimes It’s Needed
By
Paul Gipe
This may be more than you want to know. I had my doubts about my upcoming surgery for a torn rotator cuff. It had been six months since I injured myself and I was beginning to think that maybe I didn’t need surgery. After all, when asked about my pain I said it was zero. My shoulder seldom hurt except when I did something wrong. I made an effort not to do those things. You learn pretty quickly what not to do to avoid pain.

Preben Maegaard—the Father of the Folkecenter–Has Died
By
Paul Gipe
Preben Maegaard died 25 March 2021. He was 84. His death likely won’t mean much to most North Americans. After all he wasn’t a household name like reality TV stars Caitlyn Jenner or Kanye West. It should.

We apologize for any inconvenience
By
Paul Gipe
Times are hard. Covid-19 stalks the land. People are out of work. Homelessness is rising. Politics is splitting the country apart. And now this!

2020 Democratic Party Platform on Renewable Energy
By
Paul Gipe
The campaign for President of the United States is in full swing. We’ve endured two–mostly virtual–national party conventions. (Full disclosure: I didn’t watch either.) And the parties have issued the platforms on which they will campaign.

Report of My Death is Greatly Exaggerated
By
Paul Gipe
The Daily Examiner, part of the Murdoch News Corp empire in New South Wales, reported my demise on 13 August.

Covid-19: Back with a Vengeance–National Guard Called in
By
Paul Gipe
It’s bad here. How bad is it? California’s National Guard was called in to help area hospitals handle the flood of Covid-19 patients, reports the Bakersfield Californian.