Author Archives: ivanbenson

About ivanbenson

I am a former singer, guitar player, writer, story teller, voice over talent, and a current heart attack survivor in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Of Mice and Men

Posted on December 17, 2025 by ivanbenson

Last night was eventful for us; the cold weather blessed us with a house guest of small stature. He was not invited (mind you), but I noticed a small dark object race down beside the baseboard of one of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged books, mice, Mouse, nature, Of Mice and Men, Robert Burns, writing | Leave a comment

With Drugs . . . All Things are Possible

Posted on October 30, 2025 by ivanbenson

Sounds like a verse from wisdom literature, doesn’t it? Or the Bible. One thing’s for certain: it’s current! A few hours ago I caught parts of an NPR discussion about alcoholism, its causes and cures, and how well the “scientific” … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged addiction, alcohol, mental-health, recovery, sobriety | Leave a comment

Lex Oliver (Nov. 15, 2007 – Sept. 4, 2025): A Tribute

Posted on September 12, 2025 by ivanbenson

He and his two sisters were just a few weeks old when they were found in an abandoned warehouse. We chose the boy; my eldest daughter took his two sisters. I wasn’t eager to engage in this new venture; I … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged dog, Family, Lex, pet, tribute | Leave a comment

My Personal Triumvirate

Posted on July 29, 2025 by ivanbenson

Maybe I’m not all that different from you. Or maybe I am. But most people I know are controlled (or at least highly influenced) by one or more childhood experiences. I was recently reminded of some of mine in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged blog, Family, heart attack, Life, love, memories, mental-health, writing | Leave a comment

Losing Altitude

Posted on July 5, 2025 by ivanbenson

They’re not usually the words you want to hear when you’re flying in an airplane (“We’re losing altitude”), because more often than not they spell impending disaster. They say these words in movies moments before the inevitable crash unless the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, aging, aviation, death, Family, grandchildren, Height, Losing altitude, pilot, travel, writing | Leave a comment

The Meaning Makers

Posted on May 24, 2025 by ivanbenson

I encountered an expression a few weeks ago; it is a popular educator’s term, but it was new to me. The writer was detailing the history of treatment for PTSD and he mentioned the fact that human beings are “meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged atheism, atheist, christianity, depression, God, Meaning maker, Moralistic, philosophy, religion, Sociopath, suicide | Leave a comment

The Concession Stand

Posted on May 8, 2025 by ivanbenson

I have never understood concession stands! I mean, I know what they are, and have made use of them through the years when I’ve been hungry or thirsty at a sporting event. But what I don’t get is WHY they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Family, Life, politics, travel, writing | Leave a comment

The Demon of Unrest

Posted on January 29, 2025 by ivanbenson

I just finished a fabulous book about the beginnings of the American Civil War; the author is none other than the esteemed Erik Larson. It is a 2024 publication filled with information I have never seen before, and it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged books, Civil War, Erik Larson, History, Japan, movies, politics | 2 Comments

Lex Oliver: Getting Old Ain’t for Sissies

Posted on May 19, 2024 by ivanbenson

Lex, our black Lab/Pit mix, turned 16 last November, so he is officially “old.” In dog years that makes him 115.5. “Mr. Routine” often sleeps in till 10 AM now, and his now-varying patterns control our day. If he’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Assisted Living, Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

It’s A Small World After All

Posted on December 22, 2023 by ivanbenson

Horrific war in the Middle East, Israel versus Hamas, unspeakable brutality and loss of life; the continuing struggle between Ukraine and Russia; health care concerns over RSV and new strains of Covid; economic upheaval and the rise in the prices … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged Alvin Toffler, Christmas, cold, cold weather, Covid, Donner Party, Future Shock, Hamas, heating, Israel, It's a small world after all, middle east, news, RSV, Russia, Ukraine, winter | 9 Comments

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