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ABOUTBlack Lamb was created to offer the discerning reader a stimulating selection of excellent original writing. Published monthly. (more) FREE SAMPLE COPYClick here to receive a free sample issue via U.S. mail. There is absolutely no obligation. SUBSCRIBESupport this independently published journal of fine essays. Annual subscriptions are $15 in the USA, $25 in Canada, $30 in the UK, or $35 elsewhere (all prices in US $). Click here to subscribe online via paypal or send a check to Black Lamb, 1759 View Drive, San Leandro CA 94577. QUESTIONSIf you have questions or comments regarding Black Lamb, please email us. |
Archive for the 'Ask Millie' CategoryRadios and pedestriansMay 1st, 2007 BY MILLICENT MARSHALL Dear Millie, My husband and I recently relocated to a small town to spend our retirement years in peace and quiet. We made sure before making the move that we could get good radio reception for classical and jazz stations, which, along with National Pubic Radio, are broadcast from a big city not too far distant. The problem, though, is the DJs, who are rank amateurs. What can we do? Their annoying voices and stammering ruin our radio listening for us. Miffed Dear Miffed, First of all, I guess I’d have to say that you’re lucky to find a place in America with access to both a classical and a jazz station. Plenty of huge cities in this country no longer have either. As for the quality of what they call “on-air hosts,” we’re living in hard times.
Posted by: The Editors When to be seriousApril 1st, 2007 BY MILLICENT MARSHALL Dear Reader, I’ve been saving a couple of letters from the Black Lamb mailbag for this All-Marriage Issue. Millie Dear Millie, As a divorced woman left with two small children to raise, I find myself growing angry when my childless girlfriends want to cry on my shoulder over the breakup of their marriages. “Get over it,” I want to say. “At least you don’t have to deal with children permanently bruised by the failure of your romance.” What do you think? Pissed in Pittsburgh Dear Pissed, I suppose you have a point, but I hope you and your friends don’t regard feeling pain as a contest. You’ve made your messes, and it’s up to all of you to try to fix them, or at least minimize their impact. I’d say comfort one another and get on with life as best you can. Friends can be— should be — a real help. Millie
Posted by: The Editors Doggy dog worldMarch 1st, 2007 BY MILLICENT MARSHALL
We recently installed a small “dog door” for our six-year-old terrier. We have succeeded in teaching him to open it with his nose and go in and out without being pushed. The only problem is, he waits patiently for a signal from us — either a verbal command such as “come on in” or “go on out,” or a hand signal pointing him the way — before either entering or exiting. This rather defeats the purpose of the whole thing, which is to enable him to use the back yard facilities when we are away from home and, having done his business, to be able to return to his warm, dry bed. I seem to remember that you have dog training experience. Do you have any suggestions? Doorkeeper in Duluth
Posted by: The Editors Use a little sense!November 1st, 2006 BY MILLICENT MARSHALL
What’s with all the whining from cigarette smokers? They’re ruining their health (so much for respecting them) and poisoning the environment for others, yet they still howl about their rights, as if polluting bars and restaurants were guaranteed in the Constitution. Isn’t it really all about the tobacco companies making huge profits? Stunk Out Dear Stunk, Sure, it’s about tobacco companies making money, but I have a question for you. Exactly how much do the smokers affect you personally? Don’t give me the second-hand smoke routine, because the only smokers you encounter nowadays are out of doors: one state after another has outlawed smoking in enclosed, public places. And the tiny bit of cigarette smoke you inhale outside is chicken feed compared to the endless supply of carcinogens circulating in the open air everywhere except the deepest wilderness. And you don’t have to let people smoke in your home. If they’re considerate, smokers don’t leave the residue of their habit all over the streets. Admittedly, many are not considerate and use the world as their ashtray, but people throw all sorts of trash on the ground. There are laws against it, and when someone starts enforcing them the smokers will have to put their butts in their pockets and take them home. So take it easy. You’ve won the battle. You don’t have to respect the smokers if you choose not to (certainly not for their smoking), but there’s no reason to have a cow about it. Pick your battles, honey. How about campaigning to outlaw the manufacture of weapons? Millie
Posted by: The Editors Yourself to blameMarch 1st, 2006 BY MILLICENT MARSHALL Dear Millie, Our two kids are starting to raise hell because my husband and I restrict their television viewing to shows we can all watch together on our one TV set in the living room. This deprives them, they say, of a lot of the most popular programs. And why can’t they have Generation Gap Dear Gap, I have to admit I have trouble imagining what the four of you, whatever ages your kids are, can watch together, without either the older or younger generation nodding off or stomping out of the room in disgust. But if you are able to find programs that satisfy all of you, I say keep up the good work. Anyway, the kids have plenty of opportunities to watch their favorite junk when they visit their friends’ houses. One TV in your house? Well done. Millie
Posted by: The Editors Dealing with ChristmasDecember 1st, 2004 BY MILLICENT MARSHALL In the spirit of this special issue of Black Lamb, here are a few Christmas letters from my mailbag. Dear Millie, I have a point to make. Christmas is on its way, and once again my husband and I will have to put up with sermons in pulpits and newspapers about the horrible commercialism of this holiday. Don’t people ever give a thought to the thousands and thousands (perhaps millions) of people who, like my family, make their living supplying and producing Christmas-related consumer goods? Holiday Spirit Dear Spirit, No, I suppose preachers in and out of church don’t give much of a thought to the makers of holiday fruit baskets, the harvesters of Christmas trees, and the manufacturers of tinsel, wrapping paper, and a million other holiday “necessities.” Why should they?
Posted by: The Editors
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