A collection of short humorous essays covering the gamut from nostalgia to conjecture.
The careful reader will discover such incidental insights as why Eskimos gave up kissing for rubbing noses and what the Marquis de Sade's nanny said that may have suggested all those weird ideas. But the casual reader will learn something too. And not just that the author has entirely too much time on his hands. Interspersed among these views of the passing scene are subtle indications that -- paddles or not -- we may all of us be headed up the creek. So to speak.
Excerpt
As I explained to my wife when she caught me wiping the dust off the seat of my exercise bike: It isn't that I'm against working out; I'm against boredom.
She pointed out (as wives are wont to do) that the device has a bookrest on the handlebars, faces directly toward a TV set with VCR and is within easy reach of a Sony Walkman.
"Put on that Buns of Steel tape I saw in your desk drawer," she said. "Get motivated." (Wives also do sarcasm.)
In truth, while I'm not that crazy about physical exertion, motivation is not a problem. Living in an area that is already a mile above sea level and then climbing to my second floor study is incentive enough to get in shape ... .
Professional Reviews
Good Humor is Hard to Find
Nicke Strother (ewgnic(at)aol.com),
Over the hill with a great sense of humor:
Richard Cutler's humorous musings in Over The Hill Without A Paddle are truly delightful. His witty observations of life take you on a wonderful journey. Mr. Cutler has a warm and friendly way with words that makes you glad to have such a clever tour guide along for the trip down his own personal Memory Lane. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and look forward to reading many more stories from Mr. Cutler in the future.