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Keith Schleiffer

@kschleiffer.bsky.social
754 followers 380 following 1.7K posts

Caregiver 24/7 when my wife needs me. Writing short CNF and a memoir about her cancer. Engineer in medical device industry. USCG veteran. Pronouns he-him, but just because I'm ordinary doesn't mean anyone else must be.

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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 14/09/2026
HOMER “This guy gave his job talk in dialects. We need someone who can teach Freshman Greek 100.” buff.ly/FvJc3bA
mcsweeneys.net
Faculty Search Committee Feedback on Applications from Founding Figures of the Fields for Tenure-Track Positions
Homer “This guy gave his job talk in dialects. We need someone who can teach Freshman Greek 100.”
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
Kathryn Meyer Griffith @kmeyergriffith.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
“No One Can See Tomorrow immediately caught my attention. Candid reflections on a writing career spanning over five decades, the triumphs, sacrifices, and perseverance, make this memoir deeply human and inspiring.” tinyurl.com/3khny994 books2read.com/u/bzR7jD tinyurl.com/y4x9s6vz
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
My wife recorded a video complementing her oncologist. After it went up on the oncology practice web site, my wife reposted it on her Facebook. The video just reappeared in her "memories," so I went over to put my arms around her while she sobbed.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Me too, Toad. Me too.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Draft essay bit: The physical therapist told Debbie she hadn’t heard of a husband helping like this. I’ve asked several physical therapists, oncologists and surgeons. I have yet to find another husband doing this kind of care. I would have expected men would happily caress their wives before bed.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
The neighbor's tree has a big crop of beautiful crabapples. They're tart, but they taste sweet too. I've heard crabapple jelly can be good. Do you think the peeling and coring will be too much work? 😉
Ripe, red crabapples on the branches of their tree, with a background of green leaves.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I also found "Lake Union Publishings" and "Lake Union Publisher." (Note subtle last letters difference.) Both have that bland "the aspiring writer" language and sure seem like a vanity press. (One even had a chatbot that quickly asked questions. "Allow me to assist, I'm not a bot.")
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
#authors and #writers, here's a fun discovery. After attending a panel discussion I bought a book from a local, successful author. The publisher was "Lake Union." Hmm, Lake Union is near Seattle, home of Amazon. So I searched for Lake Union Publishing. I found the Amazon version. 1/2
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
"You're a monster," my wife said. "Yes, but I'm a domesticated monster. I like to think I use my superpowers for good." "Can I quote you?" "Yes, but include 'like to think.' It's more an aspiration than a commitment."
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
There can be a future for literary agents, provided authors earn enough that their percentage provides the agent a workable income. The boat can seem unstable but we're all in it together.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The weekend guests are gone. We have enough leftovers to cover our meals for some days. Just one point of controversy: the last slice of cake. "I had less of this than you and your sister, so I should have the last slice." No idea what was wrong about me saying that. (We shared the last slice.)
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
One of the ways we observed Fathers Day was stepping into the shower together so I could wash her hair. What started as caring for her physical needs has become care for our relationship. #cancer #memoir www.yourtango.com/love/washing...
yourtango.com
Washing My Sick Wife's Hair
Supporting my spouse as she recovers the hair — and the self-image — cancer treatment took from her.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I took a day off from my job as an engineer to go accompany my wife to her medical appointment. While I'm waiting to leave I am trying to write a sonnet. It's going better than six weeks ago.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
One of them went to see the game. One of them went to be seen at the game.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Did you know sinister just means left-handed? Did you know people used to think left-handed people were sinister? Read my essay on @goodmenproject.bsky.social to learn the connection to Pride Month. #pridemonth #parenting goodmenproject.com/featured-con...
goodmenproject.com
My Sinister Daughter
It is less effort to just be her authentic self instead of careful about what others think.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
My daughter has been sinister since she was an infant. You can read what I learned from her in an essay published by @goodmenproject.bsky.social #pridemonth #parenting goodmenproject.com/featured-con...
goodmenproject.com
My Sinister Daughter
It is less effort to just be her authentic self instead of careful about what others think.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
It was the first cancer-caregiver essay I published. goodmenproject.com/uncategorize...
goodmenproject.com
She Was Never Alone
Caring for my wife during cancer treatment and recovery.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
My daughter might be sinister, but it wasn't a choice. It's just her nature. Read my essay for Pride Month on @goodmenproject.bsky.social goodmenproject.com/featured-con...
goodmenproject.com
My Sinister Daughter
It is less effort to just be her authentic self instead of careful about what others think.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
They have submission instructions on their home page, in the menu at the bottom. (You submit using Sumittable.) This is my second essay published with them.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Thanks. I pitched the idea to my daughter before I wrote it.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
I wrote a personal essay for #PrideMonth, about my sinister daughter. It's available to read on The Good Men Project. #memoir #parenting goodmenproject.com/featured-con...
goodmenproject.com
My Sinister Daughter
It is less effort to just be her authentic self instead of careful about what others think.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Maybe masculine-coded should be taken as a red flag when deciding who to vote for.
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
Rob Bignell, Editor/Author @inventingreality.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
#publishing #literatureposts #womensfiction #WordCountGoals #authorsky
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
If it was murder for the Defense Minister to order aircraft shot down for violating Cuban law, then...
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 31/05/2026
"The gods, in their infinite wisdom, would like everyone to understand that no formal agreement exists until Mount Olympus announces one, though several nymphs familiar with the matter describe the atmosphere up there as productive."
buff.ly
I, Sisyphus, Am Ninety-Five Percent of the Way There
“The remaining 5 percent concerns only the final portion of the hill, the tendency of the boulder to inevitably roll back down to the very beginning, the ete...
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
godlessbitch.bsky.social @godlessbitch.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
WE ARE NOT LiViNG iN THE GOLDEN AGE.
WE ARE LiVING
IN THE AGE OF
CAPiTALiST DECAY WHERE SOCIETY IS BREAKING DOWN DUE TO THE ENDLESS GREED OF THE BILLIONAIRE CLASS™
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
I saw a flood of social posts a few days ago, shouting what so-and-so did was shameful. It looked like bots building on each other. I spent a few minutes searching and found no credible news about so-and-so.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Today is Trans Visibility day. If you're Trans and choose to be visible, that's super! If you're Trans and choose not to be visible, that's also super. Do what you are comfortable doing and stay safe.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I'm trying to be more factual in my posts on Twitter (now referred to as X). It can be challenging to be complete and factual within the character limit so I write little factos in advance and collect them in a text file on my phone titled "X Post Facto."
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
#memoirists My wife said she only needed her hair washed this morning, no conditioner. I like to do her conditioner, too, but now that washing her hair for her is voluntary I must do as she wishes. When we started it wasn't voluntary. www.yourtango.com/love/washing...
yourtango.com
Washing My Sick Wife's Hair
Supporting my spouse as she recovers the hair — and the self-image — cancer treatment took from her.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
any man would do it, that the oncology clinic staff found unexpected. (Are there really men who fail to see their wife needs real, commited support at a time like this?) 2/2
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
I am now pitching my memoir to presses who don't require an agent. On its face, the story is one medical challenge after another during mybwifexs treatment for breast cancer. Underneath is the story of a husband surprised to see what he thought was ordinary support, 1/2
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Big, big party last night at the library.
A medium-sized library building with windows lit up. A large pine tree is on one side. There are lights over the parking lot in front of the building. In the background the sky is deep blue in twilight. Photo was taken a few minutes after sunset.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
His actions do seem intentional, but I don't see what he gets out of it. Unless he just thinks a sudden reduction in population is desirable.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
My kids went to high school in a town where more than one car this bumper sticker: "my kid can beat up your honor student"
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 30/01/2026
"I am my own original sin. One someone is always willing to forgive. Until enough of you demand that I be better."
buff.ly
I’m Still Your America
Hey, patriot. It’s been a week. As ICE spreads terror through the streets, and Teacup Eichmann presided over the murder of yet another innocent civ...
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
I'm not going to rule out a computer eventually being able to design a house for us. But this diagram clearly illustrates how much more it has to go. This is a toddler, capable pnly of imitation and not very good imitation.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
In many cases, yes, an architect gets a written specification and then has a conversation.
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Agree or disagree?
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
"A citizens group in Ontario, California is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving federal immigration agents. They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..." abc7.com/post/ontario...
abc7.com
Immigrant rights group placing 'ICE stole someone here' signs in Ontario
A citizens group in Ontario is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving ICE agents detaining and arresting undocumented immigrants.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
There's a much younger woman on my team. I am senior enough to know I have to do my best every day to be the kind of teammate who can help her do her best.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
In case I haven't made it clear, in my experience, the women "ruiningc workplaces are making improvements not causing problems. My manager is currently a woman. Our director is a woman. It is the most collaborative, team-centered and results-oriented environment. I've ever worked in.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
I realize that trying to publish short #CNF pieces has become kind of a kink, as I pore over web site after web site looking for fit, reviewing the requirements for submission and planning on how to comply perfectly.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
For the record, my manager and our Director are women. Half of my work group are women. This is a notably more collaborative, team-oriented and results-oriented environment than most of my prior work experience.
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Americans are still experiencing sticker-shock when it comes to housing, with mortgage payments about double pre-covid levels. My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
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Reposted by Keith Schleiffer
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 06/11/2025
The Rob Base Postulate: Given that a number greater than 1(x) is required to make a thing go right, and that the exact equal number (y) is required to make it out of sight (x = y), what is the minimum whole number required to achieve both outcomes? www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/pop...
mcsweeneys.net
Pop Song Math Quiz
Answer all questions in the form of a song title. 1. The Rob Base Postulate Given that a number greater than 1(x) is required to make a thing go ri...
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
😲
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
A few days ago we visited a garden in Savannah, Georgia. #WritingCommunity
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
It has come to my attention that it is very, very suspicious that people showed up to the No Kings protest at the announced start time and left pretty quickly after the announced end time. This warrants investigation.
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Keith Schleiffer @kschleiffer.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
I've been learning a lot today at the Illinois Library Association. "When education and culture are being degraded, librarians and teachers are the first responders." "The library's role is to be neutral, yes, but also to preserve order amid chaos."
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