November 2012 The attic has long been a literary device that creates a sense of mystery, surprise, memory, fun, danger – or whatever. Show a child going into an attic and you have an instant plot for anything you want to write. For years I’ve planned to use our Yard Sale as a motivation to … [Read more…]
During our pandemic, one of my precautions has been to go to the grocery store only once a week, and try to do that on what I hope will be “off hours.” I wear my mask, wipe off the cart, and play Dodge Ball as I move down the aisles, trying to avoid getting near … [Read more…]
October 2001 Those of you who have been to my house know that many years ago I decided to call it quits with grass, mowing and fertilizing, and allow the site to “re-forest” itself. In my eye, the yard today is a wonderful mini-forest of trees, ground cover, paths and native marsh plants. The down … [Read more…]
“Are you ready for your return from vacation?” asked one of our beloved members, as we prepare to try regular Sunday services again. “You have got to be kidding!!” was my response. We’re now into our eighth month of recorded services, and Zoom meetings, and trying to find a different way of doing everything. We … [Read more…]
September 2006 I was sort of asleep and sort of awake when I first heard the news over my clock radio. Pluto might not be a planet. I was suddenly fully awake. Of course, Pluto is a planet. I learned that in school. We’ve always had nine planets in our solar system. I had to … [Read more…]
I think most of you know that my car got “totaled” in a hit-and-run. Fortunately, the seat belt worked, and I was able to walk away, without injury. The repair shop and GEICO kept the car for two weeks before notifying me that they were “totaling it”, and I needed to turn in the rental … [Read more…]
August 2018 As most of you know, I have two dogs. Frisky is a very old Rat Terrier from the pound. He’s deaf and almost blind. Most of his life consists of moving from his bed in my den to his bed in my bedroom, with an occasional trip outside if I carry him down … [Read more…]
I’m not a person to be afraid of things. As a kid, the school bully never particularly frightened me. I came from a peaceful family, so I was never afraid to go home. If I got in trouble, I just resigned to face the music, take the consequences, and move on. Now, my mother’s fly swatter was another matter. She … [Read more…]
July 2012 “You’ve shrunk!” That was the most recent proclamation of good news from my doctor. “What do you mean, ‘I’ve shrunk’? I’ve always been 6’1″.” “Well, you’re 5’11” now. Your spine compresses with age.” There’s that word again – age. Now, I have to tell you – this does something dreadful to one’s self-image. … [Read more…]
I think any kid growing up is subjected to listening to tales from the past to which he or she feels no connection. For me, it was my mother’s reminder of the “Starving Armenians” any time there was a complaint about her cooking, and tales of the 1918 “Spanish Flu.” Out of nowhere, conversations would … [Read more…]