Monthly Archives: March 2017

For years, the original artwork hung in our family’s home. It was a profile of an old woman, deep in thought. An oil on canvas painting, she was the subject of much curiosity and discussion. As children, we didn’t like … Continue reading →

Spring has sprung and I am now all of seven years old.  Kids in the neighborhood gather in the street.  What’s going on?  I run over to find out.  Paul Rader yells out, ” we’re playing baseball.”  Do you know … Continue reading →

This is my Ethical will, to be passed on to you and all future generations. As I grew up, I learned the lessons of life from my family, friends, teachers, books, newspapers, television, and movies. Some of the things that … Continue reading →

New year’s Eve and I’ve got chest pain.  It’s 11 AM. Maybe I’ll get lucky and it will go away.  No, it’s getting worse.  Oh well.  I’ll call Dr. Jones.  Quick tap on my cell phone.  There.  Ring. Ring.  I … Continue reading →

When we moved to Florida many of our special- meaning- items were distributed to my children and grandchildren under the disguise of “downsizing”. However there is one item that I would never part with and that is a rosary given … Continue reading →

Posting the previous week’s assignment: It could well have been a tragic scene out of a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, it was quite real, and I was cast in the unexpected role of a lifetime. The year was 1968. Too many … Continue reading →

Listen up.  Come closer.  I know you are told that you are the smartest, most beautiful (handsome), strongest, and most clever.  You are told you can do anything.  You are told “It won’t hurt”.  You are told that you are … Continue reading →

After all the years I have lived I can reduce my life to just one word: hallelujah. I was conceived and allowed to be born into this wonderful world of mother, father and family.  The same is true for all … Continue reading →

Buy The Ticket   My dear children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren I heard a sermon last Sunday that prompted me to pass on to you my “pearls of wisdom”. It was about the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-28). … Continue reading →

As a little boy in my neighborhood older people were dying.  First it was Joanna Machetti.  Soon it was Mr. Trione.  Then even Mr. Franaconi died too.  My mother had to go and visit their families because of this happening … Continue reading →

Retired Rabbi Reuben Levine showed up at Torah Class by complete surprise. I rushed up to him and his family, expressing delight that he was finally back in class. His son tried to stop me with panicked gestures. As our … Continue reading →

Bad news, sit down they say Grandpa has died today.   Tears erupt slowly in mother’s eyes Magically triggering these young eyes.   Soft talking in another room. Plans are made too soon.   In the car minding my place, … Continue reading →

Walking so very slowly on the soft, damp sand, feeling its graininess gently, giving way, as I forge firm new footprints by the frothy surf, on this early, sunny Florida Friday morning.   I behold all the beach’s other Footprints … Continue reading →

“Death Changes Everything” One of my favorite opening lines in a book is, “Death Changes Everything” from Dorothy Allison’s book Cavedweller. Yes it does. If you are a Christian, you might think it’s the beginning. If you are not, you … Continue reading →

I have been trained for four months.  I’m a new Trooper assigned to a Post 592 miles from home.  I go to work with a senior officer who will observe, listen, and encourage my every thought, word, and deed.  Three … Continue reading →

Love I have gazed upon pictures of Eagle Nebula, with its young star Still embedded in its nursery of gas and dust, and filled with wonder about our origins. I have visited ancient ruins, searching for answers to questions about … Continue reading →

John Spain, a hulking six-foot-three, 250 pound Texan, stopped in his tracks, lifted his entrenching tool high in the air, and smashed it down repeatedly into the muddy grass. The young men, who were lined up single file behind him, … Continue reading →

Driving used to be fun.  I was free to roam and explore.   I could chose any route and there was always a surprise around the corner.  Now I have to negotiate.  My car’s computer, who shall be nameless nags … Continue reading →

Do we really make decisions, I ponder? Or are decisions a product of outside forces?   Politicians proclaim with alarm that disaster is near Only they can protect us from dangers around.   Madison Avenue seduces with fantasies and products … Continue reading →

It was Labor Day Weekend 1999 and I had just stepped off a plane in Maui , Hawaii to attend the Maui Writer’s Conference. My first impression was , Wow I have really arrived! The brochure promised four days of … Continue reading →

Immediately, after receiving our writing assignment at the last session of Pelican pens, I was walking toward the tennis courts, when a stranger walked past me. As he walked by, with a broad smile on his face and a loud … Continue reading →