My father was posted far away to Canton, but they promised to write.  And write he did—at the rate of four or more times a week.  And she wrote back faithfully. Read More

Leaving aside his despicable political views and deeds, there is no way I would want this creep to protect me. He’s a gross, misogynistic pig. Read More

    I’ve always been a bit of a word nerd. I love the way they sound, the way they feel on my tongue, and the way they can paint vivid pictures in my mind. But I’ve also learned that words are a double-edged sword, capable of both great beauty and great destruction. One of… Read More

It was stressful to have the sale as it reminded me of the pain of packing everything up and moving. But it is a pleasure to see people walk off with their new treasures. Read More

Kinky Boots I’m not a big shopper or a fashionista,  but let me tell you about some perfect boots I bought back in the 1970s when we were living in London for an all-too-brief,  magical time.    (See also Laundry Day in London,  Inks and Derek: Art and the Cricket Scores,  Valentine’s Day in Foggytown,… Read More

The Perfect Brass Lamp It often takes so little to make this wannabe interior decorator happy! I’m always on the lookout for one more throw pillow,  or a new piece of artwork,  or a knick-knack to grace the coffee table.  Or a new set of bath towels,  or a set of dishes,  or a new… Read More

    Retrospect: Shoppers By Kevin J. W. Driscoll (c) 2024 I’ve always been a bit of a consumer. Not in a hoarding sense, mind you. I’m not one of those people who fills their garage with boxes of expired cereal or their closet with clothes they’ve never worn. No, I’m more of a connoisseur… Read More

Comfort Food for Renee I met Renee about 25 years ago when we were both working as librarians in the Bronx – she at New York Public Library,  and I at Jane Addams High School. Renee had been trained as a book discussion leader,  and as part of NYPL’s outreach to schools program she came… Read More

All That Jazz We both grew up in classical music-loving families,  and still keep our radio set to WQXR,  though admittedly we seldom go to classical concerts or opera.  And as children of the 50s we love rock & roll,  and doo wop, and folk and country,  and of course the Beatles and the Stones… Read More

At best sports were a minor part of what really mattered in life. Read More