Suprise Me

In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackelton and his crew sailed The Endurance to the Antarctic. It was crushed in the ice pack and sank in the Weddell Sea but all of her crew survived. Frank Hurley, the photographer onboard, captured incredible photographs of the entire experience. My husband is fascinated by this story and has read… Read More

When I first saw this Retro prompt, a David Sedaris essay* came to mind. Here, Sedaris laments the lack of worthwhile accessories for men. “[Accessories” for men aren’t nearly as interesting as women’s,” he writes. “I have no use for cuff links or suspenders, and while I’ll occasionally pick up a new tie, it hardly… Read More

This damn pandemic has turned me into an extension of my computer which has taken the form of my cellphone. Honestly, I can’t stand it! I have it in my hand constantly. Can’t eat without it. Watch tv without it. Go to the bathroom without it. I go into a near panic if I realize… Read More

Does anyone remember the days when it was acceptable, even encouraged, to drink at lunch? This story takes place on June 4, 1976. It will later become evident how I remember the exact date. Dan and I both worked at our first jobs at SofTech – he as a programmer; I, a Program Librarian (glorified… Read More

Exams once ruled my life. Now, having experienced many true tests over a lifetime, I realize that no amount of preparation guarantees a good result. It is what I do with the hand I’m dealt that truly matters. Read More

It’s pretty much impossible to pick just one song so I’ve zeroed in on the very first song that moved me: All I Have To Do is Dream by the Everly Brothers. When the song was released in 1958, I was 11 years old. I wouldn’t have the pleasure of my first kiss for another… Read More

Setting the menu for potlucks, before anything else, I was asked to bring my mother’s lasagne. Not some vague ‘meat course’ or ‘dessert’ but specifically The Lasagne. I thought, Cool, the kids love her lasagne. With a bit of distance, I realise they were just trying to ensure that I didn’t bring something untested, or… Read More

My Love Affair with James Joyce Playwright Israel Horovitz was caught by several women who said  “Me too.”,  and so was Prairie Home Companion creator Garrison Keillor;   filmmaker Woody Allen’s private life has been far from exemplary;   abstractionist Pablo Picasso and novelist Philip Roth were notorious womanizers;   the 17th century painter Caravaggio… Read More

But, of course, the iconic Alka-Seltzer ads featured little Speedy Alka-Seltzer. Bright-eyed and eager he pitched relief to the masses. Known far and wide, yes, but do you know Speedy's backstory? Read More

I was stopped dead in my tracks one day when a young coworker said she had never worn pantyhose. Read More