Suprise Me

My most important summer experience was at Camp Rising Sun--a program devoted to scholarship, leadership, and international cross-cultural exchange. It was a life changing experience for me, and I am doing my part to keep the program going for future young people. Read More

Retrospect Caption Contest (just like the New Yorker): Please write a caption for this picture of Donald Fagen, age 71, who is the co-founder and lead singer of the band Steely Dan. You may recall one of their biggest songs, Hey Nineteen. Here is an excerpt from the lyrics: Hey, nineteen That’s ‘Retha Franklin She… Read More

I’m sure that among the filmed “memories” are some that I truly recall, but after so many viewings of the home movies I can’t be sure. Is it real or is it Kodachrome II? Read More

No Dice! Try as I might, in my seven decades – most of which were lived in New York City of all places – I can’t remember being the victim of any shady deals or crooked schemes. I never shot craps in Vegas nor have I even been to Foxwoods. I was never conned in… Read More

Steve Martin’s role as the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors captured how many of us feel about going to the dentist. Read More

I have no memory of learning to ride an actual bike. Read More

A recipe for joy--try this at home! Read More

When I arrived on the Brandeis campus in the autumn of 1970, it did not have a student union, though one was under construction. We were the last class to use the old mail room. Our new student union, “Usdan” officially opened on November 1, 1970. The night before, with barely any furniture to get… Read More

Devoted to You, an Everly Brothers hit in 1958, was covered by the Beach Boys, by Linda Ronstadt, and by James Taylor and Carly Simon. And by me. I sang my vows to Garth on our wedding day. More to the point, I warbled…because I’m no singer. And that was the point. We were both… Read More

Starting in 2020, birthdays have been correlated with horrible incidents for no apparent reason. Read More