Suprise Me

Carving Mr Pumpkin It seems just yesteryear,  in our kitchen Noah at age 5  (did I really let him wield that sharp knife?)  and Sarah at 6  (my friend Celia’s sweet niece,  now a mother herself). Me with a headache  (“Dana’s famous migraines”,  I once heard Celia call them). “Go lie down,  I’ll watch the… Read More

This story is something of a confession: I have had memorable episodes of boredom when I've been around other people ... Read More

There were three possible lunches on school days: regular lunchbox lunch; rainy day lunch; and lunch at home. On regular days, I opened my metal lunchbox (blue lid and bottom, silver-gray between) to find a sandwich neatly wrapped in waxed paper, made with stiff, dense, brown whole wheat bread. It might be peanut butter, or… Read More

Russian athletes have systematically cheated for years. The Wikipedia page is too long and complicated to try to condense and enumerate the many faults, going back decades for this story, but let me give you some “highlights”. For years there was state sponsored systematic doping. They have been stripped of 46 Olympic medals. The most… Read More

What was most unnerving? The police presence. While they weren't in riot gear, rows of cops stood their ground, clubs at the ready. Our knees shook. Read More

Eventually I was permitted basement access, and found it a fascinating place. Read More

  Our veterans are some of the most special people in our world. They have sacrificed so much for our freedom and security. On Veterans Day, let’s take a moment to thank them for their service and to celebrate their humor, resilience, and strength. Here are a few humorous and appreciative thoughts about our veterans:… Read More

    Far out, far out, far out. Let’s talk pills, folks. Those little sugar-coated suckers that have been humanity’s companions since we first figured out chewing on some random root could make us see sparkly jaguars. Shamans with questionable fashion sense swigged dubious concoctions, all in the pursuit of a better afterlife, or at… Read More

You must not be too goddamn smart or you wouldn’t be here! Read More

Blossoming                    What are you doing, now? He asked me peering up with my line of sight. I am giving the wisteria a standing ovation! As he shakes his head my heart pulls toward admiring the purple tresses of the vine- so stunning, arresting in their  delicate… Read More