Suprise Me

Second semester, senior year in high school. I walked into the first day of my last Social Studies class to be greeted by Norman Bienstock, a brand new teacher. This was his first job. He seated us according to a seating chart and called out our names, to put them with our faces and begin… Read More

I have no memory of what we spoke about but cannot forget the image of this wonderful woman, now frail and with hands gnarled and arthritic, and her family's fortitude and selflessness. Read More

A sulfurous smell of decay seeped into my mask. I looked around in vain. Read More

September 2, 1973 We began our honeymoon with an afterparty at a nearby restaurant. Several of our friends came along from the wedding; we shared some additional toasts at the bar before my brand-new husband and I drove to the airport to begin our long weekend away. Times being what they were, what with my… Read More

My journey to meet Madeleine began with a phone call. I was in the midst of cleaning out my late mother’s kitchen, standing in front of her pantry looking at boxes and cans dating back to the 20th century, when my son-in-law reached me on my cell phone. “I guess you know why I’m calling,”… Read More

Looking back, there were many things my mother did that were wonderful. And yet, I had a list of eight things I swore I would never do as a parent. Read More

Because all appearances to the contrary, I tended to play it safe... Read More

I am the oldest of four children born to a Mom who graduated from high school and a Dad who left school in the eighth grade. I am the only one of their kids who gradated from high school and college. However I did not walk for high school graduation; instead I moved to Virginia Beach… Read More

The unusual opening interval is a minor, ascending 7th. It fills one with aching, longing and sets up the dreamy quality of this hauntingly beautiful song. It resolves quickly and those few opening notes are instantly recognizable. Tony has just confessed to accidentally killing Maria’s brother in the heat of the rumble, but they are… Read More

Could the one Rolling Stones concert I attended have done that much damage? Read More