“I will never forget where I was when…” This is a phrase that almost everyone uses to recount some historic, and invariably, tragic event, that forever alters the trajectory, not only of our individual lives, but also that of our countries, our world, and increasingly, our very existence on the planet. The event itself will … Continue reading
Lotsa Ways to Skin a Cat
“There’s lotsa ways to skin a cat!” I have no doubt that members of PETA, the SPCA, as well as amateur animal lovers everywhere are fighting waves of nausea as a result of the graphically unpleasant word pictures evoked by that simple sentence. However, before writing me off as a narrow minded “hater” of those … Continue reading
I (used to) Hate Sundays!
“I hate Sundays!” Despite the fact that it has been forty-five years, I can remember shouting this sentence (in my head) as clearly as if it were yesterday. The scariest and simultaneously most fascinating aspect of this obscure childhood memory is the extraordinary restraint exhibited by my seven year old self, not only in avoiding … Continue reading
Paper or Plastic?
Paper or plastic? Coke or Pepsi? Boxers or briefs? Many of us make these deceptively simple, split-second decisions, hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of times throughout our lives. But are these choices really as simple as they seem, and do we actually have any real choices at all? Long ago, my siblings labeled me the “goody … Continue reading
Being Real
Even in his prime he was nothing fancy. Built like a teddy bear but with the floppy ears of a dog, “Branigin” was (and remains) my favorite stuffed animal. While my memory of exactly the day I received him is a little hazy (that does tend to happen after 50 years or so), I think … Continue reading
Leave the Light on For Me…
In many families it seems that various members have their assigned roles…the funny one, the social one, the leader, the “baby”. A voracious reader and viewer of documentaries from a very young age, my own assigned role has been that of “trivia buff”, “historian” and “keeper of useless information”. So, in keeping with that tradition … Continue reading
Make a Wish
“Make a wish!” How many times have you heard that phrase just before blowing out the birthday candles? I think my mother baked a cake for me (yellow or chocolate with chocolate icing) for at least the first twenty-two of my birthdays. Yet, as I look back, I can’t say that I recall any of … Continue reading
The (Soothing) Power of Words
I love writing. I’ve loved it since I wrote my first serious essay at age 13, a logical, reasoned treatise on the injustice imposed by my 8th grade substitute social studies teacher. Our regular teacher was on maternity leave and our class had the misfortune of inheriting a portly, balding, social studies zealot who inexplicably … Continue reading
Silence is Golden
When I was a kid, the United Negro College Fund had a public service announcement on television that showed a young black man looking straight into the camera, while his head gradually faded and became invisible. When his head had completely disappeared the voiceover would gravely intone, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” … Continue reading
Living in the Land of Bland
While I often pride myself on being open to new ideas, whether it be learning about diverse cultures, acquiring a new language, or appreciating art and music from a variety of genres I must confess that there is one area in which I am far from adventurous. I like my food plain. Sauces, spice, even … Continue reading
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