This morning there was a Baptism in our Church – a little boy named Gilbert in honor of his great-grandfather. He grabbed the minister’s hand and held on when the water was placed on his forehead. He seemed to want to let us all know who was in charge. As the parents and minister walked … More “There Is Always Morning”
Did you know there are people in the world who collect clouds? They’re called Cloudspotters, members of The Cloud Appreciation Society. You’re probably wondering how one would go about the business of collecting a cloud. Unlike inflatable lawn ornaments, garden gnomes, tea cozies or balls of tinfoil, clouds are rather ephemeral things floating lonely … More From The Other Side of A Cloud
I celebrated twenty-seven Fathers’ Days with my Dad. He died in June when the roses along our fence were in bloom. I still have the card I bought him for that twenty-eighth Fathers’ Day he never lived to see. It’s tucked away with a photo of me and him when I was about two years … More On Fathers and Their Daughters
This post is going to be about a few different topics – Charley and Me, Baltimore, Baseball, Brawls, Politics, Civility, the Media, National Values, Umbrellas and Flags because today is Flag Day here in the US of A. I promise I’ll tie them all neatly together in the end and hopefully, … More “O Say Can You See?”
I just read a Washington Post article by a Marine Corps Veteran, Jennie Haskamp. It was about remembering the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country – 1.3 million lives lost since our first war in 1776. Decoration Day (now known in the US as Memorial Day) was set aside to … More Memorial Day
I have a favorite joke. Actually, it’s the only joke I can ever remember. Good I’m not a stand-up comedian because that would make for a very short set. Here it is: Descartes, the French philosopher supposedly famous for saying, “Je pense donc je suis.” (“I think, therefore, I am.”), walks into a bar. He … More Give Thinks!
Like the little kitten (ZuZu) in A Berkshire Tale, I do so love happy endings! This is very hard to reconcile with my love of biographies. There seems to be one glaring similarity throughout almost every biography I’ve read – the main character dies in the end. At least with an autobiography, you have a better chance … More Spoiler Alert !!!
I’ve been reading the posts of many of my blog followers this week. (I’ve tucked away my murder mystery for a while and will continuing editing it with a fresher mind at some later date.) These bloggers, from all over the world, are a caring, supportive group. In reading their posts, I sometimes come across … More Casual Cruelty
I’ve been thinking about last Tuesday and the fun I had reading with third graders in Connecticut. I’m convinced that third graders are the sharpest people on the face of the earth. They are incredibly enthusiastic about everything. Their faces literally shine with unabashed anticipation. They volunteer for anything. They sit on the floor with … More Sharp As Tacks!
Yesterday I finished writing Last Train to Kingston, the first in a series of murder mysteries set in my home town. I’m taking a brief respite before I do the initial edit and add in photos. I thought you might like a sneak preview at some of the settings in the book. So, this is my … More Across Continents on a Winter’s Morning
“I was raised to be charming, not sincere,” This is one of my favorite quotes from Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into the Woods. It’s Prince Charming’s rational explanation to Cinderella when she finds out he’s a cad. Ah, the fairy tales of my youth! So many subtle messages sent to guide me on my way through life; through … More On Expecting Princes To Be Charming
Charley and I just returned from an ill-timed vacation to South Carolina with our friends, Mary and Jim. We had been busy at home and had not turned on the TV for a while. Oblivious to local and national events, last Tuesday we flew to Charleston, drove south to Hilton Head and planted ourselves smack … More Grilled Cheese Fixation
