Tampa, FL December 25, 2020 In those days, it came to pass that a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus that every person must go, each to his own town, to be counted. All obeyed, and returned to their place of birth. Joseph went from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea to […]
Atlanta, GADecember 20, 2020 Herman Kahn once claimed that the only times you can change a man are before he is six and when he goes to college. In that case, our younger son has gone without influence the last ten years, and won’t bend to any other for another two. But in the interim, […]
Atlanta, GA December 19, 2020 Earlier this week, I lamented that I have penned more eulogies and condolences this year than in any I can remember. Now, a week before Christmas, I regret we must lengthen the list. Throughout the first half of my life, large family gatherings punctuated Christmas Day. First my grandparents, and later my parents, […]
Atlanta, GA December 14, 2020 John Adams once asked a septuagenarian Thomas Jefferson if he’d willingly live his life over again. Jefferson assured him that he would, while acknowledging that “even in the happiest life, there are some terrific convulsions, heavy set-offs against the opposite page of the account.” That brought Jefferson, who had suffered […]
Tampa, FL December 10, 1968 “Oh no!”, exclaimed a disheartened female voice. “You don’t like him either!” Over my instinctive screams, I could barely hear the words. Thru the haze, I couldn’t exactly make out who said them, to whom they were spoken, or who they were about. Then…as I paused for breath while someone […]
San Francisco, CA June 1, 2011 Yesterday dawned cool and foggy. From our eleventh-floor windows, the marine mist obscured the view down Post Street, and covered the spires and banners above and around Union Square. Down below, the clanging of cable cars announced the start of a new day in Baghdad by the Bay. In […]
San Francisco, CA May 31, 2011 From the time they were born, I have wanted to bring my boys to no place more than I have wanted to bring them here. I did so several years ago to surprise their mother when she finished a half marathon. But, much as she was surprised, and while […]
Atlanta, GA November 26, 2020 We are blessed. Our house is in a reclusive spot, away from the noise. Not that we’re entirely immune. Periodically…like fumes from a waste dump…daily news seeps in. But unlike in many cities during this horrible year, our location allows us (when better judgment lapses) the luxury of watching our […]
Atlanta, GA November 22, 2020 Writing is a dog’s life, but the only life worth living. – Flaubert Last week I finished our uncle’s new book, and started his daughter’s first podcast, which she has ably written, produced, and read. As I did, I was reminded…and impressed…by the scribbling instinct that flows thru this family. My […]
Atlanta, GA November 15, 2020 Every tribe has its honored elders, wise oracles, and seasoned sages. Ours is fortunate to have two. For years, they held an undisputed duopoly of fermented wisdom along the east coast. This year, like Constantine from the Milvian Bridge, one of them expanded the realm by reorienting his flag. Last […]