Rio de Janeiro, BrazilSeptember 13, 2001 I usually sleep well, and rarely awaken between switching off the light and turning off the alarm. That has not been the case the last two nights. While I know they are well, Rita and Alexander are ever in my mind. We try to keep busy and keep moving, […]
Rio de Janeiro, BrazilSeptember 12, 2001 After a series of fitful, intermittent, overnight naps, I awoke early this morning, knowing that yesterday’s pall would hang over today’s dawn. But the sun did rise, and pulled me with it. I cleaned up, grabbed my small bag, met my co-workers, and headed to the airport. A couple […]
Sao Paulo, Brazil September 11, 2001 The phone rang. My boss, Brian Rodkey, was on the line. “Are you watching the news?” “No. Why?” “You should turn it on. We may be here a while.” After an overnight flight from Atlanta, I arrived here early this morning. I reserved the day room for a quick […]
Atlanta, GA September 5, 2020 Time wastes too fast: every letter I trace tells me with what rapidity life follows my pen. The days and hours of it are flying over our heads like clouds of a windy day never to return. – Laurence Sterne Slow down, you crazy child, And take the phone off […]
Auburn, AL August 30, 2020 Last week Auburn students received a thinly veiled threat from Auburn administrators. The head of student affairs informed the little deviants that if they didn’t avoid crowds, conceal their faces, and cower in their corners, the semester would not continue on campus. I’m surprised they weren’t ordered to duck and […]
Atlanta, GAAugust 23, 2020 Our sons had many caregivers as they grew. They came from Poland, Romania, and Germany. Recent help was more local, mostly students looking for a bit of income and part-time work between or after classes. Several are now married, and have kids of their own. Uli Hamisch lived with us almost […]
Paris, France April 25, 2000 Virgil traced Athenian etymology to a contest between Athēnâ and Poseidon. The one who bestowed the greatest gift would become patron of the polis. The sea god provided a horse. The goddess of wisdom offered the olive. Cecrops, and history, accepted the bitter fruit of feminine favor. Dante’s poet also […]
Atlanta, GA August 16, 2020 Raising a child is filled with anxious moments. Many relate to mobility, motion, and movement. When he pulls himself from his crib. When he crawls to the top of the stairs. When he rises on two feet. When he starts putting one of them in front of the other. When […]
Atlanta, GA August 7, 2020 After almost ten days beside Lake Michigan, enjoying some normalcy and ignoring the news, we returned this week to the ongoing inanity. Like the bunny who sat near me each morning nibbling on his blade of grass, something the last several months has been gnawing at me. But as with […]
Glenn, MI July 31, 2020 Time wastes too fast: every letter I trace tells me with what rapidity life follows my pen. The days and hours of it are flying over our heads like clouds of a windy day never to return. – Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy As those who know me are aware, I […]