Love Letters

My father was posted far away to Canton, but they promised to write.  And write he did—at the rate of four or more times a week.  And she wrote back faithfully.
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Rowboat

Rowboat

When I was young my grandmother ran a small hotel on a lake in the Catskills,  and I’ve written  before about the idyllic summers I spent there with my family.  (See My Heart Remembers My Grandmother’s Hotel,  My Game Mother, Hotel Kittens,  The Cat and the Forshpeiz,  Playing with Fireand The Troubadour)

One happy memory of those childhood summers is rowing on the lake with my father,  and when I was old enough,  taking a rowboat out on my own.  

Since then I’ve certainly been on larger and more impressive boats –  but it’s the memory of that old rowboat I cherish most.   And in my mind’s eye I can still see that little girl out on the lake all alone.  And I still can hear the creak of her oarlocks,  and the croaking of the frogs as she rowed back to the dock and home.

– Dana Susan Lehrman 

Garage Sale

It was stressful to have the sale as it reminded me of the pain of packing everything up and moving. But it is a pleasure to see people walk off with their new treasures.
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Many Happy Purchases And Some Returns

 

 

Retrospect: Shoppers
By Kevin J. W. Driscoll (c) 2024

I’ve always been a bit of a consumer. Not in a hoarding sense, mind you. I’m not one of those people who fills their garage with boxes of expired cereal or their closet with clothes they’ve never worn. No, I’m more of a connoisseur of consumption. I appreciate the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of the score and of course saving money.

I remember one particularly epic shopping spree I had a few years back. It was the day after Christmas, and the stores were still absolutely packed. The air was thick with the scent of desperation and regret. People were shoving and elbowing their way through the aisles, their faces contorted in a mix of greed and terror.

I, on the other hand, was enjoying myself immensely. I wandered through the store with a leisurely pace, picking up items and putting them down, considering their merits with a thoughtful air. I even had the audacity to hum a little tune.

Eventually, I found myself in the electronics department. There, I spotted a brand new gaming console that had just been released. It was the latest and greatest – it was on sale and I knew I had to have it. I grabbed it off the shelf and headed to the checkout line.

As I waited in line, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had conquered the chaos of the post-Christmas shopping season, and I had emerged victorious with a prized possession.

But then, as I was handing over my credit card, I had a sudden pang of doubt. Had I really needed this new console? Was it worth the money I was about to spend?

I hesitated for a moment, but then I decided to go for it. After all, life’s too short to deprive yourself of the occasional indulgence.

As I walked out of the store, clutching my new console, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of buyer’s remorse. But then I thought about all the fun I was going to have playing games on it, and I quickly dismissed my doubts.

I guess that’s the thing about shopping. It’s a never-ending cycle of desire, acquisition, and regret. But somehow I keep going back for more.

–30–

 

A Cup of Tea in Ireland

A Cup of Tea in Ireland

Twice I travelled to Dublin to study at the James Joyce Summer School.  There we students were housed in a novice nun’s residency while the young women themselves were on summer break,  and yes,  you guessed it,  my husband told everyone he’d sent me to a nunnery!   (See My Love Affair with James Joyce)

The Joyce course lasted two weeks,  and Monday through Friday we attended morning classes taught by university professors,  and afternoon lectures by visiting Joycean scholars.

But on weekends we were free to stroll through St Stephens Green park,  see a play at the Abbey Theater,  visit the Irish Writers Museum,  shop for sweaters and Irish linens on Grafton Street, or pub crawl in Temple Bar.

One weekend several of us decided to take a day-long bus tour out of the city.  We left in the morning and the bus’ tour guide regaled us with Irish history and song as we drove through the beautifully lush countryside.

We were promised a lovely lunch,  but when the bus pulled up to a simple,  rather inelegant-looking roadside cafe I was skeptical.  But the Irish stew and the traditional apple cake were delicious!

And – unlike a teabag in a styrofoam cup as might be expected at a roadside dinner back in the States – when I asked for tea the waitress brought me a small tray with a teapot,  cup and saucer,  tea strainer,  sugar bowl,  and two pitchers – for milk and hot water.

So if tea is your cup of tea,  I hope you get to drink it in Ireland!

– Dana Susan Lehrman

All That Jazz

All That Jazz

We both grew up in classical music-loving families,  and still keep our radio set to WQXR,  though admittedly we seldom go to classical concerts or opera.  And as children of the 50s we love rock & roll,  and doo wop, and folk and country,  and of course the Beatles and the Stones and the Dead, and the whole rocking and soulful soundtrack of our generation.   (See  My Favorite Beatle and Rolling Stoned at the Garden)

Our son follows the jam band Phish and we love their sound too.  But though we enjoy all that music,  we don’t necessarily seek it out.   What we both really love is musical theatre,  the Great American Songbook,  and jazz – both hot and cool.

Over the years we’ve seen some great singers and musicians in cabaret and music hall –   Tony Bennett,  Annie Ross,  Ruth Brown,  and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme opening for Frank Sinatra on his 70th birthday.

And Lena Horne,  Keely Smith,  George Shearing,  Jane Monheit,  Bobby Short,  Regina Carter,  Barbara Cooke  Kenny Washington,  Bonnie Raitt,  Warren Vache,  Luci Arnez,  Joel Grey,  Nancy LaMott,  Roy Hargrove,  Audra McDonald,  Christine Ebersol,  Harry Connick Jr,  Cyndi Lauper,  and Dave Brubeck bringing down the house the last time we saw him at age 90.  (See Brubeck)

And the Manhattan Rhythm Kings,  Dick Hyman,  Liza Minelli, Jay Leonardt,  Blossom Dearie,  Vince Giodano & Nighthawks,  Margaret Whiting,  Bucky, John and Martin Pizzarelli,  Jessica Molasky,  Bill Charlap,  Dianna Krall,  Milt Hilton,  Bernadette Peters,  Woody Allen,  Judy Carmichael,  Michael Feinstein,  Patty Lapone,  Esmeranda Spalding,  Aaron Weinstein,  Norah Jones,  Stacey Kent,  and Cyrulle Aimee.

And when I was a teenager – Ella Fitzgerald in Danbury.  (See The Camper-Waitress Goes to the Fair)

But in our book the best of the jazzy chick singers,  with that special ping in her voice,  was the incomparable Rosemary Clooney.  We’d never miss Rosie when she was in town.

Rich Conaty said it on WFUV’s Big Broadcast every Sunday night – “Don’t you never forget,  rhythm saved the world.”

Dana Susan Lehrman

Pickleball Hopeful!

Pickleball Hopeful

When I started playing pickleball a few years ago I couldn’t quite explain why I found it so addictive.  (See Pickled!)

Until then I’d been playing lackluster tennis with frustrating results.  (See Tennis Woes)

Then I realized what it was – pickleball is much like tennis – except much more fun!

The fastest growing sport worldwide,  there’s a push to see pickleball in the Olympics.  But – to mix metaphors – a sport has to go through many hoops to gain Olympic status.

Yet there is a slight chance that pickleball will be an Olympic sport in 2028.  Of course I’ll be 84 then,  but if I train real hard for the next four years –  who knows!

RetroFlash / 100 Words

Dana Susan Lehrman

Forgetful Me Not

 

 

 

Retrospect: Forgetting
By Kevin J. W. Driscoll (c) 2024

I’ve lost my car and house keys more times than I can count. Once, I even forgot where I parked my car. It’s like my brain is a sieve, letting all the important stuff slip through while holding onto useless trivia like the lyrics to obscure 80s pop songs. (“Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down”.) It’s a wonder I haven’t gotten lost in my own home – yet.

I know, I know – forgetfulness is a universal experience. We’ve all had those moments when we’ve walked into a room and completely forgotten why we were there? Or when we’ve stood in front of the refrigerator, staring blankly at the contents, unable to remember what we wanted to eat? It’s a constant reminder that our minds are not as sharp as we think they are.

But perhaps our forgetfulness is a blessing in disguise. It can lead to some hilarious and embarrassing situations. I once forgot to turn off the stove after cooking dinner. My feelings of remorse and relief was pretty much equal – I am of the ‘no harm no foul’ category – except of course for the waste of money.

There are times when forgetfulness can have serious consequences. Forgetting to pay a bill can lead to financial penalties. Forgetting to take medication can have adverse health effects. And forgetting to lock the door can make your home vulnerable to thieves.

But even in the face of these potential dangers, it is important for us to remember that forgetfulness is a normal part of life. As we age, our memory naturally declines. And even young people can experience lapses in memory. So next time you forget something, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just laugh it off and move on. After all, we’re all in this together.

–30–