Suprise Me

Memories of three beach trips that I hadn't thought about for years triggered by a Retrospect prompt. Read More

I loved to read as a child and would often take trips to my local library, the Sherwood Forest branch of the Detroit Public Library, as well as my school library. I remember the first book I ever read there: “Elizabeth Enters” about the recently deceased sovereign. Even as a second grader, I enjoyed learning… Read More

If you say something embarrassing, you may be able to deny it plausibly. That's not the case if you embarrass yourself IN WRITING! Read More

Seating Plan Years ago when our son was busy studying his bar mitzvah Torah portion,  we were busy planning the celebratory luncheon that would follow the service.  (See Ghostwriting in the Family) We picked the restaurant,  selected the menu,  made up the guest list,  and sent out the invitations. We invited family of course,  our friends… Read More

Founded in 1948, Brandeis is a young university with a small, largely uninvolved alumni base, though the university is getting better at grooming their younger alumni. The Alumni Office knew they had a winner in me right from the start. I used to stop in and visit, particularly after my kids were born. I’d take… Read More

My Father's Religion was the Democratic Party Read More

She wanted me to be her instrument; I just wanted to be her fearless union leader. Read More

Kitchen Radio Back in the 50s it seemed – much to my childish angst –  my parents were the last on our Bronx block to get a television set.   But of course we always had the radio. My dad was a self-taught classical pianist and we had what was then a state-of-the-art hifi system… Read More

Still, on a quiet Sunday there is nothing more relaxing than working my way through that pile of newspapers. Read More

I look at this photo and sigh. This was my family’s Thanksgiving table seventy years ago. I’m the second child on the left, sharing a meal with two generations now gone. In fact, my dear cousin sitting directly across from me has also died. But the tradition of sharing a meal with folks you love… Read More