All shall be well

Originally published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette September 30, 2021 The late Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman’s, “What, me worry?” was a dimwit. Here’s a list of recent headline bugaboos that trouble me. You may have similar anxieties — feel free to add on. 1. Red Soxxer Chris Sale had Covid-19 twice and is unvaccinated.Continue reading “All shall be well”

“You had to be there!”

“During our lives, meaningful dates oft conjoin in the stars.” Every person I talk to says that 2020 was a memorable year. To be on lockdown meant home-confinement without a court-ordered leg-monitor. (I was shocked to learn that probationers have to pay a monthly ankle-bracelet fee, like cable TV—talk about double jeopardy!). Covid-19 is moreContinue reading ““You had to be there!””

Reigning Cats and Dogs

Originally published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette August 6, 2021 “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Harry S. Truman August owns a moniker, ‘the dog days of summer.’ Well, every dog must have his day, and I’ve got that off-the-leash feeling. Also, what about cats? A good question, one likely misconstruedContinue reading “Reigning Cats and Dogs”

Impeach me, I was there

Originally published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette   November 19, 2019                   Gump-like Writer Witnesses Three Impeachments          Time was that a citizen alive for the impeachment of Andrew Johnson would be long dead in the 106 years between he and Nixon. Americans live in a speeded up world. Committed voters of a certain ageContinue reading “Impeach me, I was there”

The Benefits of Travel

 Originally published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette June 4 2021 “A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” Leo Buscaglia. I’ve been lucky when it comes to friends and family. A large clan network surrounds us without much notice, yet appears when duty calls. True friends astound us, like found treasureContinue reading “The Benefits of Travel”

Preserving St. John Cantius Church 

May 11, 2021 Carolyn Misch AICP Assistant Director Planning Department Northampton, MA 01060 Subject: Preserving St. John Cantius Church  Dear Ms. Misch,        As a native of Northampton and long committed to its downtown viability, I support saving St. John Cantius. To repurpose its classic exterior would be a contribution to history forContinue reading “Preserving St. John Cantius Church “

Finding the right words

Originally published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette 5/7/2021 My educational trek featured a UMass poetry class. It was a jittery leap. The presiding poet was from Kashmir, and my classmates half the age of yours truly. A welcoming Shahid Ali wrote the King’s English with a clarity we could only aspire to. I’d written poetryContinue reading “Finding the right words”

Once a Catholic

Springfield Diocese Bishop William Byrne. SUBMITTED PHOTO Originally published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette 4/2/2021 This Easter column was in the works when a love song played in my head. It served to remind me of God’s omnipresence: “It’s Always You” Whenever it’s early twilight, I watch till a star breaks through, Funny, it’s not aContinue reading “Once a Catholic”

Missing the breakfast blarney

Published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette: 3/17/2021 Irish around the world will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday. My siblings and I knew that dad emigrated from County Kerry, Ireland. His insistence that we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day was far more than a hint. One of dad’s quirks was asking teenagers: “What countyContinue reading “Missing the breakfast blarney”