It was 7:00AM and I was on my way to feed the horses when I heard gunshots in the distance. Hunting? Maybe. It was barely light out and too early for target practice. Then, another — CRACK! —, closer this time. What the hell was going on?
Continue reading “Disquieting Beauty”
I received my Top Secret (TS), Special Compartmentalized Information (SCI) clearance in 1989. I was an Army Captain at the time. Before receiving the clearance, I did not know what work I would actually do in my new job. When I was cleared into the program, the first thing Gene, my new boss, asked was “How do you feel about Nuclear War?”
Continue reading “Nuclear War”
The line that troubled me was at the end of the quote. “These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest.” It was of course Mr Trump speaking about Stallone, Voight and the racist homophobe Gibson, but it made me think to myself, “Ah yes, of course. The Watching has begun in Hollywood and will soon spread elsewhere.”
Continue reading “The Watchers”
I was a cookbook junkie for a couple of decades. The last few years, I’ve kept my addiction in check. I try and take it one meal at a time, which has worked … so far. Of course, I continue collecting online recipes and recipes from friends like a fiend.
Continue reading “A Cookbook Junkie”
The First Amendment says – “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press …” What happens when Congress doesn’t do anything to abridge the freedom of the press, but the press does it to themselves? Maybe out of fear, maybe for profit, or perhaps other reasons we aren’t aware of.
Continue reading “A Free Press”
A little over a year ago, I met Suhas Subramanyam for the first time. Last Friday evening, I attended a party for his swearing in as our Congressman in Washington DC. We are lucky to have him represent us, although it was not luck that elected him. It was hard work.
Continue reading “Suhas”
I still see the chunk of tractor-trailer tire flipping end-over-end in slow motion towards us. Growing bigger and bigger, it slammed into the front of our car and bounced off the hood, before disappearing in a flash. The actual elapsed time was perhaps one second from start to finish, but it was enough, and the damage was done.
Continue reading “Chunk of Tire”
My friend Evan wrote this on FB. I asked his permission to republish it. It’s worth a read during this holiday season … As a Jewish student in elementary school, I recall vivid memories of daily prayers at the beginning of class. These prayers, all Christian in nature, were part of a routine that most of my peers participated in without question.
Continue reading “Evan”
Cath and I recently saw “A Christmas Carole” at Ford’s Theatre, our 12th year in a row. I always find it renewing and every year, a different character or part of the play touches me. Not just Scrooge, or Tiny Tim, or the Ghosts, but sometimes a minor character like Old Fezziwig stays with me and provides inspiration.
Continue reading “Old Fezziwig”
Army-Navy. Yep, it’s this week – the renewal of the rivalry that started in 1890. This year, Army is 11-1 and Navy is 8-3, but records rarely seem to matter. I know I never take the game for granted and always feel a churn in my stomach in the days and hours leading up to game time.
Continue reading “Singing Second”
Live Life Exuberantly 