My Friend, Don

My Friend, Don

My Friend, Don While I could make the argument that every day brings us a reason to take pause, and to be grateful for the blessings in our life…the truth is, it usually takes a reminder (often grim) to make this sentiment resonate. I was recently asked to say a...
Thumbs of Steel

Thumbs of Steel

Thumbs of Steel My grandfather, Elbert, was deaf and mute his entire life.  Couldn’t hear a damn thing, and couldn’t speak.  He could only make some noises, more grunts really…which changed in pitch, depending on his emotion or intent. Papa, as I...
Look Mom, Ze Plane

Look Mom, Ze Plane

Look Mom, Ze Plane I have a semi-vivid, age-warped, nostalgic memory from approximately 1977 that flashes before me every now and then, and depending on the mood I’m in…evokes a wide range of emotion from curious to calm, and from melancholy to joy. The memory is that...
The Infrequency of Justice

The Infrequency of Justice

The Infrequency of Justice As I was growing up, I knew a man who stood for, and in fact fought for…Truth, Justice and the American Way. I mean, this guy was super. He had super-human strength, X-ray vision, and he could fly! He couldn’t lie, and he loved his mama....