Christmas always makes me feel melancholy. I don't think it is a lack of presents or cookies or family or traditions - I have as much of those things as I desire. Each year when this emotional deflation occurs, it surprises me. The unanticipated sobering, despite festive bubbles imbibed, seems to sneak up on me … Continue reading Ghosts of Christmases Past
Tag: life
Instant Karma
On the anniversary of John Lennon's death I can't help but remember where I was at that time. Freshman year, high school, almost winter. The news took me by surprise, of course. First John Bonham, now John Lennon. Two of my favorite bands were clearly never ever getting back together, a reality that predates Taylor … Continue reading Instant Karma
Rivers of green and blue tears
There was a boy at school today wearing a Shenendehowa letterman jacket. A legitimate, old school jacket with well-worn leather sleeves which were a bit grungy at the wrists. Traditional and classic, it fit him well. When I asked how he had come to own such a vintage jacket, he quickly, and proudly, said it belonged … Continue reading Rivers of green and blue tears
When Thanksgiving became Independence Day
Many years ago, pre-children, I remember discussing the merits of instructing children to cross only at the green vs. teaching them how to jaywalk intelligently. Their father and I agreed that the latter was the ideal and vowed to do exactly that when we eventually had a family. I thought about this conversation during my … Continue reading When Thanksgiving became Independence Day
Service Veterans
I was thinking recently about how the two servers I generally work with are a combined age that is equal to my own. How funny is that? I'm sure there are people who would be unhappy about being the oldest employee in a particular business, but it honestly doesn't bother me. I feel fortunate to … Continue reading Service Veterans
Closing and opening a door
I said something to a friend the other night about how I don't know how to fix things, I just learn to adapt to them. At the time, I was speaking explicitly about my wonky door which doesn't close firmly unless you futz with it. Wonky and futz are technical terms, obviously. When the words … Continue reading Closing and opening a door
When a house is a home
The other night I attended my oldest son's annual Open House at Albany High School. He's a sophomore this year so I didn't have the same sense of urgency to go as I did last fall when he was a mere freshman. Despite my strong desire to stay at home to watch the Yankees play, … Continue reading When a house is a home