Thoughts, experiences and adventures from a resident of DelSo aka Delaware Avenue South in Albany, N.Y.
In 1976, the year Jimmy Carter was elected President, I was in fifth grade. I recall my elementary school holding a mock election, something I don’t believe schools do anymore due to the extreme political divide which has been stoked since then. Particularly in the past decade. As you might imagine, I enthusiastically voted for … Continue reading We never deserved Jimmy Carter
Maybe it’s my age or, perhaps, that English degree, but the state of language these days is bringing me down. By no means do I claim to be perfect when it comes to speaking (or writing), but I do try to select my words with care and meaning. For the child of an immigrant who … Continue reading Say what?
Hope vs. expectations, this pertains especially to the time and relationship I share with my mother who most certainly is exhibiting signs of dementia at age 86. She’s an old woman and I hope that my presence in her life brings her some happiness. In return, I expect nothing. Time as currency. It’s the most … Continue reading 24 Realizations
Earlier this month, my new desktop calendar was delivered. Yes, I still appreciate a paper calendar on my desk at work. There’s a wonderful ritual, to me, in tearing off the sullied top page and enjoying a fresh start each month. Disposing of the doodles, notes and reminders to reveal a clean slate, always leaves … Continue reading My last desktop calendar
I’ve got a confession to share - the holidays are hard. The level of stress, even in a world in which the resources are available to host dinner for 10 with home baked treats and gifts, just feels kind of overwhelming and like a poor return on investment. I hate (a word I’ve tried to … Continue reading Tis the season
I awoke thinking about the two children who had died after falling in Washington Park’s lake. It’s impossible to know what the boy had been thinking when he ventured onto ice which was nowhere near strong enough to hold his weight. Did he know he was taking a risk? Was he perhaps laughing with nerves … Continue reading Frozen in time
”What is normal?” ”Normal wasn’t so great for so many.” School massacres were normal. Genocide was normal. Corporations replacing families was normal. Drugging kids to make them obedient was normal. Dying because health care was unaffordable and too complicated and drugs that cost $13 sold for $1300 was normal. Not being able to take off … Continue reading On normal – from The Art Thieves
DelSo 