Thoughts, experiences and adventures from a resident of DelSo aka Delaware Avenue South in Albany, N.Y.
A couple of late summers ago, Jeter and I were on our usual walk around the Normanskill Farm. We had wandered down the yellow brick road and the trail near the creek, made our way up the gravel road and looped around to where the path divided the bountiful community garden from the kill. The … Continue reading Red dahlias of hope
Just another day in America yet, somehow, since it’s the day before my students return to their classrooms after summer break, the latest school shooting in the United States is hitting me hard. Why do we tolerate this? Why do we allow our government to do nothing? Why have we given organizations like the NRA … Continue reading Starting the school year off with a bang
I learned this week of the loss of a friend from high school. Before I go further, you should know a couple of things - first I hesitated to write “friend,” because it’s a word that suggests a connection and intimacy that I wasn’t certain I should claim there had been between Gary and myself. … Continue reading Death of a crusader
Within minutes of arriving at the neighborhood association holiday event, I had heard the terrible news about Matt Peter dying. I was at the party to take photographs of party attendees, something I do as often as I can when asked, and my task immediately became more difficult. How in the world was I going … Continue reading The death of the future mayor
More years ago than I can believe, I worked with a really sweet young man, S, at a restaurant on Lark Street. When we met he was at his best, something I didn’t know until later when I saw him at what was arguably his worst. He was clear eyed, good looking and hardworking, a … Continue reading Crying to Cope
My last full day in Nafplio was a difficult one. The well being of the tiny kitten I felt compelled to care for weighed heavily on me. There were tears and I felt mentally and emotionally occupied much of the day. My appetite disappeared and the indulgent last meal I had imagined with anticipation lost … Continue reading Mantra for a kitten. And me.
I’d heard it mewling, maybe since the first day I arrived. I assumed the kitten was being unattended periodically as its mother perhaps searched for food in this country where stray cats and dogs often fend for themselves. By the third day however, the sound the kitten was making took on proportions, for me, on … Continue reading The white kitten
DelSo 