Tag: New York

Goose Bumps

Do you remember those? Goose bumps? I seemed to get them a lot when I was a kid. I would encounter something that I found to be unexpectedly gorgeous, fantastic, awe-inspiring, breath-taking, and I would get goosebumps. But the older I get, the less I seem to experience goose bumps. Oh dear: less euphoria in my life?! I really don’t… Continue reading

The Future Just Isn’t What It Used to Be

Predicting the Future I view much, probably most, of the conversation/predictions about what the future holds with a generous amount of skepticism. But some predictions hold a believable level of certainty and, frankly, are worrisome to me. Self-Driving Cars, for Example I believe that self-driving cars are in our not-too-distant future. And this frightens more than comforts me. For example,… Continue reading

Forget the Future; Imagine the Past

Interview I came across an interview by the Paris Review Magazine with William Gibson*, the sci-fi writer who created the neologism, “cyberspace.” His perspective is always so challenging and insightful. This portion of the interview is making the rounds in cyberspace: It’s harder to imagine the past that went away than it is to imagine the future. What we were… Continue reading

Art and Craftsmanship

I vividly remember, as a very young child, my father pulling into a gas station. I recall exactly where it was. Nothing exists there now. In fact, it’s been paved over and is now a major road intersection. But then, it was a gas station with dirt parking, no pavement, anywhere. It was hot. (Florida generally is.) The car windows… Continue reading

I Can’t Wait!

This documentary about the skill and art of sign painters looks like it will be great fun. The trailer hints at rich and quirky characters, the warmth, and personable nature of a bygone era. I can’t wait to see it. The book is already out, and I’ve ordered it. Check out their website at this link. There was a time,… Continue reading

Helen Ivey: Effervescence Filled with Wondrous Adventure

I have known many wonderful people in my life, but none has been so singular and so positive (always a huge smile) as the bright, energetic soul that was Aunt Helen Ivey, the Senior Warthog. Her sudden and unexpected passing, after 91 years on this Earth, has filled my heart with extreme sadness. Helen was not just generations ahead of… Continue reading

This Just Can’t End Well

I say it over and over again: Are we creating a future we will actually want to live in in this country? The American people are too preoccupied and fractured to address some hyper-critical decisions that are being quietly made with such significant long term implications. It all started with the funding of security cameras at quarter mile increments down… Continue reading

Goodbye, Old Friend [UPDATED]

This post has been long in arriving! Well, it’s sad in a way. We lived here for about 4 years, but now the house at 1901 North Poinsettia Avenue, in Manhattan Beach, is completely empty. I really enjoyed the house: the ocean breeze that blasted through it (ripping the curtains completely out of the wall when we first moved in),… Continue reading

When God Just Isn’t Enough

I’ve been in Long Island for several days and returned home late yesterday. Today the doorbell rang.  Once again (This is the fourth time!) two Mormon missionaries, young guys in their twenties, were at the door.  I was surprised at what they said as their “come on” line. “We’ve stopped by to talk with you about family.” So talking about… Continue reading