In March 2019, we were at Sloan-Kettering every day. I never got used to it. Every time I entered the building, I had the same stomach-ache. Every time I left, I felt the same relief. This wasn’t a reflection on the facilities, which, as doctors’ offices go, are very comfortable: no blaring televisions, no pharmaceutical […]
Category Archives: News
Openings and closings
Today, the Jersey City municipal government is reopening local parks. Not all of them, but enough of them to put a small smile of relief on my face. Berry Lane Park on Garfield Avenue is the size of several city blocks. It shouldn’t be too difficult for us to practice social distancing there. The sun […]
Going north
Hilary’s car was not made for highway driving. It’s about the size of a teacup, and it gets tossed about the street in a light breeze. Nevertheless, when the weather is right, we’re compelled by the prospect of the open road. Since the beginning of the lockdown, we hadn’t done much more than move the […]
Yesterday it rained
With full awareness of the emptiness of the metaphor, I was determined to turn a corner. I was going to set aside my worries and rededicate myself to writing and music, and maybe discover a little optimism hidden in somewhere in my outlook. After examining the subject from every angle I could, I’d decided for […]
The trick is to keep breathing
Hilary got a package of masks in the mail — three of them, hand-sewn and sold through Etsy. I chose the blue one with pink flowers on it; it’s cute, but I can’t say I wore it well. If I’m wearing a mask properly, it fogs up my glasses and makes me want to sneeze. […]
The exit door
On a day of dispiriting news, the most unwelcome came from Northern China. The city of Harbin is locking down again after an outbreak in Heilongjiang Province. Heilongjiang is right on the border, so it’s likely that China will blame the spike on returning nationals; a story in Shanghaist points the finger at a young […]
A fine pot of gumbo (with Carolina Gold rice)
Whenever we’ve gone to Atlanta, our first stop has always been Miller Union. Usually that means lunch, because it’s only at mid-day when the restaurant serves its homemade ice cream sandwiches, cut into squares from a great big pan and wrapped in tissue paper. For a plant-eater like me, Miller Union is an absolute delight, […]
Storytelling
Brad and Megan stopped by. They were on their way from Brooklyn to Brad’s parents’ house in Somerset County. They stood on one side of the fence in our small front yard, and we stood on the other. Hilary gave them two avocados and a bottle of hand sanitizer. I tried to give them a […]
Walking into walls
The sun shone, the temperature was mild, and Hilary wanted to go for a walk. We hadn’t been outdoors for days. We discussed a few other options: opening all the windows, a bicycle ride (but where?), a drive to South Mountain Reservation. But South Mountain Reservation is closed. We put on our coats and our […]
Another Sunday sermon
Even for nonbelievers, a church service can be a powerful experience. A good service can change your eye level from the gutter to the heavens. It can put you in contact with your community, and with the stories that we tell to remind ourselves that we’re human beings. If churchgoing is part of your life, […]