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FANS
In earlier essays, there was a tribute to railings and to our bashful commodes, both of which bring joy and comfort to our lives. In that same spirit, I believe it is time to pay tribute to fans of all kinds. For the first twelve or thirteen years of my life, I was forced to…
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“THERE’S NO REASON LEFT TO STAY HERE”
I would like to borrow a small amount of time to tell you about a wonderful woman from Chicago who provided the title to this essay. The story really starts in February, 1953 at 4919 West 69th Street Terrace, located in the thriving metropolis of Prairie Village, Kansas. We did not have zip codes at…
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THANK YOU, BERNIE MADOFF
This morning when Bernie Madoff was sentenced (June 29), he was given a term of 150 years. He is now 71 years of age and I doubt that he will live to see the end of his term. There are no two ways about it. Bernie Madoff was a disaster for many American investors and…
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A THOUGHT OR TWO ABOUT “THE GIFT OF CHASTITY”
There are two or three thoughts that must be established before we proceed into this essay. The first has to do with vows that Catholic priests embrace, saying that they will live a life of poverty, obedience, and chastity. Secondly, your old essayist has never claimed to lead a life based on these three concepts. …
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I DECLARE
If my mother had lived, she would now be 131 years old. But of course she didn’t live. Curiously as I grow older I am given to thoughts about my mother. I suppose we enjoyed a normal relationship as much as could be expected under the circumstances. My mother came from Golconda in Pope County,…
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TRANSLATING DAVID BROOKS
David Brooks is a scholar in his mid fifties who writes a twice-weekly column for The New York Times. Brooks is also a frequent guest on television shows. It is clear that Brooks has a background of being a teacher, a lecturer and a scholar. A year or 18 months ago, Mr. Brooks was an…
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“BECAUSE THAT’S WHERE THE MONEY ISN’T”
Mr. William Sutton was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1901. There were five children in the Sutton family. As soon as Mr. Sutton completed the eighth grade, he quit school and that was the last of his academic career. We find that the records show that William Sutton departed this vale of tears in…
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IN MEMORIAM ROSEMARY ROCHE DADY 1928 – 2008
Robert Browning, the English poet, once wrote these lines: Grow old along with me The best is yet to be, The last of life for which the first was made. Poets are dreamers. They are not pragmatists. The last of life for aged people involves loss of hearing, reduced visual acuity, arthritis, and…
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IRA HUDAS: A SOMETIME SOLDIER
It is peculiar or perhaps amusing to find that one memory prompts another one. I am writing this on September 17 which is the day after the horrible tragedy at the Washington Naval Yard. In this case, the memory that has been revived goes back to 1942. If my mathematics are correct, which are not…
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GIFTY’S SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT
As some of my readers know, I have employed home health aides as a means of avoiding institutional care. I require help during the evening and midnight hours. Among other things, my ability to stand up or get up during the night time is limited. During the course of an evening, I may stand up…