Thin Mints, Triscuit Crackers, and Ben Grauer: New Year’s Eve Memories

New Year's Eve was always special tradition in my boyhood home because it was also my parents' wedding anniversary.  Just prior to my dad being shipped off to boot camp during World War Two, those two crazy kids drove from Detroit to that romantic getaway of Napolean, Ohio, where, ostensibly, it was the equivalent of a … Continue reading Thin Mints, Triscuit Crackers, and Ben Grauer: New Year’s Eve Memories

Faceless

Today I logged into Facebook for the first time in quite a while.  I was immediately confronted with a picture of myself in an album specially created to show the world my many accomplishments in 2014.  It contains posts and photos of mine, most notably the announcement of my retirement and our move to Florida.  As usual, … Continue reading Faceless

Of Cell Phones and the Balance of Nature

Perhaps you were holiday shopping and missed it, but there was an incredible atmospheric happening around 3:00pm EST on Saturday. The sun exploded and colored the sky in celebration of something truly eventful. If you did see it, I can certainly appreciate that you might have thought it had something to do about you. Sadly, I'm sorry … Continue reading Of Cell Phones and the Balance of Nature

Then Again, Maybe I Just Like How it Tastes

For a period of about ten years I lived, breathed, and thought about wine nearly every day. I subscribed to weekly food and wine newsletters from major California and Oregon newspapers, read books on wine making, and used words such as terroir and varietal. I'm sure I said those words when I visited wine stores, or at a dinner table with friends and family.  I would … Continue reading Then Again, Maybe I Just Like How it Tastes

Say What?

Maybe it's just me, but I thought the below was rather frightful.  I went to pick up my sister at the airport today and noticed this sign near the arrival gates.  I'm just very grateful that I didn't have to pick her up in the D.O.A. Area.  I suspect she is too.