The Smile of a Stranger
After the rain broke, I took a short bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit trail. I slowed for an approaching cyclist at the intersection of Wardlaw Street. A kid on a beat-up ten speed bike (an old Schwinn) came flying down Wardlaw. He jammed on the brakes, skidded onto the SRT, stood on the […]
A Tale of Two BBQ’s
Hudson Denney has just handed me perhaps the most memorable bite of BBQ I’ve ever had. It’s beef brisket; tender as a poem by Byron, more complex than a fine Bordeaux, redolent with spice, smoke, acid, sweetness, and cherry wood overtones. Hudson can tell I’m impressed by my wicked smile. I’ve been coming to […]
A Honey of a Smile
Patrick Square’s Farmer’s Market was buzzing with activity yet the sky behind Liydia Vdovichenko had grown menacing. The threat of a thunderstorm was in the air yet she wasn’t fazed. There were shoppers with money in their hands and she had something precious for sale. Honey. Made by her family’s bees, gathered by the […]
“At This Performance”
Tears had formed in the eyes of Eric Ruiz and there wasn’t a tissue within 300 feet, and I suddenly felt stupid for not being prepared. But I didn’t think I would need tissues. After all, Eric plays a character capable of murder, one so intimidating that an entire community cedes to his demands, […]
I’ll have St. Pete with a Squeeze of Lime
The rain pelted against the house, sounding like rocks tossed by an angry neighbor, waking us well before our six am alarm went off. I trudged out of bed, turned up the heater then returned with two cups of strong coffee and crawled under the blankets. A strong gust lashed against the windows as my […]
The Ripple Effect
“Mom? It’s John. Just calling to say we’re home now.” We had spent an entire week with my mother. We cooked for her almost every day, took her out for oysters, looked through old photos, sat with her in the kitchen and shared coffee, and listened as she told stories of her childhood to […]
Raising Six Grand
For the last four years I’ve made a donation to our local Juvenile Diabetes (JDRF) fundraiser. This is a great charity, the local group raises hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they always score very high for efficiency and effectiveness. And our community gets very involved in the fundraising. This group never sits still; they sponsor […]
February
February’s winds brought heavy grey skies Thick with a Southern surprise I stood at the window, took in the sight Of a tree, sturdy and aged, that’s brought us many a morning delight A home to sparrows, mockers, Juncos and warblers that Enchant with song, dazzle our eye, and often confound the cat She […]
Sky Dive
At 7,000 feet, the jump master opened the door and offered me a thumbs up. The air whooshed through the cabin, animating the nylon of my jumpsuit. As the green patchwork gently retreated past the spinning props and whistling wingtips, I stood up, gripped the hand rail, and hesitated. “John, I have a job I […]
My Underwear was Showing
Rob’s face held no secrets. His last six days had been sleepless, full of pain and suffering, tears and anguish and it showed. His brother, just 34 years old, lay in a linen-draped casket just an arm’s reach away. What must have been going through Rob’s mind? Perhaps visions of the two of them […]