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 […]

Blondie in The Water

I love salt water.  I love being tossed about by the wave and I love feeling the tug and push of the tides.  I find it mesmerizing.  I can’t think of a better example to describe our planet’s forces of nature.  Get into the salt water on an East coast beach and you won’t need […]

Our Last Kiss

  Our last kiss Was it that long ago? A smile, a hug, a caress Once so abundant Promise me Never taken for granted A hand Delicate, steady, firm Tell me, it’s still there A laugh, a twinkle, applause Thank you, it meant so much A dream, a wish, a prayer Persuade me, it’s all […]

Would You Like to See my Cleaver Collection?

We’re a peculiar lot.  Professional cooks often have quirks and idiosyncrasies that most rational people would find perhaps, circumspect.  Yet we earn those quirks sincerely.  It comes with our territory.  Long hours in a brutal environment, late night trips to the emergency room and looking at all those tattoos and piercings can make anyone a […]

A High Note

  Finally the rain had abated.  The last four or five Saturday mornings have been awash in combinations of rain, lightning, wind and thunder.  However, this past weekend the biggest meteorological threat was sunburn.  We all slept in to what I consider late, 7:30 for the adults, 9:00 for the teenagers.  After sharing coffee and […]

Dear God,

It’s been six months and you know how your people love milestones and I guess I’m no different.  So I’m writing to say thank you.  I know I promised I was going to do some things better but I don’t feel like I’ve followed through.  I promise I’m trying.  I apologize for not coming to […]

Solo, Page 49

I can’t remember being shy even though my Mom swore up and down that I was.  I usually sat in the front of the class, didn’t mind speaking up, raised my hand often and volunteered when needed.  As an English Lit major, it was not uncommon for me to recite Byron, Shakespeare or a give […]