My friend Al, pictured above, and I met as seniors in high school. Al was a charter member of our imaginary rock group the Frazier Thomas Band. Indeed, he was the imaginary producer of our first imaginary record album. Back in high school, my smart-ass first impression of Al had been, here is a guy […]
The Pstihurism
For many, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of Summer, but here in the northern climes where I reside, this artificial demarcation is more a function of culture than weather. Despite the strong likelihood that we will enjoy at least several more weeks of hot daytime temps better suited for T-shirts and cut-offs, schoolboys in […]
Bittersweet
It is hard to imagine how the arrangements could have come off any better than they did. First, to my surprise, by the time I arrived at Deer Tick Manor on Thursday night in advance of our celebration of Lee’s life this past Saturday, the large party tent already had been erected on the lawn […]
Autumn Leaves
This week’s post will have to be short. I prepare to leave for Deer Tick Manor on Thursday night. On Friday I will help direct the setup for Saturday’s long overdue celebration of Lee’s life. I recently have spent more time attending to professional matters than at any time this Summer. And before I depart, […]
Countdown
The final countdown is begun. On August 28 we will gather at Deer Tick Manor to celebrate Lee’s life. This pandemic-delayed event is long overdue. Our celebration will be held outside on the grounds, so it is full speed ahead despite the recent surge in Covid cases and despite Deer Tick being located firmly within […]
The Dinner
My friends Bob and Linda are in town for the week. Bob is one of my oldest friends and a charter member of our imaginary rock group, The Frazier Thomas Band. Linda, Bob’s wife, who was Lee’s best friend, has become one of my best friends. Linda’s birthday was Tuesday. Bob and Linda planned to […]
Reunion
Not unexpectedly, but to my slight disappointment, Lola did not run to greet me as I entered and parked in the driveway. She managed to briefly tear herself away from Donna and the deflated rugby ball cum dog toy long enough to jump up against me once or twice as I rounded the corner of […]
No Holiday From Grief
Last Friday I packed Lola the pup off to the great north woods with my RV pals, Donna and Craig, who have a lake home where they will be spending the next few weeks. I myself will be on holiday for the next couple of weeks. The timing means that I will miss Lola’s 1st […]
Road Test
After Robyn informed me that her granddaughter had been selected to perform the national anthem at a Major League Baseball game, I took steps to secure very good seats close to home plate with an excellent vantage point of both the field and her granddaughter. Just before game time a young woman emerged onto the […]
Word of Mouth
At long last, shortly before Labor Day we will be hosting a celebration of Lee’s life here at Deer Tick Manor, where Lola the pup and I currently are spending several relaxing days. The guest list mainly consists of the folks whose email addresses we had gathered last summer around this same time, as we […]
I Get By
An Open Letter to Friends and Family: So, dear friends and family, today is July 8, 2021, and I have made it through Year One relatively intact. I say it is relative because, as you well know, the seismic shift to my world that occurred when Lee died still reverberates. My world now is altered, […]
My First Anniversary
Tomorrow will mark exactly one year since Lee died from pancreatic cancer. When I first agreed to contribute to this site last February, I said that these weekly musings were mostly for me. The statement remains true as far as it goes, but today my words also are intended as a tribute to my wonderful […]