Lola and I are invited to dinner one evening next week at the home of Michael and Hannan, who live in the neighborhood but are not, strictly speaking, our neighbors, as we live several short blocks apart. Lola introduced us. It’s been more than one year. As best I can tell, Michael and Hannan would […]
The Satisfaction of Being a Tutor
It’s fast approaching the conclusion of the tutoring year. This past Tuesday, the tutoring organization directed tutors to conduct the first half of the “post-assessment.” The assessment consists of two sections, reading comprehension and math. On Tuesday, I administered the reading portion of the test to Zoey, who in the next month or so is […]
Fear and Uncertainty
Fear and uncertainty. With countries worldwide trading angry threats, I suddenly feel fearful and uncertain about my future well-being. I struggle to stay focused and calm. Meanwhile, the roiling financial markets and dire warnings of experts and pundits do little to restore my confidence and well-being regarding the future. Recent events have felt like a […]
Two Old Shoes
I met Eric in early Fall during our senior year of high school, shortly after my folks uprooted me from the heart of the City where I had spent my entire life to that point for the greener pastures of Suburbia. This sudden upheaval disoriented me. Virtually overnight, I was displaced, alone and friendless, living […]
Lee is Having Another Birthday
Lola and I returned home from Tucson around ten days ago. Predictably, at the end, we were greeted by bumper-to-bumper traffic conditions amidst interminable local construction projects that extended our long road trip by ninety extra, stressful minutes, wintery temperatures, gusty winds, and thick, overcast skies. Ah, it’s good to be home again. My calendar […]
8 Days a Week
As of today, Lola and I have only one more week in Tucson. Yesterday I consulted maps with a calendar. This extra day had me humming the old Beatles’ hit song, Eight Days a Week: “E-i-g-h-t- days a week, I l-o-o-o-v-e, love you. E-i-g-h-t- days a week, is not enough to show I care.” Smiling […]
More Than Wishful Thinking
Lola the pup has a trick. In the morning when she is ready to eat, she picks up her travel food bowl and parades with it, making sure that anybody up and about knows she wants to be fed. I get Lola’s message, naturally, but there is a time threshold I will hold her to […]
A New Adventure with My Friends
Bob and Linda made it out to Tucson from Ohio last year. I wrote a piece, “Putting the Band Back Together,” describing their visit. I suspect what I wrote at the time will in the relevant part still apply today: “This week has featured non-stop socializing. For one week, my dear friends, Bob and Linda, […]
Recycling History
During her recent visit to Tucson, Robyn mentioned that she was scheduled to take a medical test once she returned home. She was upset by the prospect and visibly concerned. Thankfully, it seems she is okay. Of course, it’s natural to feel the way Robyn was feeling. The worry that comes with the suspense of […]
Western Valentines
Robyn arrived here in Tucson just before midnight on Saturday. Through Wednesday afternoon we hiked, shopped, gambled, visited friends, kissed and hugged, and sampled the best that Tucson has to offer, despite Robyn repeating she still hates this place. Oh, well, I guess one can’t please everybody, not to mention we have big plans for […]
In the Land of the Lotus Eaters
Pickleball or pedicure? Reporting from the desert, it is today’s burning question. Meanwhile, earlier this morning Robyn mentioned an ice storm is a possibility back home. Nothing major as ice storms go, mind you, but even an icy veneer will cause fender benders, clog gutters, freeze exterior doors and gates. Walking to your train or […]
A Rainy, Cold Day in Tucson
I’m still cold. Today’s high temperature hovered around fifty degrees, much below normal. And it rained. *** It’s early morning when I get a message from a friend that our regularly scheduled recreational pickleball game is being canceled due to a lack of a “quorum.” I think, “That’s an odd way to put it.” Nevertheless, […]