“Dyed-in-the-wool fools don’t need a special day” in the Philadelphia Inquirer. I love practical jokes. Even before I could tie my shoes, I was tying unsuspecting family members’ laces together. So began my career as a prankster – a profession that can sometimes prove hazardous …
Read MoreConfessions of a Canine Curmudgeon
“To put it bluntly, I don’t like your dog” in the Philadelphia Inquirer (March 25, 2011). I have a confession to make: I’m not a dog lover. Never have been, never will be. There, I’ve said it. Friends, relatives, neighbors, now you know the truth: …
Read MoreShort Story Published in Book on Fate
Ever wonder why the chicken crossed the road? Now you can find out! My short story “The Angel That Couldn’t Fly” gives the answer, and was published in The Mystery of Fate, a collection of real life stories that make you think twice about fate, common coincidence, …
Read MoreThe Parable of the Smile
To the casual observer she appeared quite normal. She met the required features of a little girl, which is to say she was cute as a button through and through. Fine hair, an adorably distinct nose, and eyes that smiled for the world. Any parent …
Read MoreComing Home
“Thanksgiving and a Welcome Melancholy” in the Philadelphia Inquirer (November 25, 2010). On a recent autumn night, I found myself sitting by the fire in the backyard. The moon and stars shone above while the fire danced and crackled below. In the quiet, there was …
Read MoreRapping at my neighbor’s door
“Halloween Fears” in the Harrisburg Patriot-News (October 28, 2010). “Suddenly there came a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” Edgar Allan Poe penned these words in “The Raven,” the story of a lonely man hidden inside his home, so …
Read MoreThe Invasion Part 2: Silly Bandz
“Silly Bandz Invasion” in Main Line Today (November 2010). The little critters started appearing in our house one at a time. Before long, they began to multiply. Fearing an infestation was imminent, I called the exterminator: “Hello. I think I have any infestation in the …
Read MoreThe Invasion Part 1: Stinkbugs
“Invasion of the Stinkbugs” in the Philadelphia Inquirer (October 19, 2010). Drifting off to sleep, I’m roused by a faint buzzing from across the room. It quiets, and I start to drift off again. But it resumes, and this time it sounds like a helicopter …
Read MoreThe red light
Driving along the highway, my eyes lay on the road before me – the cars, the turn signals, and the race to wherever home may be. “Hey, Dad!” calls the four-year-old voice from the back of the car. “Look at that sunset – it looks just …
Read MoreBlack-eyed Susan and the sun
The sun beat down on the growing cluster of black-eyed Susan as each flower below stretched skyward, a sea of yellow and black hoping to touch the fiery heaven above. Like looking into a kaleidoscope when gazed at too intently and too long, the colors …
Read MoreLiving in the moment
The four-year-old boy looks up from his bowl of cereal and declares: “I love being four.” He lifts spoon to mouth, and goes back to work.
Read MoreThe Beachcomber
Just after dawn, with the sun still low on the horizon, a lone woman searches the shoreline. Her outstretched arms clutch a metal detector as its base moves side to side over the sand. Slowly, she systematically scours the sand for the flotsam and jetsam …
Read MoreLife lessons for the superhero apprentice
“Superhero in Training” in Main Line Today (August 2010). At 4 years old, my son has just one problem in life, and it plagues him night after night. Lying in bed, a never-ending debate runs through his mind over which superhero he should be when …
Read MoreThere’s an app for that
Man looks down in his hands and taps on his toy, checking the weather and reporting his findings. God already created an app for that, I think to myself. And I look toward the sky…
Read MoreOne stamp at a time
“The Great Letter Revival Movement” in the Harrisburg Patriot-News (July 3, 2010). An unspoken, hopeful moment in my day, and I daresay in most people’s, occurs with the simple act of reaching into the mailbox. Somewhere deep in our subconscious is a deep longing for …
Read MoreUnearth Day: Digging in the Dirt
“The case for ‘Unearth Day’” in the Philadelphia Inquirer (April 21, 2010). This week, as folks around the globe celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I propose that we establish an offshoot movement to be known as “Unearth Day.” Earth Day, which is Thursday, …
Read MoreEaster morn
Looking out the kitchen window on Easter morning, I discover four cardinals perched in the branches of the ornamental dogwood tree. Though spring has arrived, the tree still holds onto its winter dress – woody branches and nothing more. Its buds, leaves and blooms have …
Read MoreThe litterer
My daughter is a litterer. Coming home from work at night, or taking out the trash, or while picking up fallen branches in the yard, every so often I’ll discover a piece of bright construction paper perched in a bush or laying on the lawn. …
Read MoreBonusgate: The suffix scandal
“Scandalously unoriginal” in the Philadelphia Inquirer (March 24, 2010). Here’s another verdict that should come out of the continuing Bonusgate corruption trials in Harrisburg: a cease-and-desist order against future use of the suffix “-gate.” Here’s what I would like to see in the courtroom: The jury …
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