Let there be peace on earth — especially in USA

September 10, 2017

It’s time. It typically starts on Sept. 1 or thereabout — the anniversary commemorations. The annual reruns of certain documentaries … and the introduction of several new ones, too. The new facts, the revelations the finger-pointing of the mistakes that led to the appalling end results. The stories of terror, horror, fear. The stories of heroism, selflessness, sacrifice. The specific and general recollections of that dark, desperate day. It is time, once again, for deep reflection.Time for quiet, pensive contemplation. Time for sorrowful remembrance. And time for a return ...

The end of summer and other irksome stuff

September 3, 2017

Well, here we are once again, the calendar equivalent of the death knell to summer. Cue the Darth Vader theme music because it is Labor Day Weekend, y’all. Sure, I know it’s a great celebration of the American worker. I understand the importance of honoring those who paved the way, both literally and figuratively, for the rest of us to enjoy many of the fair labor practices in place today. I salute and thank them. That being said, I think we all also recognize what else the Labor Day holiday effectively represents — the unofficial beginning of autumn. Sure, the calendar states ...

Walking 22 years of miles in my shoes

August 27, 2017

I have this little pair of shoes that I love. I had them on last week at work. And last month at Mass. And a year ago at a graduation party. I wear them everywhere. They are all-at-once chic and super cute. You know the sort. You have a few pairs yourself. They are your “go-to” shoes in a pinch. You can dress them up or down. They pair equally well with a sundress or a work suit or a pair of blue jeans and a sweater. Mine are beige with a delicate, understated flat bow across the top and bear the slightest hint of a paisley design throughout. They have heels but not so ...

Why, yes, English IS my first language

August 20, 2017

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, English is one tricky language. From homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings and / or spellings) and idioms (terms that are not necessarily literal and often have origins in local slang) to complex word order (subjects, objects, adverbs, adjectives, clauses, tenses, whew!) to silent letters and other illogical spelling rules (the old “i before e except after c...”) to articles, prepositions and nuanced pronunciations, oh my! Still unconvinced? Consider this: Pineapples contain neither pine nor apples. ...

It’s unconditionally a doggie dog world out there

August 13, 2017

Last Father’s Day, I told you about some funny, poignant and prolific words of wisdom often uttered by my father — not to mention the saucy and sidesplitting ones. #myfatherishilarious Again, shameless plug for the future here but stay tuned for more to come on a book about the stuff my pop says. Either way, as a child, I would occasionally misunderstand, misinterpret, mispronounce (especially the Italian quips) some of those one-liners, such as “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there.” My grade school ears heard that expression as follows: “It’s a doggie dog world out ...

Hang up camera … err, texter, and just talk

August 6, 2017

The evolution of the telephone is very well documented. Everyone knows that in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made history when he used his new invention to summons his assistant, Thomas Watson, to his side from another location in the house where they’d been working on the world’s first telephone with the words, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.” There is some slight controversy over whether he actually said “I want to see you,” as Bell told the story, or if he uttered, “I want you,” as Watson recalled it. Man, good help must have ALWAYS been hard to find. I ...