Bedtime rituals
The reading of the second book is always the most challenging. I sit next to my 2-year-old son and force my eyes wide while reading that riveting thriller “One Fish, Two [...]
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Posted May 05, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Posted March 31, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Vaccine — do you need another reason?
Seven of my siblings wait in line before me. Judy, Carol, Marla, John, Joyce, Jim and Cathy. I’m at the tail end. One at a time, they go into a [...]
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Posted March 03, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Cross-country skiing in a bean field
Should I take the steep, black diamond run on the mountain to the left, or the longer, curving run on the mountain to the right? Do I want deep snow [...]
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Posted February 03, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Self-help books and fries
We are late, my friend and I. The doors to the hall at Hoyt Sherman Place are already closed. We can hear the murmur of voices as we rush up [...]
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Posted January 06, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
Old men — part 1
The boxwood stump, buried by leaves, snagged my dragging foot and landed me face-first in the soft ground. Ker-plop. No fanfare. No discussion. And certainly no dissent on the part [...]
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Posted December 02, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
‘This is going to hurt’
“Joe, this is going to hurt.” No kidding. I lie on my back trying to visualize a white sand beach with crystal blue water and a cabana worker offering an [...]
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Posted November 04, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Between donuts
We sit on the bench. Both of us mouths open, heads leaned back, eyes wide. Glazed donuts melting in our hands as we watch. Clearly, no parent is in charge [...]
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Posted September 30, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
A tree on a roof
The tree rests comfortably on the roof. Nonchalantly, really. Not a care in the world. Might as well be in a pushed-back recliner with feet up. Perhaps a cigar would [...]
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Posted September 02, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
Naked ladies
One moment there’s nothing, the next moment — beautiful flowers. Magic. Which must be why the blossoms stand at the very tippy top as if suddenly sprouting out of the [...]
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Posted August 05, 2020in Joe's Neighborhood
A vision from a paper-towel dispenser
Would it help your pandemic doldrums if someone told you that you are special? Of course, that “someone” may be a complete lunatic. Fine. But why not pay your money [...]
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