I originally published this in 2009. I reprint it with a few updates. *** “This used to be a hell of a good country.”— Jack Nicholson in “Easy Rider,” 1969 I was reading an entry about restaurant chains that are in danger of going out of business, and one of the ones they mentioned was …
When we think about the days when network television was really intelligent, it’s easy to remember the early days. But from the late 1950s on, the decline began. For all the love Baby Boomers have for “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch,” these were not shows that radiated intelligence. Even modern cable shows we see …
‘Paper Chase’ might have been most unique show ever Read More »
I am fortunate enough to have been to France half a dozen times, although all my visits have always been to Paris and points south. With the exception of a train ride from London to Paris in 2003, I have never been in the northern part of the country. I was the fourth man in …
80 years and a day ago, we were truly at our best Read More »
There was certainly more than one reason my first marriage failed. Certainly one bone of contention was possible names for future male children. To be fair, those discussions never got beyond the realm of joking and whimsy. I had only one absolute no. There was never going to be a child, male or female, in …
It’s strange the things that can bring back memories. I have two friends who are big fans of Donald Trump. One is stronger than the other in his love for the former president, but both are pretty solidly anti-Democrat. It has been a long time since I have seen either one — eight years for …
I have been fortunate enough to live in quite a few interesting places, some better than others. Some were less interesting because of the circumstances, others wouldn’t have been interesting no matter what. At least one city, where I spent 1982 and the first half of 1983, is a place you couldn’t pay me enough …
When you live all over, some places are wonderful Read More »
Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies, making him the first president ever to be convicted of a crime. He will almost certainly still be the Republican nominee for president for the third consecutive election, although the nomination will come four days after he is sentenced for …
When I was younger, I remember being so eager to see books by my favorite authors that whenever possible, I picked them up at the bookstore, went home and read them in one sitting. When I was 35 and living in St. Louis, I bought Stephen King’s “It” in the late afternoon of a day …
Long awaited books one of life’s great pleasures Read More »
The great Babe Ruth was being interviewed by legendary sportscaster Graham McNamee when he was asked who he considered the greatest baseball player of all time. “You mean major leagues?” Ruth asked. McNamee shook his head. “No, the greatest player anywhere.” Ruth responded right away. “In that case, I’d pick John Henry Lloyd.” It wasn’t …
“They say it was a shocking sight, After the field was won; For many thousand bodies here lay rotting in the sun; But things like that, you know, must be … after a famous victory.” AFTER BLENHEIM, Robert Southey I wonder why it is that the English have always been so much more eloquent in …
