Blasé is not what you expect to find in Biarritz. But, in addition to the lovely seaside beauty, stylish hotels and hearty food you may also encounter a Basque attitude which is equal parts pride and prejudice. “They do not like us,” said a German who spends a month in Biarritz with his wife every … Continue reading Le Blasé Basque
Whether it’s a sport or a word there is always something new to learn. And you can now add “nunatak,” which means a hill surrounded by glacial ice, and “scherenschnitte,” meaning scissor cuts, to your vocabulary thanks to the two winners of this year’s Scripps National Spelling … Continue reading AN UNEXPECTED LESSON
You can usually count on a happy reaction when you throw a surprise party for someone. But before you plan the next “surprise” celebration for your aging parent, think again. While I was on the phone with Betty from Boston I told her of my plan to fly to New England and surprise my Mom … Continue reading SURPRISE !!!
Bless the English for trying to save a life by painting directional advice on roadways. “Look RIGHT” is suggested before crossing one street of traffic or “look LEFT” as the case may be. Foreigners, like me, appreciate the effort. But in the Netherlands it is another story entirely. “Be Careful,”was the last thing our cab … Continue reading ANXIOUS IN AMSTERDAM
Ancient Egyptians spent their whole lives preparing for the end of their lives. But dying is the one certainty most of us never plan for. It always blindsides us. I want open casket when I die. Not just from the waist up, but from the feet up, both … Continue reading Death Etiquette
Is this photo by Kate Beale too funny or what? I burst out laughing the minute I saw it. And although I don’t remember what my mood was prior to seeing it I know that I felt a little lighter afterwards. Laughter begets laughter doesn’t it? So, it follows that happiness begets happiness. And unhappiness … Continue reading ADAPT AND HAPPINESS WILL FIND YOU
Bravo to the people who do the jobs we don’t want to do. Firemen, for instance. They run into burning buildings when we’re running out. And trash collectors. Gathering up garbage on a sweltering afternoon is challenging enough without also contending with those of us who neglect to properly tie … Continue reading Gross Outs
You might think that there were no joys to air travel given the crush of people flying with you and the rude selfishness displayed by some of them. But you’d be wrong. My cranky quotient was already at an all time high as soon as the 4:00 a.m. alarm went off and I had to … Continue reading The Joy Of Air Travel
My great friend, Paul Szep is a 2 time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist with the syndicate Creators.com. Through the years, he would often discuss freedom of the press issues with colleagues, friends and fans. “You are as free as your publisher allows you to be,” he would answer when someone asked if he could … Continue reading Courage to Criticize
Song As A Great Leveller. Continue reading Song As A Great Leveller
Burning Daylight 