Imagine meeting someone online, making a “connection” and going out for the first time. Then imagine a “Nuclear Bomb” hitting your phone in the form of 500 text messages the day after including one stating that your “Date” wants to bathe in your blood.” That’s exactly what happened […]
My mother was born in Zagreb in 1930. She grew up on the small “farm” that her parents had…I suppose that “farm” is an overstatement. They had a barn, a few chickens, a few goats, and pigs. They had fresh eggs, and the Doctor got a daily delivery […]
Back to my Grandmother. The freighter arrived in The Golden Horn (Istanbul’s harbor). It seemed that the Ottoman authorities were unprepared, and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of refugees. On her ship there was a shortage of drinking water. There was also the rumor of a Cholera outbreak […]
She made her way south to Odessa, as directed (rather, ordered). After waiting a few weeks, it became apparent that no one would be meeting her. In the course of much deliberation, she determined that her best chance was to ask help at the Orthodox Patriarchat in Istanbul […]
My mother’s mother was born in Moscow, Russia in 1898. Her family moved to St Petersberg a few years later when her father was appointed Superintendant of the Tzar’s Military Academy. The position also entailed serving as Commander of the Palace Guard. My Great-Grandfather was from a family […]
For those of us engaged in our communities, one of the first places you’ll go is one of the service clubs. Historically, they have done great work. They get together for breakfast or lunch. Socialize, and generally have a speaker who is involved in serving the community. Lions […]
It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I was trying to wait for an upbeat and positive story. However, these stories need to be told. Not for the shock value, nor to make people hate illegal immigrants but to make you see why the rest of us get […]
I’m a political animal, and wear my allegiances on my sleeve. I’m usually pretty clear about how I feel, although I’ve been very hesitant to proffer an opinion on the teachers strike in West Virginia. I do believe that the teachers are underpaid. I do believe the Senate […]
We are experiencing a teachers strike in my adopted home of the state of West Virginia. West Virginia is near the bottom for both teachers salaries and for educational results. Comment is well deserved regarding a system that is basically unchanged for well over a century, especially while […]
It has been said that our sense of smell is the most powerful sense we possess. It can bring back so many memories, both positive and negative. I have been vacillating about telling this tale, it is so incredulous that most people can’t believe that it’s true. I’m […]