Last fall, the Metropolitan opera staged its Italian classic “Tosca” with a totally new set and new costumes — a new concept.  This was after decades of using the tried and true ‘Zefferelli’ design.  How was it received?  On opening night, the audience booed the production.  Critics were . . . well, critical.  My father, a lifelong opera fan, asked with a sigh, “Why did they have to go and mess with perfection?” (more…)

My 17 year old daughter, Elizabeth, has begun the college application process (yikes!).  Her first assignment from her guidance counselor was to fill out an extremely extensive life review questionnaire.  The question that really caught my eye asked, “What is the most significant event in your life to date and how has it affected your development?” (more…)

Every year I wrestle with my ‘weary-winter syndrome’.   Even though I’ve had nearly 30 years of northern winters, my native Texas bones long for warmth and light.  Like a honking Canadian goose, I have the urge to fly south for the winter.  I know that more daylight is slowly returning, but it just ain’t returnin’ fast enough up north (if ya know what I mean). (more…)

I recently had the pleasure of running into an old friend.  We were casually chatting, catching up on life’s adventures, when she mentioned that her youngest son had gone off to college last fall.  “Oh,” I surmised, “You’re an empty nester now.”  She corrected me, “No, we’re free birds.” (more…)

More than once I’ve made attempts to follow the tradition of making a new year’s resolution.  “Resolve to exercise.”  “Resolve to lose weight.”  “Resolve to floss teeth.”  Yea, right.  Has anyone actually succeeded with these clichéd goals?  I might as well have spit in the wind.  By Valentine’s day, my New Year’s resolutions were long forgotten. (more…)