“Why are so many lights on?” Dan used to ask when we were new to each other’s living habits.  “Because I can’t see a thing,” I would answer.  My typical response to winter nights was to turn on every light that I could get my hands on . . . starting at 4pm.  Even mounting electric bills couldn’t curb my craving for brightly lit rooms. (more…)

I have a bad back.  Well . . . actually, I have a good back, it just happens to ‘blow out’ on an annual basis.  I’m still not sure when or how to anticipate an episode.  Is it related to weather, stress, how well I stretched that day?  There do not seem to be any signs of impending incapacity — I’m blind-sided every time. (more…)

I was sitting at my desk on a Monday morning, calmly reviewing my inbox of emails, when I heard a yell and a sharp crack outside.  I raised my eyes to look out the window in time to see a huge pine tree – we’re talking at least 70 feet tall – fall from my neighbor’s property through the air and, landing with a thud, sprawl its green branches across the street. (more…)

I’m not a true died-in-the-wool, year-round chocoholic . . . and yet, when it comes to the day of red hearts and cupids, I go nuts for chocolate.  Sure, you could say that I’m just a puppet to marketing and a pawn in the game of retail consumerism.  And you’d be right; I am.  I admit it!  And I always have been — at least on this Saint’s day. (more…)

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…)