I was scared to death. Okay, maybe not death because I didn’t die. But I thought I might. I seriously thought my heart could possibly stop. Or explode. Yes, explode was how it felt. I was only in my early 30’s so I was sure it was strong and healthy. Still, it sure felt like it was going to burst from my chest.
Some months before, I had decided that I’d like to try my hand at Continue reading
I think we learn, at a very young age, to seek approval from our parents. It seems to me that it is instinctive to infants; we learn that when we do something that makes mom or dad happy, we get positive attention.
Somewhere in our third year of life we begin to discover Continue reading
Back when I was five- or six-years-old, I wanted, more than anything, to grow up to be Superman. I hadn’t gone to first grade yet, so I hadn’t been taught to read, but once I figured out that The Adventures of Superman was on TV weekday afternoons at 3:30, I’d be glued to the set each day. I can hear the announcer now… Continue reading
I try to maintain my temper… to “keep my cool,” as it were. And I’ve gotten much better at it as I’ve mellowed into old age. Perhaps mellowed and old age are not an accurate description of the process. It might, more conceivably, be described as stumbling into decrepitude. Be that as it may, I’m much less prone, for the most part, to fly off the handle and scream at Continue reading
There’s always a moment, perhaps a split-second before you do anything, take any action, in which you can change your mind. I can recall standing on the high-diving board, when I was a kid, and attempting to get the courage to jump. I’d stare down at the clear, azure water below me, the sunlight flickering off the dancing surface of the water. My senses were so heightened Continue reading
Recently I was watching The Bucket List and there’s a scene where Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are sitting on top of one of the pyramids in Giza. Morgan Freeman’s character tells Jack Nicholson’s that the ancient Egyptians believed that when you got to Heaven, you were asked two questions and Continue reading
I’ve been writing my blog and publishing books. I really enjoy it; conceivably more than anything I’ve ever done, with the possible exception of playing Little League Baseball. For the most part, they’re stories about my life, the people I meet and the lessons I’ve (hopefully) learned. I’ve been struggling with my next book because I’m attempting to write about my Addictive Personality Disorder and all of the Continue reading
I return to my childhood and, within my mind’s ear, I can clearly hear my mother’s oft-repeated lament, “May you, one day, have children of your own.” Her wisdom within that sentence—also heard by her from her mother—is prophetic and profound. And possibly a curse? Becoming a parent is Continue reading
It’s the growing popularity of golf which drove me away from it. That, and idiots.
I was recently watching the Masters Golf Tournament on television. It’s been quite a while since I played the game with any seriousness, and I can’t recall the last time I watched a tournament on television. Actually, I got frustrated with Continue reading
There was a time in my life when I was relatively financially successful. I drove a nice car. My (now ex-) wife did, too. We had a lovely tract home in an upscale community which was nicely furnished and our closets were full of clothing.
And my favorite thing to do on Sundays was to take us, Continue reading
When I was a youth, I believe the single most important thing in my life was candy. In the past, I’ve mentioned my love for baseball; my Little League years being some of the best times of my life. But as I look back over my life and ponder what was most important to me, Continue reading
I was in sixth grade. Wait. I didn’t really pee my pants. Let me begin with that. But of all the times in my earlier days, when I peed my pants and nobody noticed, why did the time I didn’t pee my pants get noticed? I mean, I was grown up to the age of… what are you in sixth grade? 11? 12? It must have been Continue reading
A few weeks ago, my youngest child turned 18-years-old. He finally made that age-of-majority threshold! Lately he’s had a few auditions so I’ve been getting to spend some time with him. He lives in South Orange County and the drive into L.A. can be tedious, at best. But, for the most part, that is, when I don’t have Continue reading
I want to tell you about my friend, Steve.
I’ve known some pretty nice people in my life, and Steve DeCuir ranks towards the top of that list. He has never Continue reading
I played golf recently— Wait. Let me begin again. I was invited, for the 19th consecutive year, to play golf in the Annual United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire’s Dennis James Golf Classic. I brought my clubs and I flailed around mightily; every now and again actually striking the ball. But, despite my failing game and Continue reading
Quite often my inability to keep my mouth shut creates dire consequences. Well, maybe not dire… But not good. Sometimes my big mouth operates to the disadvantage of others and often it’s to my own detriment.
Recently someone asked me how to spell dessert. My mind immediately went back to the 4th grade. Continue reading
I broke my mother’s (obviously) expensive washing machine.
In the past I’ve written about what a wonderful opportunity it is for me to get to spend this time with her, as adult. And for this time, I am grateful. That’s why I feel especially bad when I do something wrong. Continue reading
Raise your hand if you’ve been through the ordeal of waiting for approval from your HMO or other managed care provider, only to have the doctor then say, “Why did you wait so long to come in?”
Okay, you can all put your hands back down.
I’m am half to blame for taking too long to have my Continue reading
This morning I made a cherry cheesecake (I’ll give you the recipe at the end of this post). When I ejected the beaters from the hand mixer, I held them in my hand and immediately paused, admiring the sweet, cheesy goodness which thereupon clung. At the same moment I was instantaneously transported back to the first house in which I can recall living.
I was three- or four-years-old.
It is very difficult to mind my tongue when I’m feeling defensive or emotional. Most every time when I verbally lash out, I regret the words I’ve said and know I cannot take them back. Whether I’m later contrite is irrelevant. Once the arrow has been loosed, there’s no taking it back. There’s little more for the archer to do but pray the damage is not too severe, beg forgiveness and strive to be more conscious in the future.
Callous behavior begins when we’re young. It has been said a billion times that “kids are cruel.” And, though sometimes it is with Continue reading
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