This bird was no chicken
I never took a good look at a female cardinal until there was one perched on the railing of my front porch the other morning. When I think cardinal, I think the red one. The one on the front of… Continue Reading
Month: June 2016
Tough Guy vs. Agnes
Jimmy O’Donnell, Jr. calls his dad “Tough Guy.” That’s because he is. I’ve known James O’Donnell, Sr., “Spot” to just about everyone, for almost 50 years and I’ve never seen him shy away from a challenge. Just the opposite. He… Continue Reading
Handy is as handy does
“You’re looking at the most un-handy guy in America.” That’s the way I’ve introduced myself to every clerk at every hardware store I’ve ever walked into. Particularly at Petro’s in Jenkins Township where I am usually holding a handful of… Continue Reading
Left behind no longer
My Aunt Dorothy will be laid to rest tomorrow. Her death, at 91, brings down the curtain on a generation of Ackermans and Strubecks. She was the last member of my dad’s and mom’s families. While Aunt Dorothy was alive,… Continue Reading
My dad is the flag …
… and vice-versa. That’s why to me Flag Day is sort of Father’s Day too. My mind used to wander during the playing of the National Anthem. I’d stand and put my hand over my heart and try to concentrate… Continue Reading
In praise of pickles
My first fast food experience was not at McDonald’s or Burger King. It was at the Stop ‘n’ Go in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Word of their 15¢ hamburgers reached us through my Uncle Buddy and it meant my dad was able… Continue Reading
Reminiscent of Steinbeck’s ‘Lennie’
Folks at the Cincinnati Zoo called gorilla Harambe “a good guy” and from the videos of him interacting with that little boy who fell into his pen Memorial Day weekend it sure seemed he was. Yes, the gorilla roughly dragged… Continue Reading
It’s summer, book it
I just finished “The Defense” by Steve Cavanagh. (No, there’s no ‘u’ in his name. Although I keep insisting on putting one in.) And when I say “just finished it,” I mean five minutes ago. Had to get it out… Continue Reading
Viva la time difference
I’ve been bounding out of bed at 5 a.m. Sometimes earlier. Partly because I like to play early morning tennis (typically on a court before 7) but also these days because the French Open is on TV. Live. You don’t… Continue Reading