I know his name, but I’m not going to tell it you. I’m only going to tell you that he tormented me. Many years ago, he saw me standing on the platform as I waited to board a trolley to go to work. He was an older man in his seventies. He wore a suit, […]
Category: Mom About the Burgh
No Failing, No Whining
From the beginning, my 2017 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) weekend got off to a sketchy start. At the Expo on Saturday morning, I had just picked up my bib, program, patch and safety pins when I approached the table where they were handing out this year’s bright, salmon-colored shirts. “Are you sure you want a […]
Vikings and Other Amazons
There’s a lot of Amazon buzz lately. Although my hometown Pittsburgh can hardly contain its excitement over the remote possibility of being selected as the location for the next Amazon headquarters, that’s not the Amazon I mean. I’m thinking about the Viking warrior who was buried in Sweden over 1,000 years ago. The grave, which […]
I Scream for 3 Ounces of Ice Cream
Today, something completely abnormal happened (and I’m not talking about the eclipse.) This morning, while sitting on the porch drinking coffee, my husband – brace yourself – read the Style & Seen section of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. After ten years of marriage, I have never known him to read, or even glance, at what I […]
The Little Mermaid and Purple Gum “Under the Seats?”
When I recently reconnected through Facebook with my dear friend and former neighbor, Brenda, she reminded me of the famous “Michael” incident. Many years ago, while babysitting my two year old son, she put in a video for him to watch. It was Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and when he decided he didn’t like Ursula, […]
Running Amok with Dogs – from This Awful/Awesome Life
I’m happy to be a contributor in the current edition of Fran Joyce and Jay Speyerer’s new online magazine, This Awful/Awesome Life. I’ve been running with dogs for 20 years. As you will discover, they don’t make me look good… and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy! Running Amok With Dogs
The Celebrity Apprentice Lesson: Brutal Killers or Killing with Kindness?
Last week, I was talking to a friend of mine, who is a big reality TV fan. As we discussed the anti-Trump protests and turmoil in the aftermath of the presidential election, my friend was adamant that Donald Trump thrives on mayhem. “I think Donald Trump loves it,” she insisted. “Just watch The Apprentice. He […]
The Responsibility of Wearing a Safety Pin Might Be Harder Than You Think
Twenty years ago, when I witnessed a disturbing racist encounter, I miserably failed the safety pin test, long before there was a movement. I’m ashamed of myself. As a lifelong, peace-loving do-gooder, I say bravo to the swelling ranks of safety pinners, who silently repudiate our President-elect’s racist and xenophobic campaign rhetoric and declare themselves […]
It’s Up to Trump
“They’re only words.” That’s what I kept hearing from people I respect who supported and voted for Donald Trump. One gentleman I know recently likened Trump to a gruff doctor, who has terrible bedside manners, but has the diagnosis right and gives it to you straight. I’m not sure about that, but wouldn’t it be […]
Melania, this is America. You can vote for Michelle.
Melania is in a pickle. I listened to her lovely speech about what she would do if she were First Lady. She said nice things. She said she would be an advocate for women and children. She explained that her job was to be a full-time mom and raise her ten-year-old son while her husband […]