Jews do a nice job with death. Sounds strange, I know, but, let me explain. One of the first volunteer tasks that I was asked to undertake when I became a member of Temple Beth Israel was to prepare the weekly mailings that notify members of the congregation about an impending anniversary of the death … Continue reading Dealing in death … →

This month, I'm excited to share an offering from my Uncle's new collection of poems: The Life That I Have. I have the delightful privilege of knowing Uncle Knute as a member of the family, but most people know him as a well-published poet. Here is the author biography featured on his publisher's web site … Continue reading As if … →

I am an avowed fan of the Science Fiction and Fantasy literary genres. Speculation about the future, other worlds, different species, alternate planes of existence, space and time travel, god-like powers, vampires, zombies, necromancers, spirits, dryads, Minotaurs ... you name it ... draws my interest and intense fascination. I've always thought it was no surprise … Continue reading Your Sci-Fi/Fantasy reading list … →

Coldplay Fix You When you try your best but you don't succeed When you get what you want but not what you need When you feel so tired but you can't sleep Stuck in reverse When the tears come streaming down your face When you lose something you can't replace When you love someone but it goes to waste Could it … Continue reading Every blog needs a theme song … →

I had something like G-Pa or Dude in mind for my "grandpa name."  But turns out that you don't get to pick the moniker by which you will be known to your grand kids.   Their ability or lack thereof to vocalize, along with influences outside your control will determine your grandparent assignation.   In my case, … Continue reading When you become a Bubba … →

This is a simple question, right?   Yes or No.  But, it turns out to be a hard question for me to answer.    As a child, I was taught to kneel next to my bed, clasp my hands and recite, "Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep; … Continue reading Do you believe in Prayer? →

It's a natural progression ... as we get older, the enjoyment we experience around holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., comes from being around the people we love rather than the things we might get. At some tipping point, adding to the material trove just pales in comparison with cherishing the relationships that give our life connection … Continue reading A holiday tale in food … →

Don Shrumm in his element What happens when your college roommate and friend of over 40 years comes to visit?   Well, you go down memory lane, and, in the case, of reuniting with Don Shrumm you participate in creating a podcast. Don and I lived together in MacMillan Hall from 1977 to 1981, the year … Continue reading Down memory lane with Don … →

As part of this December double-edition (two blog entries for the price of one), I thought the people to whom I send a monthly e-mail message announcing new posts might like to know something about the other recipients.   The distribution list is carefully curated, and each person receiving the message is special to me in … Continue reading Who you are … →

Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus, כַּשְׁרוּת) is the set of Jewish religious dietary laws. Food that may be consumed according to halakha (Jewish law) is termed kosher /ˈkoʊʃər/ in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér (כָּשֵׁר), meaning "fit" (in this context, fit for consumption). Kashrut is a set of biblical dietary restrictions … Continue reading Kashrut, Kosher, Krazy? →