Christmas is just around the corner. A lot of kids will be getting the trikes and bikes they asked Santa for. To keep your child safe, please do three things, starting on Christmas Day, when you head out on your fun family bike rides. Leading by example. Kids learn by watching adults. Size the […]
To Ponder
Letter: Wise guys – maybe not who you think
The end of the year poll of most trusted professions – those viewed most honest and ethical once again outpacing all others – places nurses first, members of congress last, the latter tied for untrustworthiness with telemarketers. Celebrities didn’t make the cut. Some of the possible reasons: ‘To avoid wrinkles, sleep on your back, rather […]
Baby, It’s Cold Outside but Warmed by the Memories
Like many people in America I was first exposed to the glamor and excitement of New York City and Broadway musicals by watching “I Love Lucy” on TV in the 1950s. The 1955 episode “Lucy and the Dummy” featured a clip of Frank Sinatra singing “Adelaide” from the production “Guys and Dolls.” In the 1957 […]
Home from Home: Between the lines
There is a lot of bewilderment for non-native speakers when it comes to talking to Germans in Germany. What should it be? “Du” (pronounce: doo) or “Sie” (pronounce: zee)? And when do you use first names and when last names? And when do you say “Frau” (pronounce: frouw, i.e. Mrs.) and when “Fraeulein” (pronounce: froy-line, […]
Letter: Hanging up the harp at thoughts of home
‘The back-eddies of the flowing river reflected our tears, the drooping willows – on which we hung our harps – matched our spirits,’ describes the Israeli captives in Babylon of ancient history as they thought of home. What is it about the fireside hearth of home, especially at this holiday time of year, that brings […]
Film Review: Bohemian Rhapsody
After I watched Bohemian Rhapsody, I followed a hunch and read through Freddie Mercury’s and Queen’s Wikipedia page. I sadly realized that my fears were justified. Watching Bohemian Rhapsody felt no different to me than reading a Wikipedia article that summed up their careers. For a biopic about Queen, this is far from acceptable. If […]
Ra”PUN”zel CenterStage Play Review
“A panto is a traditional fairy tale complete with songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and lots of audience participation. The British love a good panto. In fact the nation has been mad on it ever since the actor manager John Rich introduced it in 1717.” – theatre-britain.com/About%20Panto.html I don’t know how many panto productions we’ve […]
Letter: “Where’s the Nativity?”
The two boys, ages 4 and 2, looked up at mom with cherub-like guileless faces. Clueless too.
Weighting for Christmas
For years Louis and his buddies had been kidding each other about their athletic abilities, their loss of hair, and the growth of their bellies. It was starting to hit home. He had just returned from a trip to the bathroom and had caught a look of himself in the big mirror. “I gotta do […]