Now What?
A common-sense look at the capriciousness of life in the post-fact 21st century from the perspective of a retired journalist and educator who is also a devout Catholic
No Time to Say Goodbye
Most of us have a friend like Tom – inseparable at one point in your life, but then the reality of time and adulthood get in the way. You lose touch, maybe move away. Build an adult life, marry, have kids. You get back together occasionally and, when you do, you pick up exactly where…
My Panties Fell into My Coffee!
“Oh No! My panties fell into my coffee!” Hmmm… wasn’t expecting to hear anything like that. “Uh, actually, it’s tea. I’m drinking tea this morning.” Makes a difference, I guess. Helen and I were in the middle of our usual Sunday morning sprint, racing to get dressed and out of the house for early Mass.…
No “Spicy” Second Date
The Jack Daniels almost spurted up my nose. Until that moment, it had been a bit difficult to stay engaged. The conversation with my blind date had been as flat as a piece of printer paper on a leaded glass tabletop. She was a nice enough lady; there was simply no connection, no chemistry. The…
Did He Just Call Me Ma’am?
“Can I help you ma’am?” I was at the end of the bottled water aisle, stretching my 5’4” frame, trying to reach a gallon of distilled water on the top shelf. I looked down the aisle and wondered who the ma’am was, because I didn’t see anyone who needed help. “I can get that for…
Digging Out the Right Tools
Many years ago, in the Dark Ages before I met Helen, I saw a vendor at the Home and Patio Show showing off the wonders of a new-style rubber broom. I have no recollection of why I was even at the Home and Patio Show, but I was intrigued by the broom – a flat,…
Malchus – A Story within a Story
People love a good story. We are storytellers at heart. We all experience the human adventure through stories. Holy Week is one of those times in the Christian calendar that is rich with some of the greatest stories in human history – among them are the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, Jesus’ arrest,…
People of All Colors – Even Green and Orange!
“It’ll be about five-ten minutes,” the hostess told me with sweet, Southern charm. It was a Tuesday morning and I was looking for a quick breakfast before getting on with my day. The neighborhood southern-style restaurant, part of a chain, had a breakfast buffet that checked the “quick” box, but I hadn’t counted on hitting…
Pets Doomed by New Morality
It’s unfortunate but I’m going to have to abandon my four pets. They simply fall short of the new measure for acceptance in the Casella household – the qualities now deemed most important for acceptance and success in 21st century America. It’s a simple story, really. When I came down the stairs a couple of…
… But Sometimes “No” is a Good Thing
No, this headline is not a mistake, despite the title of my last post – Escaping the “No Place.” A dear, insightful, faithful soul, Jim Goodell, music director at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, made a keen observation. He noted that sometimes it’s necessary to say “no” in…
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Now What? 