Did you hear the story of Stanley? The 17-year-old Baltimore cat needed a $19,000 kidney transplant in late 2017. What would you do in that situation? In our family, we’d do a really quick calculation: Super Old Cat + Really Expensive Operation = Mandatory Cat ‘Separation’ from Family Super Old How old is 17 in […]
Before I Look Forward, I’m Appreciating the Rear View
As 2019 starts, many people detail resolutions and goals. Not me – I’m taking a moment for gratitude. Yes, I have an amazing wife and smart, clever kids, but here I want to recount a few smaller things that recently stood out as blessings in my life. Faithful Readers I have the best blog followers. […]
Bird Vs Lime – My Review of Electric Scooters in Baltimore
If you’re like me, you’ve been itching to get your hands on one of those electric scooters that are popping up all around town. But which one to use? Bird or Lime? Well, in the name of ‘research’ and ‘public education,’ Grey and I made the sacrifice (sacrifice??!!) and wasted a few hours on a […]
My Battle of Wits with BWI Airport Security
I related previously how my dad was caught red handed by security at Radio City Music Hall with a prized pocket knife, and how he was able to hide it in a flower planter for pickup later. Happy ending. Emboldened by that memory, I tried the same thing recently. It happened at BWI airport for […]
My Jury Experience Opened My Eyes to a Broken Baltimore
For background, read last week’s post. At first I thought it was a terrible mistake. I thought my outfit or education or skin color would surely disqualify me in the eyes of the defense, as it had before. But incredibly, I was empaneled with 13 other jurors (12+2 alternates) for a sting case. Over the […]
How My Attempt to Avoid Jury Duty Led to Loss
Jury duty. The two words that strike fear and loathing in my heart. I received my dreaded Baltimore City jury summons in the mail recently. It comes every year, regular as rain. There is so much crime in Baltimore, and not a few people who can’t serve on a jury due to their own prior […]
6 Reasons to See Crazy Rich Asians
Add me to the list of fans of Crazy Rich Asians. I didn’t read the book, but we saw the movie this week and I was impressed with a few things. 1. It Has Universal Themes Thus the mainstream success, I suppose. Once you peel back the Rich and Asian, you discover the film is […]
When Friends Laugh at Your Dreams, Do You Shrink or Shine?
This past fall, my mom had a mini-reunion in Ohio with three college friends from Cornell University. They hadn’t been together since they graduated in 1959. Probably goes without saying, but these are wise – and wizened – women who have seen a thing or two. There was much catching up on grandchildren, health issues, […]
A Lesson in Prioritizing Giving, from My 24th College Reunion
Last weekend, I returned to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine for my 24th reunion. Not exactly a landmark year, but it was a good excuse to get together with friends, one of whom was celebrating his 25th year out of college. Like most other small competitive liberal arts colleges, Bates is in the midst of […]
8 Rules for Successful Gift-Giving on a Budget
My mom received a gift of yoga classes from my sister for Christmas. Mom isn’t exactly a zen-type person, so I wondered how it was going. “What do you think? Is yoga fun or no?” “I’m tired and sore,” she said. “I’m not a happy person.” Ahhh, the failed gift. I know it well. I’ve […]
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