On Saturday we had a pre-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinner for 20 at our home in Burlington -- and that's not the record. Three years ago I believe we had 25 for what has become known in this family circle as "The Big Dinner." And indeed, the event lives up to its name, something that evolved from … Continue reading We’re Thanksgiving people
Strictly personal
Celebrating Nov. 18; or, how I met my spouse
This is a column I wrote in November a couple of years ago. The timing makes sense, of course, because timing is everything. Life is full of seemingly random events, but when we examine them more closely weird patterns emerge. It can be running into the same people over and over again for years before … Continue reading Celebrating Nov. 18; or, how I met my spouse
Compassion, peace, healing and the the idea that nothing has to stay the same
"They do what?" I remember asking my spouse a few years ago when she first described what has become an annual ritual event at Elon University. "They use colored sand to make art. It takes a few days and when it's finished they destroy it," Roselee said as if that explained everything anyone might need … Continue reading Compassion, peace, healing and the the idea that nothing has to stay the same
Goodbye to a true citizen of the world
The first time I recall riding in a Volkswagen beetle the man behind the wheel was Alan Gordon. It was a dark green bug and to that point in my life – age four or five at the outside -- constituted just about the most astonishing thing seen to date on the tar-covered or dirt … Continue reading Goodbye to a true citizen of the world
Throwback Thursday: My best friend at work
Five years ago this week my spouse, the lovely, talented and now long-suffering Roselee Papandrea, announced she would be leaving the newspaper business and the Burlington Times-News for a position at Elon. I wrote this on her last week but thought today might be a good time to share it again. The newspaper business … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: My best friend at work
Still married: Twenty years and counting
I wrote this column in September of 2007 on what was then our 10th wedding anniversary. Today we mark 20 years. Today both of us are out of the newspaper business (and who would have believed that in 1997?) and I'm always home on time after work. Now I'm the one waiting for her to … Continue reading Still married: Twenty years and counting
Elegy for Agate (Has it really been four years?)
Cats are hard to figure. They're indifferent to humans, except when they're not. They're alternately fascinating and maddening. People who like cats really love them. People who dislike cats really hate them. I was in the indifferent (that word again) category on the matter for about 40 years, until one found its way into our … Continue reading Elegy for Agate (Has it really been four years?)
Throwback Thursday column: Son of a son of a son of a Confederate veteran
This is a newspaper column I wrote in the summer of 2014 when this issue of Southern heritage and Confederate flags and statues was raised. Yes, it comes up every so often and has for the past 120 years -- about the time the urge to put up Confederate statues began long after the Civil … Continue reading Throwback Thursday column: Son of a son of a son of a Confederate veteran
Southern Comfort revisited
A few years ago this question was raised for some fool reason. “How Southern are you?” At first, it was hard to know what to make of such a thing. The question itself was a little off-putting to say the least. After all, you're either Southern or you ain't. Pretty simple really. To even raise … Continue reading Southern Comfort revisited
Fourth of July flashback: Newspaper people should not serve food
The date was July 4, 1999. I was working for the Jacksonville Daily News, a newspaper on the North Carolina coast that serves Onslow County, Camp Lejeune and Carteret County. And by serve, I mean news. Food, well ... Before going further, note that the events you are about to hear occurred before there were … Continue reading Fourth of July flashback: Newspaper people should not serve food
Madison's Avenue 