The First to Shout
“B-12... I-26...G-53...N-71...” Military coordinates? A coded radio transmission? A secret message? Nope. Just four little calls that, for generations of Americans, meant someone was one number closer to blurting out, “Bingo!” While millions of Americans are connected to the world from the back rooms of their homes—followed by online “friends” yet lonely for genuine [...]
Did Founding Father John Adams turn sour on democracy?
The dangers of Donald Trump versus Democratic Socialists of America. The word democracy is being thrown around a lot these days. Many prominent political leaders and commentators have described President Trump as “an existential threat to democracy.” Among them: “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens [...]
Whatever happened to handwritten letters?
The answer is easy, really. The digital keyboard. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I used to write out everything in cursive. My bluebook essay tests at community college. The stories I’d file at the San Diego weekly newspaper—my first journalism job after college. The early love letters I wrote to Karen. The draft [...]
The Lost Art of Knowing Your Neighbor
When Karen and I bought our second house in Van Nuys, California, back in 1978, the neighborhood threw a block party. No, it wasn’t because we’d moved in. Our neighbors just wanted to hang out together. Wow! That surprised us. A similar party followed a few months later. The city gave us permission to [...]
Don’t Slow Down
Five lessons on aging with purpose: Part 2“Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.” - Robert Browning“Old age is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better.” - Ingrid BergmanSo many wise prescriptions out there on how to age gracefully.For nearly 20 percent [...]
Another candle on the cake
On aging…Part 1 Growing old gracefully. No easy task, but manageable—dare I say it, even joyful. At least up to this point. I turned __ on July 4. One of my old mates from High School wished me a happy birthday with a couple of pics from way back. I’ve included them at the [...]

