OF MICE AND MEN As I write these words, I am in mourning for a mouse. In part, I blame my upbringing — all those childhood stories where animals behaved like people. Every month, when I was old enough to read, a comic book arrived  at my house filled with stories about a girl a

Book reviewer Alan Caruba added GOTHIC SPRING to his Picks of the Month for April. http://bookviewsbyalancaruba.blogspot.com/2012/03/bookviews-april-2012.html Alan is a founding member of the National Book Critics Circle. Thanks, Alan! Every good notice helps. GOTHIC SPRING has a new

WHEN WORDS FAIL On a warm afternoon, not long ago, I found myself near an Indian restaurant that perfumed with exotic aromas. I love Indian dishes but to my great sorrow, few of my friends do, so  I often find myself eating alone. Lunch on that day was no exception and as I’d spent

ALWAYS ON A SUNDAY For me, the “S” in Sunday stands for sloth; so after a breakfast of bananas and oatmeal, I remained in my fleecy robe and crossed into the living room to read. On the opposite wall, the computer screen glared accusingly.           “Shouldn’t you be

SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF A BEGUILING TALE In the investment world, corporations are described as vertical or horizontal entities. A vertical business is one that deals with a narrow range of products, like a tire company or cheese factory. A horizontal business is one that engages in nu

My alumni news magazine reported recently that two classmates from my undergraduate days had died.  They were my age, naturally, so I was brought up short. 75 is a respectable age for dying. Most of life’s experiences have been sampled: a career, marriage, family and friends. Still

JUST AN ORDINARY DAY Sunday, I decided to take a stroll to one of the local used bookstores in my area.  It’s a 50 minute walk round trip and as the previous few days had brought nothing but rain,  this warm, Sunday afternoon came as a relief.  The washed blossoms of the plum tre

On a warm afternoon, not long ago, I found myself near an Indian restaurant where the air was perfumed with exotic aromas.  I love Indian dishes but as few of my friends do, I often find myself eating alone.  Lunch on that day was no exception. After ordering a curry, I waited for m