A LIFE OF FAME OR IMMORTALITY — WHICH MATTERS MOST? The other day, an acquaintance, learning my third novel, “Trompe l’Oeil,” had been accepted for publication, asked what writer my work most resembled. For a moment, I didn’t know how to answer. The question was
THOUGHTS OF STEW AND THREE CORNERED HATS There have been several novels written about teenage rebellion, “Catcher in the Rye” being among the most famous. But the impulse to strike out on one’s own, to establish one’s identity begins early, long before adolescence kick
ODE TO A HUMORIST Humorists are folks with a good eye for hypocrites, posers, and truth benders and who can be relied upon to bring the offenders down a peg or two with a few rapier words. In my political life I received a few good lickings from my detractors and if it was done well,
A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS Sunday, May 22, 2011 marked the end of the first year of my blog. The entries are 300 in number rather than 365 as I write 5 days a week and I took two book tours during which time the blog fell silent. Still, I marvel at the effort and rewards of reaching out to
ENTERING THE TWILIGHT ZONE Yesterday, I wrote about doppelgangers, shadows of our potential other selves, the theme from Henry James’ short story, “The Jolly Corner” (blog: 5/18/2011). After my experience today, I wonder if there is a word for meeting one’s past as a p
THE CLOAK OF INVISIBILITY IS MORE THAN FICTION Recently, I met Gloria Steinem at a television interview and had an opportunity to ask her a question. It was one I’d been thinking about for a while and was unable to resolve. If, I asked, President Obama were considering a national po
MORE THOUGHTS ON FRIENDSHIP “Doppelganger” is a name for an alter ego, usually presumed to be someone who is dead or in another dimension, though not necessarily. One of the most fascinating doppelganger stories is a work of fiction by Henry James called “The Jolly Corner,
THE DOUBLE SUNRISE SHELL For his birthday, I recently took a friend to lunch at an Italian restaurant. I would have loved a glass of wine but as he wanted none, I also refrained. He would have loved a bite of my dessert if I had ordered it, but I seldom eat sweets. While he sat amazed
CONSPIRACY THEORY ONE TRILLION AND ONE Recently, a friend sent me information on a group that is attempting to “educate” people about United Nation’s Security Council Resolution 21, established in 1947, which these patriots believe is a ploy by certain power brokers to achieve w