My “Big Rocks” for the New Year
My New Year’s Resolutions are a way to remind myself that if I don’t make the “big rocks” a priority I’ll never get them done.
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Why “La Famiglia e Tutto” (Family is Everything)
Sicilians have a saying—La Famiglia e Tutto (Family is Everything)—and they live by what they say.
What is More Precious than a Lifelong Friend?
I was overlooking an essential ingredient in a long and happy life—the love and support of friends.
The Never-Ending Life of the Veggie Garden
I prefer not to think of the end of the summer growing season as the “death” of our vegetable garden, but as a transition into something new and different.
The Joys and Anxieties of “Stresstember”
I recently learned that September is a month of great trepidation for some people.
Fingy Conners, Wild Bill Donovan, and the “Irish” First Ward
On my most recent trip back to Buffalo, I decided to take a walking tour through a different part of the city.
Saving the Life of a Friend
I sang to the bird, told it not to fear the unknown, and that it was OK to let go of life, whenever it was time.
The Songs of Summer You Won’t Find on YouTube
Nature now provides the “heavy rotation” for me.
The Tragedy and the Beauty of Eastern Europe
A trip through Eastern Europe reminds us of how lucky we Americans really are.
The Magnificent Willows of Western New York
For centuries, poets, writers and philosophers have been inspired by weeping willow trees. So have I.
While My Garden Gently Sleeps
It is right about this time of year—the end of February—that I start to get the garden itch.
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Infant of Prague
So ubiquitous was the Infant of Prague statue in West Side homes that as a child, I assumed every house in the world had one.