A “Virgin Snow” Tour of Buffalo’s West Side
We found that much of the old neighborhood has changed for the better.
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The Joys and Perils of Writing a Sequel
Before I wrote the first word of my first novel, Virgin Snow, I knew it needed to be a trilogy and what it would be about. The idea was to follow the journey of the main character, Cosi McCarthy, a West Side girl from Buffalo, as well as the trajectory of the city itself, across […]
Travelin’ and Livin’ Off the Land
Back-to-the-Land homesteaders in the 1970s were captivated by the idyll of self-sufficient mountain living.
Finding Inspiration on the Shores of Lake Erie
This summer, I will find a comfortable piece of driftwood and sit and stare at the water for a while.
Do People Still Read Physical Books? You Betcha!
This was my first street festival where books, and the readers who love them, were the main attraction.
After Fifty Years, a Different Vietnam
When I was developing the character of Joey, a despondent Army veteran for my novel Virgin Snow, I found it necessary to research and reflect upon the sad time in American history when we were engaged in a war with North Vietnam. The conflict had long-term and debilitating effects on many American military members who served there in support of South Vietnam in the […]
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.
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.
The Magnificent Willows of Western New York
For centuries, poets, writers and philosophers have been inspired by weeping willow trees. So have I.
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.
A Letter of Gratitude to Those Who Read Books
You are the ones who will have the wisdom, the vocabulary, the critical reasoning and the empathy to make the world a better place.
“Snow Sausages,” a Christmas Story of Love and Loss, December 1968
Family traditions are an important element of the Christmas holiday season, and the old West Side of Buffalo had some unique ones.