Relationships and Going Places

I have a subconscious distrust of the spoken word — or maybe that might be explained by too many decades of listening to political speeches. I'm convinced that I can read aloud. I can't find anyone who wants to listen to what I'd like to read, and second, I'm beginning to think I'll never find the perfect vehicle for my dream talent so that I can hold an audience rapt. more »

One evening, leaving Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, having seen the amazing library, the stunning collection of armoury, the peacocks on the lawns, we headed for our destination for the night, the magical Trossachs hotel, but the coach driver, unfamiliar with this particular trip, took a wrong turning and we completely lost our bearings. more »

When I returned to college after a spring vacation spent in my home town, a girl I knew from New York's Westchester County asked if I'd had a good time. I gave her my usual response, saying that I'd had fun. She wondered what could be fun about spending spring break in Iowa. more »

"When he could marshal some grains of his spirit, he trawled the web for plastic surgeons, hoping someone might offer the medical care he needed. Most days he simply drew the blankets over his head ... They ended their relationship by mutual agreement, but he knew she just needed a graceful way out" more »