When I was 14 my father took me on a 2-week excursion into east Texas and Arkansas. We were living in Austin. One of our first stops was Davy Crockett National Forest. My dad loved to fish and camp, a real change from the native Brooklynite he was. I remember heading over to this spot […]
My wife and I were talking to our contractor about some house remodeling and my wife said casually, “Our house is falling apart.” “It is not!” I snapped back. Of course, just an hour later the cabinet door above basically came off in my hands. Talk about an attitude adjustment! I tried several attempts at
We had a very long spring here in Washington, DC. For those of us who garden that means a strong season for lettuce, spinach, and other plants that grow in the early spring. Above you see not just my garden, but a salad I made and ate yesterday with the greenery it provided. Today I
Today we in the USA express gratitude for those in military service who gave their lives for our country. “Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the
If you’re a basketball fan, you have no doubt heard of Nav Bhatia by now, pictured above. If, like me, you are marginally interested in sports, here’s a story worth hearing! In 1984 Bhatia left Delhi, India, because of the anti-Sikh riots. As a Sikh, his family’s safety was foremost on his mind. Even after
Keeping a Steady Eye on the Light Read More »
When I go into the woods on retreat, it’s not all just kicking back and relaxing. I also go in to address the toughest challenges I am facing, alone and away from all distractions. I find the woods to be a place where I can clear my head and get into the essence of the
Making the World a Better Place Read More »
Around Mile Marker 20 on Skyline Drive is this small parking lot that opens to an old road no longer in use, except by park rangers. Just a ways down that road there is a flat spot on the left, perfect for a tent. That’s where I pitched mine last Thursday night to enjoy 24
Keyser Run Trailhead Read More »
Four times in the last 2 weeks I have initiated or responded to a conversation in Hindi. Admittedly, although I understood what I said and I gleaned only a small fraction of what was said back to me. But, the thrill was there nonetheless! It was a big step for me on my journey to
In the garden, in front of my house, I grow only two plants in significant quantities: cherry tomatoes and jalapeños. I grow the cherry tomatoes so they face the street and encourage passersby to help themselves when the fruit is ready. I like to have a wall of grape-like sweet tomatoes facing out. I grow
That’s me on the right last Saturday night. I was west of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, beautiful country, with three friends. Fire circles are almost as old as humanity, the central gathering place. This is where people come to talk through the day, tell stories, and imagine what might be possible just as
