Tag: poetry
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Recalling David Molinari and the news that once was
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I think it’s safe to say that most of us have had teachers who influenced the choices we made in life. I’ve always considered my high school journalism teacher, David Molinari, as being such a person. He taught eighth-grade English at Capitola Junior High, then moved on to Soquel High…
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Switcheroos: How to make an interesting speech
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Recently, I switched Rotary clubs, joining the Santa Cruz chapter. My friend and neighbor, Dave Smith, also wanted to join the Santa Cruz group, so we signed up together. As rookies, we were informed that we would have to give Red Badge speeches about ourselves. To spice things up, we…
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Long, long ago and far away…another place, a different time
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Jennie and I just got back from a four-day visit with friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We stayed in the Las Campañas area, home of one of the three couples that made up our traveling group. It was a beautiful place on the high mesa, populated by piñon pines…
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The most influential person in your life
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Aunt Dotsie was a superlative artist. She created hundreds of beautiful pieces—landscapes, portraits, still lifes, water scenes, and a host of other subjects. She photographed her work and kept the images in a big binder. She had the idea to write poems to go along with her paintings and then…
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For all who wander are not lost
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In the past few weeks, Jennie and I have taken a couple of road trips relating to my historical novel, Five Hundred Moons. These were short, two-day excursions—just long enough to feel rejuvenated and offer some relief from our daily routine. Our first getaway was to the small valley…
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Winning isn’t everything, but it sure feels good
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Sixty-six years ago, in 1957, the 49ers played the Detroit Lions in an NFL playoff game at Kezar Stadium. My father, uncle, and two other prune ranchers from South San Jose had season tickets, and they were all looking forward to attending the game. As luck would have it, my…
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Socrates and Virtue in Pursuit of Truth
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“Knowledge is the ultimate virtue.” “An honest man is always a child.” “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
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Life, Strange Times, & Redemption on a Sea of Change
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A young man walked into the store and asked to speak privately to the owner. He seemed nonthreatening, so I invited him into the office and offered him a seat. He didn’t sit down but instead reached into his pocket and pulled out a $100 bill
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Can a father be his son’s role model?
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Recently, I had occasion to wear an old camelhair coat to a memorial service. The coat previously belonged to my father. It’s warm, still stylish, and fits me well. While putting it on, I reached into the inner pocket and felt a folded piece of paper….