Circles and more circles
Well, through the miracle of modern nerve-racking air travel at 37,000 bumpy feet, I went to bed 48, woke up 49 (if three hours counts as sleep), and was in San Diego before noon. Pleading for a birthday upgrade on Delta got me exactly in 33D, behind a family I’ll …
My birthday wish to you
First of all, let me just suggest that 6 a.m. flights are the work of the devil. I’m celebrating my birthday at happy Gate A31 in the Atlanta airport with a cold bagel and a soy latte. There’s a man sitting way far too close to me for this early …
Do it old school
When Emma was six or seven, we traveled to Israel to see our friend, Eliav, and his family. And to do some work there, of course. Let’s not forget the work. And the fact that Eliav’s wife, Chagit, can cook like nobody else. And that the strawberries are as big …
The eagle has landed
Got an email late yesterday from my publisher that LIFE IS A VERB had arrived from the printer. Boxes and boxes of books now sit, lonely, in a warehouse in Guilford, Connecticut, waiting to be freed, unleashed into the world. Wouldn’t a road trip to the warehouse be fun? The …
Need? or Want?
I wonder if this is a clear enough message for Mr Brilliant as he contemplates just what on this planet he will buy or do for my last birthday in my 40s, which will take place soon on the anniversary of Elvis’ death (WHAT? YOU DON’T HAVE THAT DATE ETCHED …
Be the leader you’ve been waiting for
Sometimes we find wisdom where we least expect it. A child’s voice from the back seat. The side of a cereal box. Or a flip chart hung in Stall #1 of the women’s bathroom on the basement of the Library at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. I feel better having …
Dance, dance, wherever you go
To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. – Hopi saying A reader named Allan must know me well. "I think you might enjoy this video," he wrote. Of course, I LOVED it. As I watched it, I wanted to BE Matt. I wanted to dance. I wanted …
Feel yourself beloved on earth, then make me Scottish
Is there a lovelier accent than that of the Scottish? I think not. Oh, alright. I’m very fond of my friend Richard’s Kiwi accent. (Happy Birthday, Richard!) And there’s Tony and his lovely South African tone. And Eliav’s Israeli accent is definitely a keeper. But honestly? The Scottish? My favorite. …
Reach back, reach forward
Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes. -Gloria Naylor Papa, apa, pita-ji, pabbi, daidi, otosan, tata, tevas, baba, peder, babbas, tayta, pare, daddy. No matter the language you speak, today’s the day to say "father" or "daddy" or "poppy" and reach out a hand to memories or …
