Sidebar On my ride back from the gym I spied the sheep dog.  He is owned by one of the golf club’s groundsmen.  They have been a team since we move here, almost six years ago.  I don’t know either of their names but I …

Manicures. When our friend Jane, who lives in San Jose, has her manicures by Sally the discussion often turns to stocks.  It seems Sally is a day-trader and had been doing alright.  Last summer Sally kept telling Jane about the stocks she was trading and, …

Supersize that for you?

The Markets Ugh, drip, drip, drip.  Watching today’s market was like water torture.  Until the last half hour it was snoozeville.  When Burger King reported fewer customer visits the consumer sector collapsed, led by McDonald’s, down 3% at one time.  But the last half hour …

The ICW

Chapter Two Sights and Scenes along the ICW The rain hadn’t stopped as we eased our way out of The Boatyard at Hampstead. Gerald and his crew watched to see if we cleared the tight channel. The mechanic, Steve, was standing on the pier, next …

The ICW

The ICW Chapter One: Picking up the boat Gerald is about 5’10” and has the handsome good looks women flock to.  And he has the quiet confidence men are drawn to.   Gerald could be thirty or over forty, in great shape, sporting a ruddy tan …

The Great Pickle Drop

This is an excerpt from a larger essay on two towns, South Royalton, Vermont and Mt Olive, North Carolina.  The following recaps an extraordinary New Year’s Eve spent in Mt Olive two years ago. Mt. Olive, North Carolina December 31, 2006 Barbara Jean and Mr. …

Bishops Head Maryland

An explanation to our sons about their Grandparent’s decision to move to the most remote part of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Dear Sons, July 27, 2006 My parents seemed to do little planning. This was best demonstrated in their retirement years. While I always …