Our country is divided in so many ways; it’s not just political parties, belief in the Big Lie. Another way to make sense of Americans and America is by looking at Americans’ behavior: how they spend their time in activities: firearms, sports, screen time and maybe even reading. Reading habits and reading are two pleasuresContinue reading “In the minority again”
Author Archives: Richard Halpern
Not named after Nomar
An ordinary life. Just strolling along the Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick, the town I grew up in, was part of my weekend. While I grew up in Natick, a suburb of Boston, and was always a Red Sox fan who loved learning the statistics about them, from an early age, ever since I wasContinue reading “Not named after Nomar”
Losing one’s place in the world
“Love is a many splendored thing” a poet or philosopher once said. It could have also been “life is a many splendid thing”. So much to discover, learn, share, explore and do. Every day has its surprises if we’re open to watching for them. But not all the surprises are really splendid. When things areContinue reading “Losing one’s place in the world”
The laugh of the deeply insane
It was the later part of July and we four were hiking at Little Wilson Falls near Moosehead Lake in Piscataquis County, Maine, the least populated county in the state of Maine. We were on a woodland path, part of the Adirondack Trail with a stream that cascaded into a series of small waterfalls andContinue reading “The laugh of the deeply insane”
Digestion digressions
“Welcome to the place where shit happens” . That was the sign above the urinal at the restaurant washroom I stopped into one evening just prior to ordering a meal. Digestion was on my mind as I had just had a colonoscopy a week prior. It was my first colonoscopy in a decade and itContinue reading “Digestion digressions”
Maya, Mixie, Martha, Daisy & Shayna
It was just the four of us living together in my family of origin. I wish I had another sibling but most all of our cousins, aunts and uncles, only had two children as well. No living things on four legs joined us in the den or welcomed us home after school or work. NoContinue reading “Maya, Mixie, Martha, Daisy & Shayna”
Fun at last
“And we’ll have fun, fun, fun until daddy takes the pickle ball away! …. (again), and we’ll have fun, fun, fun, fun … until daddy takes the pickle ball away!!!!” … I know I’m showing my age by referencing Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, but it’s just that it’s springtime in New England andContinue reading “Fun at last”
Getting my head examined
“You’re crazy … you should really get your head examined!” How many times have I heard that in my life? More times than I would like to admit. I suppose I’ve said some zany and unexpected things over the years, causing someone to criticize or complain about me. Not crazy, “cool” like some enviable hipContinue reading “Getting my head examined”
off the hook 