Back in the 1950s, before my father was a spy, he was the Associated Press Bureau chief for the entire continent of Africa. He had a friend and colleague, a photojournalist, whom he admired because he wasn’t afraid to get in close to get the shot. One day my father’s friend was out on the […] Read More
The Princess Who Loved Books Too Much. A fairy tale.
The Princess Who Loved Books Too Much. A fairy tale. See way out there, across the sea? Do you see? Do you see the slight sliver of land just below the horizon… That’s the land of Listentime. And in the land of Listentime, there is a castle. And in the castle is a princess. She […] Read More
Pebbles, Shells, Skippers.
Pebbles, Shells, Skippers. Pebbles. You’ve never seen a beach so covered with pebbles. Each one of them is perfect, smooth, soft and hard to touch. You don’t see sand, though you know it must be there underneath. They come in a variety of tones, grays and beiges of course, but also pinks, blues, turquoises, […] Read More
Loose Leash and Commitment
Two short love stories for a summer day: Loose Leash That’s him, the big burley politician sharing his views on the late night news show. She hasn’t seen him in years and never in this context. His smile still has that sweet edge, his intelligent humor and passionate convictions, like his presence, have grown larger. […] Read More
Five Fourths of July
Happy Fourth of July to all. Here are five of mine: 1. The farm. Each car arriving over the hill would receive some announcement. Somebody could identify the car and if not, there were predictions, and Mom would run out to greet it. I was sitting there at that window that faced the hill, the […] Read More
My Father is Immortal
Three years ago today, my father died. He was 96. I wrote this piece about him when he was 91. I gave it to him and he liked it. Of course I never believed my father would die, so: My Father is Immortal. I am falling asleep on his lap, in the warmth and safety […] Read More
Senior Moment
My play “Senior Moment” opens with Young Louis professing his love to Young Dorothy. She’s off in the distance though, and we’re not sure if she can hear him. They are dressed for Senior Prom, circa 1950s: YOUNG LOUIS: I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I look at you, my eyes and heart are clear. When you […] Read More
Monkey Wishes
I see a howler monkey in Costa Rica and I remember how I wanted one so, so badly when I was twelve. My sister Annie and her new husband Al were living in Panama City then, and she had come home for a visit, and told us that kids in Panama had monkeys as pets. […] Read More