Author Archives: jimholleran29

   I was jogging downcourt at the YMCA after sinking a three-pointer against the 40-something newbie when he turned to his teammate and asked, “How old is this guy?’’    I chuckled. Certainly, it was good for the ego of an almost 67-year-old basketball player, but it balanced the doubts I had carried for theContinue reading “When do aging athletes know it’s time to hang up sneakers?”

By KATHY M. CONNORGuest columnist    Twenty-eight years of raising kids in a small community, packing the house with chattels and mementoes, remodeling and redecorating have come to an end. My gracious, lovely home in Morristown is up for sale.     Twenty-eight years ago, I returned to St. Lawrence County, after living in Canada. As IContinue reading ” Sorting treasures, memories of yesteryear in this old house”

   While the jury was still considering the verdict of this century – a felony conviction of a former president — Donald Trump had begun his own pity party. It was laughable.      “Mother Teresa could not beat these charges, but we’ll see,’’ said Trump.     Whoa. The former leader of the free world wasContinue reading “Trump and Mother Teresa? Enough of the martyr complex”

   I have had the date circled on the family calendar for weeks. June 28 is the date my wife, Mary, retires. June 29 is the date my life changes … for the good?    I left the workforce in January 2020 when school budget cuts eliminated my job for the second time. I facedContinue reading “I’m chanting ‘4 more years’ – it’s not about an election”

   The letter from the Social Security Administration arrived from Baltimore and landed on our kitchen counter like the Hindenburg. No flames, but it definitely crashlanded. We were the ones left muttering, “Oh, the humanity …’’    It was titled “Notice of Overpayment’’ and in straightforward language it detailed how Kathleen B. Holleran’s benefits hadContinue reading “Who bills a Special Olympian for Social Security’s error?”

   I refrained from opening the memory boxes that I have been stuffing for 30-plus years. I figured it would be too painful. So many memories would tug at my heart and the tears would flow when I picked through the items.     It turns out, neither happened.     There were so many artifacts, soContinue reading “When you open a memory box, bring a box of tissues too”

   Gardening gurus will tell you that May 15 is the earliest date to plant your tomatoes in St. Lawrence County. That’s generally the date of the last frost.   Tomato plants won’t survive outdoors when the thermometer dips to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and they won’t thrive if the temperature lingers below 50. So consultContinue reading “How do you like them tomatoes? I’ll pass”

   When I walked out of the fieldhouse after my game, I was convinced. I was done refereeing youth sports. I’ll just stick with my high school schedule for my final few years, then retire.     I had just worked the championship game of a fifth- and sixth-grade boys league. The screaming parents were supercharged,Continue reading “Crazy fans. Unruly coaches. They give a ref plenty to ponder”

   This grandparent gig has no rivals.    You listen to the infectious laugh of 14-month-old Vivian and say to yourself: “This is the purest, most joyful sound in the universe.’’ In the next moment, you wince as she jumps on your groin. It resembles an America’s Funniest Home Videos segment without being heavily editedContinue reading “Childproof your house, but never put away hugs, laughter”

    I listened to my doctor fault my blood sugar number and my kidney function, then I sent up a Hail Mary.     “So doc,’’ I asked, “if you could give my health a grade, what would it be?’’    I was trying to salvage a little bit of ego. I figured that IContinue reading “So long pizza, bagels, pancakes, fries, donuts — all the good stuff”