Author Archives: jimholleran29

   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”

    Somewhere between March 17s, I lost my head and graciously offered Kathleen Holleran the chance to sing during our annual St. Patrick’s Day party.    Beverages, banter and blarney were flowing. Fifty pounds of corned beef were disappearing from warming trays. We drew 110 guests to our annual heritage celebration, and it was inContinue reading “‘Irish Eyes Were Smilin’ when family star took the stage”

    Watch parties are set. Food is ordered. Schools and businesses will close. Hotel rooms are scarce. Everything seems ready for the once-in-a lifetime total solar eclipse on April 8.   But the biggest player in this whole celestial extravaganza – when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth and its shadow races acrossContinue reading “Clouds on April 8 could cause a total eclipse of the heart”

   Each year about this time, my thoughts turn to my late father. My mind is jogged by Major League Baseball spring training games and the start of high school practices. March was Fran Holleran’s birth month so memories percolate.      How could I forget those breezy, cold afternoons on the Morristown bus garage pavementContinue reading “Facing Ted Williams a myth, but Johnny Mize was a blast”