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   Andy Williams immortalized the lyrics in his holiday standard, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.’’ There’ll be scary ghost stories And tales of the glories Of Christmases long, long ago   Those words resonate for many of us at Christmas. We remember fondly the family and friends who have passed away, theContinue reading “Xmas tales of gifts, storms and the Great Tree Caper”

   I’ve been in the Christmas mood since I drove past Seneca Falls in early November, then discovered my oldies radio station already had switched to holiday music.    Seneca Falls is no Potterville. It prides itself on hosting the annual It’s A Wonderful Life Festival and bills itself as an inspiration for the endearingContinue reading “Do you earn coal or kudos for Christmas movie test?”

    I tried not to show any desperation, but three weeks before Christmas I was cornered.    What do you buy for the spouse who seemingly has everything she needs, who doesn’t seek material things like flashy jewelry, trendy cars or designer clothes?    When my editor asked if I wanted to go shopping, IContinue reading “It’s a husband’s lament – What do I buy for Mrs. Wonderful?”

   I had decided the family collection of Christmas albums were like library books, tools and casserole dishes. Every time you lend one, you have a 50-50 chance of it disappearing.    So when my sister, Anne Marie Holleran, asked to borrow Christmas records from my late father’s prized collection, I winced a bit. IContinue reading “Christmas season began with sorting family record collection”

    As we entered the hearing clinic, I carried a sense of dread. When married folks argue, men often protest: “I didn’t hear you say that.’’   That excuse might not win many arguments, but it sure has sturdy legs. The first cousin of that excuse – “I think my hearing is going bad’’ – alsoContinue reading “Marriage is a lifelong skills test based on hearing. Whadya say? “

   The two oldest basketball players – 69 and 68 – kibbitzed in the lobby of my  local YMCA, recapping the morning results, assessing who hogs the ball, and critiquing which guy calls too many “tickle’’ fouls.     I swung the conversation to retirement, not from work, but from play. Jimmy Nunn-sense and I mayContinue reading “OGs (Old Guys) ignore age for a chance to keep playing”

  Every time the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald is discussed, Kathy McSorley lives through another 15 minutes of fame, sort of a “Groundhog Day’’ movie.     TV documentary? Let’s talk with Kathy.    Another book – The Gales of November – is published? What does Kathy think?   The 50th anniversary of the GreatContinue reading “Captain’s niece treasures lore of the Edmund Fitzgerald”

   Literature has its triangles — stories work when one party is at odds with the other two. The U.S. Constitution has its life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Christianity has its Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In life, two is a coincidence and three embodies a pattern.    The rule of three struck againContinue reading “Three books provide a surge of memories”

      My Irish forebearers did a wonderful thing spreading Halloween to America. Who doesn’t remember the costumes and a night of trick-or-treating, spilling the bag on the living room rug and sorting through all the sweet treats. Our parents cringed at the sugar intake, but they gave us a pass for one night a year.Continue reading “The time and energy devoted to Halloween will scare you”

   A gentle rain was falling when the first car pulled up to my driveway. The shower kept my golf clubs tucked in the garage, but it opened a window for piemaking, something my posse of retirees hadn’t undertaken in five months.    We don’t go out to breakfast, complain about politics, go shopping, orContinue reading “Simple Simon never met with my humorous piemen”