I’ve been blessed to have lived a Norman Rockwell youth. Sure, I grew up in the gritty shadow of the Bethlehem Steel complex in the snowbelts south of Buffalo. Indeed, my elementary schools and my church were literally in those shadows. And, with my house abutting the New York State’s most famous interstate, the rush of Thruway traffic lulled me to sleep every night. (To this day people wonder how I can get to sleep when staying on the lower hotel floors in noisy New York City.)
Yet, despite the seemingly urban nature of my childhood environs, it endures as an idyllic Continue Reading “America’s Pastime Sadly Past its Time”




The Side Hustle Juggle: How A Fair Game Taught Me The Secret To A Happy Life (Part I)
“Guess your weight! Guess your age!” the carny’s side hustle pitch barked with enthusiasm. The hint of a playful southern drawl made it all the more alluring.
To this day, I love watching people play the “Guess Your Weight” game. There are several variations on this theme. The barker can guess your weight, or your age, or your birth month. With all those combinations, it’s got to be a surefire winner, right? And just look at those huge Continue Reading “The Side Hustle Juggle: How A Fair Game Taught Me The Secret To A Happy Life (Part I)”