Monthly Archives: October 2013

It’s been 50 years since the young anthropologist, Owen Lynch, first came to dinner in our small, dark Columbia University apartment and played with our young children. He‘d returned many times since – often fresh from a trip to India … Continue reading →

There I was, lucky enough to be at the glorious Met, in the third row.  My generous daughter had splurged on a ticket for me.  She and her husband were also going, but they were sitting in cheaper seats in … Continue reading →

I don’t mean to play favorites.  Honestly, I use and appreciate all the subway lines the city offers, but I travel to and from work, and to my children’s home on the #1.  So I know it pretty well. Since I … Continue reading →

Harry puts the roast in the pre-warmed oven following Louise’s specific instructions, and then he forgets all about it.  When she arrives she is frantic, but Harry hasn’t noticed smell or smoke.  He is in his study reading Margaret Fuller’s, … Continue reading →

I am so happy to be here today. I thank Gabriel’s parents, David and Giselle, for the great honor of inviting me to speak. My initial reaction was to go right home and dig out my old silver bugle, polish it up and … Continue reading →

“The grandmother that everyone thought dead was a lie and kicking.”  “My handsomest uncle has always been an encourageable romantic.” “In my notebook, I have a complete copulation of the material.” “My sister would bend over backwards for anyone in … Continue reading →

At the Writers Workshop in Iowa City in 1950 the professor who taught my graduate English course said to me sternly after the big exam, “Young lady, Question 1 was obligatory.  The other questions were optional.  Why didn’t you do … Continue reading →

I love and admire poetry, but have never been able to write a really good poem.  I’ve tried many times.  I’ve even been published in school magazines! But I attribute those few pathetic publications to either a dearth of better … Continue reading →

 I am the world’s most willing virtual traveler. I will happily go anywhere on a page!  I come from an immigrant family that fled Hungary for Brooklyn and stopped there forever.  There I grew up, never going farther than the … Continue reading →