I knew seven people killed on 9/11. But I only knew one of them real well. I knew Tom Knox (“Tommy”) because I coached him for five years at the North Jersey Rugby Club. He was a great kid. Funny, quick witted, really sparkling personality. The sort of fellow you enjoy hanging around with; you’re … Read more
The subject is 9/11. We have reached the five year anniversary. Peggy Noonan has a beautiful short essay. "I just called to say I love you" OpinionJournal – Peggy Noonan
I’ve been weblogging for one year. Of course the impetus was to write about my chemotherapy lymphoma treatment, with my (at times other) inane chatter secondary. In total, I have posted 496 times, have received 239 comments, and many, many, more emails. I’ve heard from people with lymphoma from around the country and overseas, from … Read more
That’s the title of the email that was sent to me today and which is below. The story originates with an article in the Omaha World-Herald newspaper. Read the story. You’ll understand the gesture. Look at the picture below closely before reading the story. A good story about a real hero. The Marine Corps Gunnery … Read more
There was a very interesting essay in the Times (UK) about three weeks ago. It was in response to a television personality in Great Britain (Jenni Murray) who proudly proclaimed that she would "die when I want to" by euthanizing herself. Here’s the response, by Mary Kenny To be a burden is to be truly … Read more
There’s an interesting one year anniversary. When I said to Brigid yesterday "Tomorrow’s a one year anniversary" she couldn’t think of what it was. So a year ago today I went over to Phelps Memorial Hospital for a Muga scan (a type of heart scan) to get the OK for the chemo, and then went … Read more
Was today. The boys go back to school tomorrow and actually appear to be ready for it. It’s been a great summer. Tim had two two-week sessions of camp at Teatown Lake reservation, where he merrily chased frogs and snakes. The two week sessions sandwiched his two weeks of baseball camp, where he picked up … Read more
Today I had my blood counts done at Sloan Kettering in Sleepy Hollow (as per the plan to monitor them) and they were a bit better. At least to the point where Dr Chia decided my red count was good enough to not need the scheduled shot of Darbepoetin, the red blood cell booster, that … Read more
This is written by a Jesuit Polish-American priest, the late Walter J. Ciszek, and I have been meaning to read it for quite a number of years. Father was imprisoned by the Soviet Union while carrying on a priestly mission ministry in Russia. They claimed he was a spy. Fr. Ciszek spent 23 years (1940-1963) … Read more
Here is a feature article in the Washington Post that some might find fiddly and boring, but I found fascinating. It gives a great insight into Mennonite and Amish thinking. These groups continue to prosper as they stick with their traditional ways. Still Called by Faith To the Phone Booth It used to be that … Read more