It is with tears in my eyes that I report that my beloved first writing teacher, Miss Alice Webster, passed away on Thursday, just a month after I visited her in Rochester. Her kind niece wrote me the news this afternoon, saying that she had declined quickly, "although the joyful countenance rarely . . .
Curly hair on a humid day by Jackie LudtkeSummer in Rochester is heavy and thick,the hot air smothering any spark of energy.There’s hope in every hint of a cooling breeze,but it’s dashed seconds laterwhen the air is again close and still.You could bake muffins in the miasma.“Isn’t the weather . . .
If I lived in my hometown, my concern would be the coming of winter in just a few months and how I would get snow tires on and the driveway shoveled to be able to drive to Wegman's for groceries.Living here, my concern is when I'm ever going to get my garage empty so I can put my car in it.If I . . .
I found Miss Webster about a year ago.I'd always wondered if she were still alive and I was glad to learn that she was retired and living independently --still sharp as a tack in her 80s.We exchanged a few emails and I told her what I'd always wanted her to know: that her high school journalism . . .
How good it feels to be home in California after a week in my hometown,even when that week was a joyous one. Our dogs,our house, our bed, our routine. Going "home" to my city of birth has been often stressful and fraught with negativity. Not so this time. One of the reasons was my very . . .
I remember the first time someone who had been to Rochester, NYtold me they thought it was beautiful.I was completely taken aback.But on this trip, which has been lighter and more funthan any I've made since my mother died,I am seeing our hometown with new eyes,and it is beautiful.Mature trees stand . . .
Sicilian-Americans know how to give a party. My sister-in-law, in particular, is a master of party giving.The details for the Normandy invasion were nothing, compared to the items in the spiral notebook that recorded planning and execution of my nephew's 21st birthday party on July 4th.I have never . . .
On our way to Rochester, NY, landing Sunday evening.We're from New York State. But most people assume that means New York City. No.Take a look at this county map of the state. Now look at the far left, right along that bend of white space that represents Lake Ontario. Yes, one of the Great . . .
I love orange for summer, especially when paired with any shade that approximates neon green.The colors remind me of beach shorts, t-shirts, beach caps and generally, the happiness that is a summer day. Anywhere. Fortunately, these colors are quite in style now. Trendy, even. I love that orange . . .
I met someone the other day who had just moved here from Australia. I had 20 questions for her.No, more like 120: Why did you move? What drew you here? What was it like in Australia? What did you like about it? What didn't you like about it? Had you always lived there? Where did you work? . . .