So close

Almost. We’re one day from April, and the snow here in our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood is waving its last bye-bye, what with a high of 57 forecast for tomorrow. At least I hope its one final wave. You never know around here. A common comment: Remember the year we woke up to inches…

‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ is full of wonderfully odd

In Wes Anderson’s world of “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” there are more odd ducks flapping about than in the pond next to the nuclear power plant. You know the old saying about funny peculiar or funny ha-ha? In this strange and wonderful offering, Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori answer yes and yes. Fiennes’ expansive turn…

Yes, we can change a whole lot in a year

My treasure chest of rediscovered old photographs included a copy of my high school yearbook graduation shot and a candid picture taken by a fellow photography student my freshman year in college. Man, was I uptight for the graduation shot for my high school yearbook. How I left the house that day with my hair…

Whoa! When did your hair get that long?

Daughter Elisabeth and boyfriend George got to the Appleby’s before us for lunch yesterday, seated side-by-side and reading the menus when my dear wife Karen and I spotted them and sat down. Good talk, much smiling, a raised eyebrow or two, more laughs and satisfying catch-up, as usual. Health insurance changes. Physical therapy practices. Family…

Thank you for not just blowing smoke, Carl

When I nominated Carl D’Agostino for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award this morning, I dared him to draw one of his blog-funny cartoons about it. He said he already had something appropriate. And the Florida cartoonist sent me the above, signed. It is three-flame worthy. Thank you, sir.

Renegade bulbs shoot us some green

My dear wife Karen remembers digging up the tulip bulbs at this particular corner of a front garden last fall. They didn’t get along well with the juniper-come-lately as it grew. And they’d been there coming up on 10 years. Karen says they’ve been looking more and more scraggly each year. A couple little buggers…

I have been Dragon my feet on Loyalty, Liebster awards

Time to empty the WordPress guilt closet. I’ve been putting off my official acceptance post for a couple of awards that came down the pike in the last week or so. First, my music-loving friend peacelovegreatcountrymusic nominated me for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. This blog is full of good tips about what you should listen…

My plan to save college sports

The subject of college sports and payment of athletes again rages around America because a labor board ruled in favor of certain players being able to start a union. It’s a heavy topic, with complicated layers and possible ramifications. I come with a simple plan. I think it’s fair to all college athletes. Take the…