Back when grade school was called grammar school and the verb form of “text” did not exist, the Sisters of Charity at Immaculate Conception Grammar School in Montclair, New Jersey, took English, the parts of speech and sentence structure very seriously. They taught us why it’s important to avoid dangling modifiers, when an adverb can modify … Continue reading
Before computers were friendly and usable, the geeks among us loved the asterisk. Forgotten by most, it shares a flat with number “8” on the northern row of the keyboard. As a wildcard for filenames, file extensions, and directories, the asterisk was – and still is – a great way to list, find, move, and copy files if … Continue reading
Twas the day before the fourth and all through the yard Every creature was stirring, the kids worked so hard The lawn nicely mowed, not a weed could you find Four grills were out back, right under the pine The children wrapped streamers in blue and in red While Brookdale soda bottles danced in their heads … Continue reading
For many years, my father-in-law, Bob White, hosted a Memorial Day flag raising ceremony in his front yard. It was a big neighborhood event – especially when my wife, Katie, was young. Kids decorated their bikes for the block-long parade, Dick Weigel played Taps from behind the big pine tree, and Bob gave a combination Bob Hope stand-up routine/ode … Continue reading
Nine is the number for me When I say it, it gives me such glee! It starts with an “N” And ends with and “E” And it’s three times as fun as a three My order of birth is a nine Which explains this fixation of mine Celia is eight Which is one short of great … Continue reading
May 16, 2011 Trump is out, which is good news for Republicans because his departure makes the GOP less silly. The operative word is “less” because we Republicans need a candidate that can mount a serious, grown-up alternative to Obama. Let’s face it. This is an uphill battle. Barring some disastrous scandal or the economy going in … Continue reading
This article comments on the connection between “disfluency” and The Saint John’s Bible. Slowing down and chewing on the words is much more fulfilling.
Taking Up My Cross is a fictional account of a guy desperate to avoid his cross.
This page includes some of my published letters and essays. “Beeline” was my first and one of my favorites. Puns may be the lowest form of humor, but they’re still funny.
The setting of Faithful Friends is northern New Jersey and its a story about two old friends who survived World War II, love baseball and continue to support each other as they grow old.
Jottings by Jim 