Month: September 2019

Two seminarians, Rome, mid 60’s go on a journey at a decision point in their lives  Late September, my third year in Rome. I was in a funk. Another year of dry theology classes at the Gregorian University stretched before me. More importantly, the subdiaconate and the promise to live a celibate life loomed on … Continue reading A Watershed Vacation

My buddy Spalding and I sat in the front seat of his suspension-sprung station wagon staring up at 347 steps leading to the top of Mt. Baldy and the platform overlooking Lake Michigan. Spalding’s nephew, Deeter, stretched his skinny adolescent neck between us trying to follow the steps into the cloud level tree tops. “Neat!” … Continue reading Young Bull…Old Bull

Do we really want to connect with childhood friends? A call came in on their car Bluetooth. “Hey, Nino.” Anthony grimaced, cut a glance at his wife. No one had called him that since he was a kid, back in Detroit’s east side Italian neighborhood. Kathleen, raised an eyebrow, mouthed his new-old name. “Russ Amico.” … Continue reading Leave My Stories Be

  “Let’s talk about this guy who ran a trout stream through his house. What if the Mayflies hatched all over his living room?  Would he be able to dangle a dry fly from his easy chair?” “Stow it. All right, Scritch?” I pleaded with my buddy. “You’re the one who introduced me to talking.” … Continue reading Chatter Coach