I Read the Obits Today, Oh Boy!
The first thing I want to know when I get my morning New York Times is who died. I go straight to the obituaries. It’s where I meet some of my favorite people — ones I never knew about, like an inventor of Twister.
His obit appeared on Friday. The following day another fascinating one appeared. It was about the man who unleashed a nation of professional dog walkers.
Summer’s 20 Most Unusual Holidays!
You probably think there aren’t many, if any, holidays between the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Fact is, there are dozens — practically one for every day. So don’t worry, you have plenty of reasons to invite friends over for cookouts. I’ve put together a list of not-so-well-known holidays and observances to help you avoid the summer doldrums. They range from serious to silly, inspirational to insane.
The Best Way to See Fireworks Is Above the Fray
I had no idea how popular I was going to be when I bought my condo in Boston 14 years ago. It’s the top flat of a New England “triple decker.” The wood structure was built in the late 1800s and is on the crest of a hill in the city’s Jamaica Plain section. I was new to Boston when I moved there, having relocated from Birmingham, Ala.
Skin Cancer Made Me Love Summer Even More
When I was told I could not go out in the sun this year, I had to renegotiate my summer contract
Henry James described “summer afternoon” as “the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Many people would agree with him, me included.
But like most boomers I’ve had to change my relationship with summer. It’s still beautiful, but in different, more interesting ways.
Forget Outing Gay Sports Players. I Outed a Straight One!
Thirty-eight years before the NBA’s Jason Collins announced he was gay, another famous athlete did the same thing. While one is being roundly praised for his actions, the other was mostly scorned. I know. I was reporting from the sidelines.
The Lessons I Learned as an AIDS Volunteer
When I heard that St. Clare’s Hospital in New York was in desperate need of volunteers to help AIDS patients, I decided to sign up. I went to the hospital, which was then located in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, one evening after work. I met with a thin, silver-haired woman who was in charge of the volunteer program. She looked very Upper East Side. Proper, but also flustered and overworked.
Annette Funicello: Forever Young
I remember exactly where I was the moment I heard that Annette Funicello had died — some 56 years ago. It was the most shocking news I had ever heard, prior to the Kennedy assassination.
The year was 1956. I was 8 years old. I was on a cement playground at the Evergreen Elementary School in Whittier, Calif., which was Richard Nixon’s hometown. I had stayed after school to play with some classmates. My friend Raleigh came over to me with a stunned look on his face. “I just heard that Annette died,” he told me. “She was killed in a car crash.”
I Saw ‘Star Wars’ With George Lucas
I was thrilled to hear George Lucas’ recent announcement that he has signed Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford to recreate their iconic characters – Luke Skywalker, Princess Lea and Han Solo — in the next Star Wars movie.
But I couldn’t help thinking, what about me?
The Work-at-Home Dress Code: What to Wear Now!
In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s Fashion Week in New York City. The world’s leading designers — Marc Jacobs, Prada, Chanel, Armani, Calvin Klein, Lagerfeld, you name them — are in town to show off their new collections.
According to the media, the well- dressed woman this spring will be wearing bold patterns in stripes, checks, polka dots and animal prints. As for sportswear, look for short suits, tweed jackets, maxi dresses, ’60s silhouettes and sheer panels. The hot colors: Deep red and beachy turquoises.