Mark Twain famously said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” I am neither the writer nor do I have the wit of Twain (does anyone?), but I share his appreciation for the power of language.
I have been described as a “lumper, not a splitter,” as I look for connections and commonalities among seemingly different things. I’m infinitely curious. I believe it is never too late to follow a dream. My goal is for these qualities to come through in my works and in my writings.
I am proud to be a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. I am pleased to be among the honorees from the New York State Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, receiving Honorable Mention for the Best COVID-19 Feature Story.
You can find some of my recently published stories on this page or click on any category in the dropdown menu to explore more. (Note: some stories are behind a paywall. That is because paid subscribers are part of the equation that is needed so that the publication can pay freelancers like me. Please subscribe to support journalism if the publication fits with your interests.)
Just as birth doulas coach, comfort, and offer companionship to the expectant mother, death doulas do the same for the dying and their loved ones at the opposite end of life’s journey. They also help caregivers cope with witnessing and tending to the dying process, and they help prepare caregivers and the dying mentally and emotionally for the end. They also fill a critical gap in end-of-life care.
Whenever my dad left our house for any reason other than for work, we never knew
what he would bring home: a wood lathe, antique clocks, a live goat, colorful fishing
tackle, a gigantic victrola horn—those are among the cornucopia that I recall from my childhood. On occasion, he would return with something truly spectacular like a running Model T Ford.
In this Boston Globe essay, I explore how the seemingly simple act of being present, of bearing witness in the face of impending death may be the most meaningful — and most difficult — thing we can do.
In “The Lost Art of Connecting,” Susan McPherson, a superior “people connector” and CEO of McPherson Strategies, offers sage advice to help us avoid the “out of sight, out of mind” pitfall.
Making a career change is a BIG decision. Making a major career pivot is an even bigger one. You can read my AARP story with insights from career professionals and a couple of people who made a successful transition.
How Music Therapy Helps Children Heal at Westchester’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital History and culture are filled with stories about the soothing power of music. In Greek mythology, Orpheus calmed the seas with his lyre. In a biblical account, David played the harp to ease King Saul’s troubled mind. Today, music therapy is used to…
A local HIV treatment and prevention clinic combats both old myths and new complacency to drive down a persistent infection rate.
Is there new light on old history in Yorktown? This story includes original genealogical research of Yorktown’s Underhill family and their connections to abolitionists and possible involvement in the Underground Railroad.
Ballroom dance styles are centuries old, considered both an art and a sport, have been denounced by the Vatican, and can be elegant and graceful as well as sexy and steamy. Discover why ballroom is a passion for people of all ages and why no one truly has two left feet.
“As I describe in the book, 97 percent of people from working-class backgrounds believe that their background affects their work experience, yet this is a subject that most consultants aren’t talking about.”
In celebration of National Independent Bookstore Day, a peek into the roles that independent bookstores play within our communities.
New York Times’ puzzlemaster extraordinaire Will Shortz dishes crosswords, table tennis, life in Pleasantville, staying healthy and more.
Westchester’s beloved weatherman discusses everything from ageism to climate change while retaining his trademark sunny disposition.
How two Westchester neighbors are leading the effort to prevent sudden cardiac deaths in local communities.
People and Places Along the Freedom Movement from Queens to Albany.
