One of the most poignant scenes in literature is in Kafka’s Metamorphosis, where Gregor Samsa’s parents, who are heartbroken and embarrassed by his physical transformation into a disgusting insect, take the painful decision of confining him to his room in
Aram-W6JY – the Armenian-American Radio Pioneer
As many of you know from my recent social media posts, I am striving to resurrect the marvelous hobby of amateur radio that I regretfully put into cold storage sixteen years ago due to other demands on my time, mostly
さようなら、私の友人、河野さん！ Goodbye, my friend, Kono-san!
さようなら、私の友人、河野さん！ [Sayonara, watashi no yujin, Kono-san!] Goodbye, my friend, Kono-san! I still remember that evening at a restaurant in Hiroshima in 1995 when, in complete ignorance, I causally placed the plastic-coated menu at the center of the dinner table, only
Nature – the Spurned Gift
While traveling in an eastern nation some years ago, I marveled at how even something as insignificant as a business card, was received with both hands and a bow, with respect and gratitude, quite in contrast to the cursory manner
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” — Dr. Seuss
The church I presently attend is small, and completely different from the last. It is neither the numbers (about the same) nor the theology, vastly divergent, though, that is the distinguishing factor, but the presence of children in the congregation.
Battered Memories
From out of nowhere they pop up, The highways and the byways; I-70 and 79 heading north to Erie, And Sligo Avenue to Silver Spring. My car’s with friends back home, And I’m wheel-less in India. When will this virus
Flowers in a Pandemic
Early this Sunday morning (India time) a friend from the US (unintentionally, I’m sure – she must have been sleepy) texted me, “Will you ever be able to come back?” It was a sobering thought that hastened my exit
Welsh Corgis, Grundig, and England
While out of the country in the month of August, I had just finished posting my ‘Picture of the Day’ (not a whole album!) on Facebook, when, with time to kill before dinner, I chanced to look at Facebook’s Marketplace,
MVA Goes Literary
The MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration) is one of the most depressing offices to visit, second only to the SSA (Social Security Administration). What is galling is not the lack of technology but the dearth of common sense and concern for
The Smiles of Strangers
In recent months, on several occasions, complete strangers (of both sexes and of varying ages) have, out of the blue, smiled kindly at me, for no apparent reason. And some even initiated conversations, that turned out to be pleasant, if