Dad was generous to a fault with his family and friends, but pinched pennies in unlikely places. He cheerfully paid his taxes, lavished gifts on all of us, donated heavily to charity, but hated road tolls.
All tagged family
Not All Victims Of War Fall On The Battlefield
He suffered no wounds. John's physical condition as he returned to civilian life is described as "good."
Nowhere does it mention his mental condition.
All They Want For Christmas Is You
When I arrived, they were thrilled to see me in the way only your parents can be.
Flying The Flag For A Friend
On the morning of the Fourth of July, on a leafy side street in Trenton, N.J., a tall, gray-haired man with a mustache will open his front door, step outside and solemnly hang an American flag.
Remember Summer Camp?
I'd packed exactly 14 pairs of underpants. In a puzzling development, they all came back unworn. They still smelled of Downy. But my son sure didn't.
A Mother's Day Confession
My mother could climb trees, ice skate and walk miles in high heels. There was no way was I letting Superwoman get her hands on me with the worst kind of a confession: A belated one.
IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
It’s a particular kind of hell when your child is quarantined in the nation’s current coronavirus hotspot.
Covid Chronicles: Live from New Orleans, Volume 2.
Our digital director is back with Vol. 2 of the COVID Chronicles: The Big Lonely.
OBX: Hasty Closure Leaves Caregivers Scrambling
Dare County officials decided that the only way to block virus tourists from outbreak hotspots like New York was to close the border. But they forgot about caregivers who go to the Outer Banks to help folks.
Super Bowl LIV: Football and Dueling Derriere
Five years ago I would have thoroughly enjoyed every second of the half-time show. But watching with a kid in the room? Changes everything.
Second Chances
“Kerry you have GOT to come downstairs,” she began breathlessly. “Santa ate the cookies and the reindeer ate the carrots!”
Thanksgiving. More Than A Chic Centerpiece.
My absolute favorite Thanksgivings were spent at a wobbly card table covered by a freshly ironed bed sheet.
Dad's War Diary
Merchant marines died at a rate of 1 in 26. The highest rate of casualties in any branch of the military. Yet it wasn’t until 1988 the men who served were recognized as veterans of World War II.
Tough-Love-Tom And The Suicide Hotline
Some intuitive person in the church basement got to know my dad and realized – most likely in a moment of exquisite horror – that rather than talking people off a ledge, my father was more likely to lose his temper and give them a metaphorical push.
It’s June. Get A Job.
A 2018 poll of teenagers showed that only 35 percent of 16 to 19 years olds planned to get summer jobs. That’s sharply lower than 2000 when 51 percent entered the seasonal job market.
Professional Gambler Deconstructs “Jeopardy!”
By Final Jeopardy Holzhauer’s usually so far ahead that his opponents are dialing for an Uber.
Halfway Around The World
We all complain about the state of commercial air travel. But it beats a slow boat to China. Or Vietnam.
Caroling For Cash
I thought about that family all through the movie. As soon as it was over, I rushed out, looking for them, but they had vanished.
Return Address Rage
"I'm a writer," I hissed. "There are lots of things I know nothing about, but I do understand apostrophes and this ball doesn't get one."