In his magnum opus, the Dark Tower heptology, Stephen King writes a foreword to the last several volumes entitled simply, “On Being Nineteen,” and the number 19 shows up as an idée fixe throughout the series. I remember 19 very well: it is a potent threshold, a time...
(Thoughts on the eve of the Alfred Mann Music Festival) When I was nineteen, I was offered a position as composition instructor at a university. To my dad, a musicologist and college professor, this must have seemed a dream come true. What more wonderful career...
For years I have believed that the most empowering thing one can do is to freely declare, “I was wrong.” I believe this is one of those acts that can elevate one’s character and ennoble one’s life as almost nothing else can. Why is it that we so ardently cling to...
I’ve had more response from my last post, “Lessons from My Mom on Staying Young Forever,” than just about any other post I’ve written. I so wish she were here to see all these books being published, one after the other. She would doubtless have a caustic and hilarious...
My mom’s birthday is this coming Thursday (she would have been 78), so this seemed the right time to post a piece inspired by her. This occurred to me this morning, when Ana said, “I was just thinking how grateful I am to your mom.” When I asked why, she said,...
