Monthly Archives: May 2013

Kissing

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Roger Walck

“Leaning In,” by Mindy Kaling.  The New Yorker, 5/20/2013 A recent issue of The New Yorker was devoted to articles on innovation.  That issue also had several short pieces called “Imagined Inventions,” inventions that would be nice to have if … Continue reading →

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Prices

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Roger Walck

I was visiting my elderly father in his retirement condo in Florida about 15 years ago. (The same community where, by coincidence, Jean Williamson’s parents, Coit and Mary, lived.  Jean lived nearby, and I often saw all three of them … Continue reading →

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Gimpel the Fool

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Roger Walck

I first became aware of Isaac Bashevis Singer from his short stories published for many years in The New Yorker magazine.  In 1978 he won the Nobel Prize for literature, and I was surprised that he was so well known. … Continue reading →

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Disappointment

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Roger Walck

Children, grandchildren, almost inevitably disappoint through no fault of their own.  When they are young, we jump on the tiniest interest or skill as portending fame and fortune.  See how well she draws?  Surely she will be a famous artist … Continue reading →

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Family Photographs

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Roger Walck

Once a year, my mother would dress up my sister and me in our Sunday clothes and take us to 69th Street’s Frank & Cedar department store to have our portrait taken.  The 8×10 photo would be placed in a … Continue reading →

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Empty Adjectives

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Roger Walck

The website of the Philadelphia Inquire had an interesting article by Erika Ettin, a woman who makes a living by writing dating profiles for those who are sexy, witty, and funny, but not good writers.  She will also help them … Continue reading →

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Alfred I. du Pont’s Carillon

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Roger Walck

This is the plaque attached to the memorial carillon mentioned in the May 2 posting, The Sad Life of Alfred I. du Pont.  (Alfred’s father was the grandson of the founder of the DuPont company with the same name.  Both … Continue reading →

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Lansdowne Statistics

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Roger Walck

Here are a few statistics on Lansdowne posted last February on the Philadelphia Inquirer’s website: Population: 10,579 (2010). Median income: $60,732 (2009). Size: 1.2 square miles. Homes for sale: 70 Median sale price (single-family home): $115,000. Housing stock: 4,999 units, … Continue reading →

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The Ouija Board

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Roger Walck

My grandmother had a Ouija board once used by my mother and her sisters when they were children but now kept in her dining room coat closet, high up on the shelf.  The dark closet added to its mystery.  The … Continue reading →

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The Sad Life of Alfred I. du Pont

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Roger Walck

  Many visitors to Alfred I. du Pont’s fabulous Nemours mansion just outside of Wilmington, DE, must think to themselves. “Wow, I sure wish I had been Alfred.”  If they knew the true details of his life, they would not … Continue reading →

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