Strangers

When we came out of the bar in Iowa City, there were still twenty people on the other side of the street. They were holding signs and chanting in front of the Old Capitol. We had had nice cocktails at an upstairs bar. We had participated in a round of applause for the bartender called […]

Constitutional

Today I walked instead of driving. I’m a dedicated walker everywhere but at home. I don’t feel like I’ve been someplace unless I’ve taken public transportation. Subways are my favorite, trains come second, and I can occasionally be persuaded to take a bus. I’m afraid of ending up in the wrong place on a bus, […]

Fireflies

Told there would be a dance, I tried not to get too excited. The crowd is mostly white, and writers are pathologically tangled in their heads. Yet at the first sign of music, several white haired ladies are dancing all around like they’re at Woodstock. Then more and more folks. The DJ loves Stevie Wonder. […]

Deleted Scenes

I’m storytelling on Sunday as part of America, Now and Here. My yarn is about being abroad and mouthing off. Because my time is so limited, I offer a few subplots that will, regretfully, be omitted: When I was visiting London, I picked up this child. I mean, I chatted up this guy, and it […]