Gratitude Avalanche

Girl Selling an Apple to a Marine on a Train. Seoul. 1954. Photo by Rod Seiler.* Buried in Gifts At my physical therapy appointment, I chatted with Jun, a young man who works there, as he supervised my execution of a series of back-strengthening exercises. “Where are you from, Jun?” “Korea.” “My dad was there.” […]


Take Me for Granted

Rich, me, and a Nameless Turkey. Thanksgiving, 2007. The Thanksgiving House“We’re thinking of bringing the kids down with three-day passes to Disneyland for Monday through Wednesday,” my brother Tim said, “That is…if you’re doing Thanksgiving again this year.” “Of course we are! We look forward to having everyone here.” Tomorrow we celebrate our fifth Thanksgiving […]


Take Me for Granted

Rich, me, and a Nameless Turkey. Thanksgiving, 2007. The Thanksgiving House“We’re thinking of bringing the kids down with three-day passes to Disneyland for Monday through Wednesday,” my brother Tim said, “That is…if you’re doing Thanksgiving again this year.” “Of course we are! We look forward to having everyone here.” Tomorrow we celebrate our fifth Thanksgiving […]


An Orange County Autumn

Fire Station, Trabuco Canyon. November, 2011. Oh Yes We Do! Every fall, a litany arises from transplants to Southern California: “There is no autumn here!”  Pundits reply that we have two seasons: Green and brown. But I’m here to tell you that fall does come to Southern California.  Friday nights at high schools, Saturdays at universities, […]


An Orange County Autumn

Fire Station, Trabuco Canyon. November, 2011. Oh Yes We Do! Every fall, a litany arises from transplants to Southern California: “There is no autumn here!”  Pundits reply that we have two seasons: Green and brown. But I’m here to tell you that fall does come to Southern California.  Friday nights at high schools, Saturdays at universities, […]