What is it about the ocean and the waves on the beach that speaks so clearly about the relentless march of time, and how our lives are little more than momentary footprints in the sand? We are here for only a moment, until the waves, arriving with the steady beat of a metronome, wash away our presence and return the sand to its natural state. As if we were never there at all. And yet, we were, if only for a moment. The snow is piling up outside my window here in Central New Y

This past week, the last of 2025, found me coming back to a familiar set of images. Once again, twenty-foot waves are pounding the eastern shores of Lake Ontario. Gray skies, a staple here in Central New York, and wind howling with gusts exceeding 60 mph. Water smashing into the rock and concrete of the Oswego Harbor Lighthouse with zero interest in whatever is standing in its way. And like it always does this time of year, my mind goes to Gordon Lightfoot and his haunting so

I have always believed that life gives us little nudges when we need them. Sometimes they show up as a gentle whisper in the breeze as I walk Rigby in the park. And sometimes it's a mishap so ridiculous you can’t help but laugh. Like showing up for pickleball league last night, pulling off my sweatpants, only to realize I forgot to put on my shorts. Lately, as I’ve been working through the first full edit of my retirement book, I’ve realized that most of the wisdom I have col

The calendar has turned to fall here in Central New York, and that means only one thing. Pasta. Well, two things. Pasta and friendship....

Yesterday morning, I turned on the radio and listened to my funeral. Not really a funeral, of course. It was a retirement announcement....

I remember visiting my mother in her final years and thinking that her world was shrinking. My father, her husband and lifetime companion...

It’s been a little quiet around here at The Sunny Side of 57 . Seven months since my last post (but who's counting). And no, I haven’t...

Earlier this past winter, I found myself on a planned four-hour layover at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. As I casually walked...

Imagine that you are a professional baseball pitcher. You have spent your entire career pitching right-handed. Your dream has always been...

In the past two months this summer (July and August) there have been two lottery jackpots each eclipsing $1B in pre-tax payout. The...

For years I have used the phrase “time is flying by” to describe my feelings about various activities. My kids growing up, heading to...

Everyone loves recognition. Whether it is a simple pat on the back, acknowledgment for a job well done, a plaque for your office wall, or...

For many, life is viewed simply as a timeline where one phase follows logically, step after step. Graduate from high school and go to...