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Ramona's Ramblings
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What it’s like to be a musician
I began playing guitar, singing and writing songs at age twelve, and from nineteen played, on and off, professionally. I still play music, making part of my living from those efforts. But the whole … more
The man who saved babies on the boardwalk
In the early 1900s, a strange attraction drew crowds to Coney Island. It wasn’t a new roller coaster or freak show – it was a row of glass boxes, lined up like aquariums, filled with … more
The Catherine Code: Life Hacks from the ’80s
Catherine, my friend from the ’80s, created “codes” to survive life back then. Do they still work today? Absolutely. Corporate Survival 101: • Feel like rage, … more
More of whatever from Catherine
If you read my last week’s column (and I know you did), then you may recall how I spoke of the influence my longtime friend, Catherine, has had on me. She has two college degrees, one in fine … more
Top tips from Catherine and whatever
When I moved to the top floor of a four-floor walk-up on West 85th Street in Manhattan, I met Catherine via a broken mirror that lay in front of her door. One day, when I heard her key turn, I ran to … more
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Telltale blooms
It began years ago, with the coming of April showers and of Lyn, a 74 year-old, hunched-over forget-me-knot of a woman who arrived unannounced to my starter garden with a chorus of crocus. Weeks … more
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Meet Mister Edgy - he sharpens tools
He fixed a boatload of mine, and so I asked him: 1. When did you get interested in sharpening tools? I started to get seriously interested as I approached retirement from my career as … more
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Head in the clouds?
According to historians at The Untold Past   “In the 1700s, teens were accused of being addicted to novels. Not alcohol. Not gambling. Reading… Across Europe, a strange fear … more
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The art of advocating for oneself
You may recall, from last week’s column, that I went to the ER with a strange donut-shaped rash around, of all places, the belly button. TMI? Read on.   At least, it’s in a … more
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Cellulitis Umbilicus sounds like fat, right?
I had to go to the ER for what I thought was a tick bite. Well, more than a tick bite, a rash from a bite. A round rash. A perfectly round rash encircling my belly button. Who checks for ticks in … more
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Rewriting Richie Bannon and me
My first crush, Richie Bannon, was slender as a Pogo-stick, with wavy butterscotch hair, and droopy blue eyes the size of shooter marbles. We were in the same fifth grade class, and I admired his … more
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Village voices
For years, the Village Voice was a prominent alternative weekly newspaper in the United States, known for its coverage of arts, culture, and investigative reporting. It was also a platform for social … more
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Lulu has an emergency
She’s sleek and beautiful, but like many of us, she’s got miles on her. Two-hundred sixty thousand to be exact. And now, vital parts are failing. At her last checkup, she was taken off … more
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Overheard
In Honesdale, according to the news, there have been more than one ICE raids at Elegante Restaurant and Pizzeria. I was there yesterday, when I overheard the following conversation between … more
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Trying to diet
I wrote a Haiku: Trying to diet Trying to diet harder Soft in the middle And then I chatted with AI: 1. Is it safe for humans to be frugivores? Being a frugivore – … more
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Telling the bees
According to a recent internet buzz, “the custom of ‘telling the bees’ is a charming and ancient tradition where beekeepers inform their bees about significant events in their … more
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Flower Moons, Moms, and daughters
Yesterday, May 12, the Flower Moon reached a peak illumination at 12:56pm EST. The Flower Moon gets its name from the abundance of flowers blooming during this time of year. The day before was … more
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The book of...
Whether it’s a song by The Magnetic Fields, a novel by Kelly Link or a film starring Jason Sudeikis, we’ve all heard of The Book of Love. Well, here’s ‘the book of court … more
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Now why did I walk in this room?
There was a time when I could go from one room in my own house to another, and actually remember why. Maybe I needed to make some tea, grab a newspaper, or look out a window. Now when I walk from … more
There’s always hope
“There is power in acceptance when it’s time,” says my young friend, Tina, who happens to be in hospice. Here is her story followed by quotes from people who have shared their own … more
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Bridges of a kind
According to Wikipedia, the song “London Bridge Is Falling Down” (also known as “My Fair Lady” or “London Bridge”) is a traditional English nursery rhyme and … more
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Ring them bells!
As a teenager I was keen on learning songs from musicals, anything from South Pacific to Cabaret, as well as tunes by Barbra Streisand, Carol King, Joan Baez and other singers. Classics with melodies … more
A testament to the small movie theater
My brother, Matt, bought tickets on a Tuesday so that he and I could attend the Zeppelin Movie on a Friday at a big AMC Theater in NYC. He purchased them at the theater with a credit card to avoid … more
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The things we wish we knew
Although I am now in remission, I will continue to report from my friends who are still journeying from cancer diagnosis to wellness. Here are some snippets ‘from the horse’s mouth’ … more
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The Adoption as told by my cat
I should have been more on top of my game the day Ramona cooed into my ear, “you’re a good boy, Bosco”, while briskly carrying me toward the driveway because all of a sudden, she … more
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