West Side Stories

February 25. 2025: After a day or two of disorientation, it turns out that writing a blog post is good therapy. Significant events include getting bitten by a horse, and surviving an earthquake that no one else felt.

Today was Shabbat, and I failed to plan it out well.   Last night, I continued a pattern of staying awake too much. However, I did make an effort to habitualize improvements. Last night, I listened to an audio file to “Reprogram Me,” through hypnosis. Though I have come to bitterly eschew these personal development recordings, […]

Mark Kupperberg’s 55th Yahrzeit. We lost our favorite cousin 55 years ago. And then we never talked about it. We never talked about him. Why? This little collection of memories is not only about Mark, but also about us. About the time period, and what was going on with us in 1969.

This year is the 60th anniversary of my brother, Mickey’s, Bar Mitzvah, an event that brought dozens of family members to Forest Park, Illinois, where we all stayed, most of us, in the same house on the Navy base. Folks came by train and plane from Kansas City, the East Coast, and from other places as well. It was a raucus family gathering and celebration that is remembered for how the family provided all the food and entertainment activities. This year is also Mickey’s 10th Yahrzeit.