Category Archives: Family

Overture, Curtains, Lights!

By Richard | Published March 14, 2011

So, it’s show time. I spent the morning at the hospital ensuring that my informed consent is truly informed, and then I signed on the dotted line. If I pass the screening test in two weeks — and, just so you know, I’m really good at tests — I’ll officially participate in “an open label, [...]

Also posted in Housekeeping, Life | 10 Comments

The Caregiver’s Lament

By Richard | Published October 16, 2010

I am damaged goods. In 1993, I began a fight against chronic daily migraines. The bloody and brutal battle left me — well, messed up. Thirteen years later, broken and bowed, I started on the road to recovery, but it doesn’t take much to knock me down. Many wounds that I still carry are deep [...]

Also posted in Life, Writing | 6 Comments

Two Graces for Thanksgiving

By Richard | Published October 10, 2010

Thr first is an Ojibway blessing: Grandfather, Look at our brokenness. We know that in all creation Only the human family Has strayed from the Sacred Way. We know that we are the ones Who are divided. And we are the ones Who must come back together To walk in the Sacred Way. Grandfather, Sacred [...]

Also posted in Food & Wine, Life | Leave a comment

True Blood — The Artwork

By Richard | Published July 14, 2010

Recently, Aerin Bender-Stone was asking about my family and one of my nieces in particular because she currently appears in my Facebook profile picture. I am lucky. I have nine nieces and nephews, and I am immensely proud of each and every one of them. Until fairly recently, I suffered through a long illness and [...]

Also posted in Life | 5 Comments

Parsley and Oregano

By Richard | Published July 9, 2010

It really was the wrong thing to say. During one of our trips to the ENT Clinic, a nursing friend of my Mother’s asked me if she had been a good cook in my youth, perhaps knowing that I wrote about food and wine. “Solidly mediocre,” I answered truthfully, right in front of the woman [...]

Also posted in Food & Wine | 9 Comments

Wildcats

By Richard | Published June 6, 2010

She could lick her weight in wildcats. It was one of my mother’s favorite expressions, and it describes her nature completely. In the dozen years before she died, my mom was forced to grapple with the unwanted vagaries of life every single day, from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning. Pain was [...]

Also posted in Life | 6 Comments

Lies

By Richard | Published June 3, 2010

I lie. Not only as a writer, but as I make my way in the world. Not frequently, but on occasion. I’m not talking about little white lies, the subtle bending of truth that we all use to avoid long explanations or prevent little hurts. Sometimes, I create big lies. Lies wide enough to sail [...]

Also posted in Life | 5 Comments

My Father’s Eyes

By Richard | Published May 8, 2010

I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was a teenager, watching my father take a proud-looking buck from the roof of his car. “How could you kill such a lovely animal,” I asked, my voice taking on my know-it-all edge, I’m sure. But the old man didn’t lose a beat. “I’ve had to [...]

Also posted in Life | 14 Comments

Ghettosocks

By Richard | Published April 24, 2010

My nephew, Jason Levangie, went to school at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, and now directs music videos and short films. Here’s his latest for Ghettosocks.

Also posted in Entertainment | 1 Comment