(As seen on TV – ABC Network) The Sun looks down upon us and, embarrassed by the sorry state of humanity, it hides behind the Moon. He thought, “Let’s show these insignificant beings what living in complete darkness feels like, even if just for four to five minutes.” The path of total darkness(Arizona was 65%,…… Continue reading Eclipse 2024
Noi în anul 2000
Astăzi, ședință cu echipa … vorbeam de una-alta, eu zic ceva de 11 Septemvrie, Cezărică zice și el ceva de problema Y2k, noi toți, “hă hă, ce vremuri de mult trecute”, și colega Ana, ca o floare: “a trebuit să google y2k, habar n-aveam ce era”. Am leșinat toți. “Cuuum, nu știi?” “Păi aveam 2…… Continue reading Noi în anul 2000
The Endless Emptiness
At the end of March, in 2024, we geared up to mark the second Easter without Cosmin. This year, we accepted our relatives’ invitation and found ourselves in a house bustling with two toddlers, two very pregnant mothers, one young girl in her late teens, and another young girl, navigating her journey through life. Never…… Continue reading The Endless Emptiness
The Unexpected Effect of Oprah Generosity
“You’ll get my car! And you’ll GET my car! And YOU’LL GET MY CAR!” Irina declared three weeks ago, after her favorite nephew (TFN, if you’re keeping score at home) had casually asked to borrow it – for just five days. The other favorite nephew—let’s call him TOFN—races his Beemer every other weekend at the…… Continue reading The Unexpected Effect of Oprah Generosity
Love and Longing – Memorial Saturday. Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste.
March 9th, 2024 Instead of Introduction Detailed Glossary of Terms and Customs Coliva (koliva)a dish based on boiled wheat that is used liturgically in the Eastern Orthodox Church for commemorations of the dead. Coliva is blessed during funerals, as well as during the memorial service that is performed at various intervals after a person’s death…… Continue reading Love and Longing – Memorial Saturday. Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste.
Dragoste și Dor – Moșii de Iarnă – Martie 9, ’24
Iar e preotul pus pe Maxi Slujbă, versiunea lungă, de sărbători. De la 9 la 11:30, cel puțin, parcă e plătit la cuvânt. Încep s-o invidiez pe doamna blondă care vine la 10 jumătate, cu alai și toate cele. Strică tot aranjamentul de pe masă, își pierde șirul părintele, mai apare încă o masă pentru…… Continue reading Dragoste și Dor – Moșii de Iarnă – Martie 9, ’24
Operation: Scorpion
Tempe, Arizona, 2016 My internet research revealed a surprising fact (although, let’s be honest, the internet isn’t always flawless). Apparently, in a household with both cats and chickens you shouldn’t have any scorpions. Now, I understand that knowledge is power, but in this case, my feathered and feline friends seemed blissfully unaware of their scorpion-slaying…… Continue reading Operation: Scorpion
My Doctor
In the doctor’s office. Doctor: “Eat well? Drink well?” Stefan: “Yes, I do. Too well.” D: “You’re fat. Do you exercise?” S: “I walk my dogs.” D: “Not enough. Do more.” …and that was it…
The Bathor Case
When Thatch stretches out, he’s like six feet long … Uncle Tom doesn’t need an alarm or doorbell with Thatch around. A bomb could go off next to him, and he wouldn’t bat an eye. He sleeps like a rock throughout the fireworks, but if a butterfly flits by a couple of blocks away, he’s all ears.
Cazul “Clanul Bathor”
Din ciclul “Nuvele de doi bani” Introducere Era un sfârșit de Februarie blând, când se certau Iarna cu Primăvara, cine pleacă, cine vine. Pleca iarna, venea repede primăvara, dădea colțul ierbii, apărea un ghiocel, se întorcea iarna, îngheța tot. Oamenii erau îmbrăcați cu orice între mânecă scurtă și cojoc. Râdeau unii de alții, “uite-l și…… Continue reading Cazul “Clanul Bathor”
Dana Point (2020)
My Baloo was absolutely stoked with the grassy yard, thick and green, with shade and folks to bark at and let them know that Baloo Of Arizona had arrived … surrounded by a high fence where we’d hang out in the evening and let the dogs play until they fully exhausted themselves …
The Twenty-Ninth Anniversary
As the Americans would put it, it was all about beach hopping! This meant cruising from one beach to another, from city to city, non-stop, for three whole days, just the way My Lady loves it. We set off at the crack of dawn and rolled in at night, making every minute count.
The Christmas Chronicles
Introduction or Conclusion The holiday season is in full swing, and everyone seems to be in a festive mood. But for me, it’s a time of mixed emotions. I’m still grieving the loss of my child, and the thought of celebrating feels really wrong. But my friends and family insisted that I get out and…… Continue reading The Christmas Chronicles
Povești de Crăciun
Crăciun minus două săptămâni Au început sa sosească invitațiile….silly season s-a deschis cu o sâmbătă la Bobel & Co. Am mâncat la greu Am gustat Baloș Mici și am luptat cu mult niște Rom de 15 ani, plus niște aperitive de concurs. Anul trecut rubedeniile și pretinii au înțeles, deși cu greu că, după ce…… Continue reading Povești de Crăciun
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Hulubești
My Family’s Resting Place I left the post about Hulubești for last because it was the hardest one for me to write. The most important reason I came to Romania was to bring the temporary cross number one to Hulubești, which was on Cosmin’s grave here in Arizona. I was a man on a mission.…… Continue reading The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Hulubești
The Great Therapeutic Trip of ’23 – Bucharest
I was coming from Cișmigiu Gardens and taking the bus to Obor. …I was very tired. I spent my high school years exploring the Gardens’ alleys and riding the boats. Now, I was aimlessly roaming the same alleys, trying to find some of the old times’ charm. I had left through the back of the park, through Sărindar Street, passing by Capșa Restaurant, The Army Performing Arts Center, and the University of Bucharest. … at Michael’s Tail, I managed to get on the bus.
Sheep’s Ass Cheese
We were getting ready to leave for our Danube Delta adventure and I volunteered to do some shopping at the Obor Market. I was feeling super guilty that two whole days had passed (since I landed in Romania) and I still hadn’t checked out the Market. “Yo, Fane,” says Mișu, “buy vegetables and some sheep’s…… Continue reading Sheep’s Ass Cheese
Marea Excursie Terapeutică din 2023 – Hulubești
Mormântul Familiei de la Hulubești Am lăsat postul cu Hulubești-ul la urmă pentru că mi-a fost cel mai greu să-l scriu. …. Motivul cel mai important pentru care am venit in România a fost să duc la Hulubești crucea temporară numărul unu, care a fost la Cosmin pe mormânt. Am fost în misiune. În primele…… Continue reading Marea Excursie Terapeutică din 2023 – Hulubești
Marea Excursie Terapeutică din 2023 – București
Suc de mere proaspăt! L-am întrebat pe vânzător: “Care are mai puțin zahăr și este o alegere bună pentru diabetici?” S-a uitat la mine ca și cum nu ar fi înțeles întrebarea, a avut un scurt moment de derută, apoi a arătat spre o sticlă și a spus: “Asta!” Nu a putut să explice de ce, dar aceasta a fost alegerea lui. A doua zi, am trecut pe acolo și lângă suc era o etichetă nouă: “Suc de mere pentru diabetici! Foarte puțin zahăr!”
Marea Excursie Terapeutică din 2023 – Germania
Aachen Călătoria în Germania a fost cu familia și despre familie. Nu îi văzusem pe cei dragi de o veșnicie, așa că era cazul să o fac și să mă duc până în Aachen! Este foarte interesant cum, chiar dacă nu ne vedem ani de zile, continuăm conversația ca și cum ne-am fi despărțit ieri.…… Continue reading Marea Excursie Terapeutică din 2023 – Germania
Nea Fane - Un Biet Român Pripășit în America / A Hapless Romanian Stuck in The US 