“I Shall Be Released” Bob Dylan They say ev’rything can be replaced Yet ev’ry distance is not near So I remember ev’ry face Of ev’ry man who put me here I see my light come shining From the west unto the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released. They say ev’ry man needs protection They say ev’ry man must fall Yet I swear I see my reflection Some place so high above this wall. I see my light come shining From the west unto the east Any day now, any day now I shall be … Continue reading →

One went, one came. Another will come. The new guards will take turns. It’s different. What was, since the end of February, is now over. After Cynthia said “goodbye,” dressed in her fancy blouse, Capris and huge peep-toed heels, dragging her seventy-five+ pound bags after her, my mother shed a tear and sang  “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”  The deal was done. Peaches from The Bronx had taken Cynthia’s place and would be living in.  Peaches looked childlike and was shivering in fear at the newness.  Sunday, she commuted on the Q44 bus from The Bronx at 9:00 a.m.  … Continue reading →

What keeps us in the same place? Is it comfort? Fear? Complacency? Habit? Click to play >> [ti_audio media=”13661″] (A track from the Flushing House Band CD recorded by members of the Flushing House Community, the senior residence; How charming is this? singing; Susan Guerra, Tom Cherkin) My mother moved to Florida in the 1980’s when her doctor advised her to “stay out of the cold;” she was plagued by respiratory issues, and allergies. And so she and my dad packed it in and left New York City. She grew roots in the sandy Florida soil and stayed. She missed … Continue reading →