After the Fireworks: Checking In (Again)

I've been working on a couple of stories the last week or so. They should find a place here before the month's end. They include some highlights of the past weekend. On the whole, I had a pretty good Fourth, really. The best ever. But I must be getting older. (Huh???) The weekend took its toll on me. I'm tired, and find myself wanting to crawl into bed with Chopin's Nocturnes playing in the background.

In the meantime, here's a story dear to my heart: the rites of passage of young Italian-American men in New Jersey. It seems I can get away with calling them "guidos" after all. For the right reason. (Father Peter, if you're reading this, this one is dedicated to you.)

For the rest, stay tuned...