My Portfolio

2 boxes of powdered sugar 1/2 lb. butter 1/4 cup milk 2 t. vanilla Heat milk and butter (don't bring milk to a boil).  Add 1 lb. of sugar and beat in with a mixer.  Mix remaining 1 lb. of sugar in by hand.  Add vanilla.  Shape and dip. Dip:  Melt...

While I was attending law school at Catholic University, the university had a prominent music department with noted actors and actresses playing in the theater department's monthly public plays. During this same time, Ed McMann was a student. After my graduation from law school and marriage to Florence Ksrazek (who also...

Our family owned a second home in Georgetown from 1967 to 1977.  Shortly after taking possession, our daughter brought some college girl-friends to spend a weekend in the 1867 home.  Somehow, she lost her car and house keys so she had to have her brother bring keys so they could get back...

1 lb. ground beef 1/2 lb. ground sausage or pork 2 c. cooked rice 1 can tomato soup 1 small onion 1/2 t. salt 1 egg 1/2 lb. sauerkraut tomato juice 1/8 t. pepper 1/8 t. paprika Lg. head of cabbage Combine meat with pepper, paprika, egg, onion, tomato soup, rice...

At times the tyranny of the urgent bullies its way to the top of the daily to-do list extinguishing even the most rudimentary kindness. Indeed, in our desire to conquer our categorized index of mandatory responsibilities, we often leave little room for even the most basic regard for the people in...

"I don't like it here!" declares Dana*, her measured pacing keeping tempo with her anxious words, "I want to go back to the other place?" I'm confused. It's not unusual for Dana to feel restless toward the evening hours, but this is mid-afternoon. "What other place, Miss Dana? This is where...

Like water to the thirsty is laughter to my soul. Without it I would shrivel and die. Life is heavy; times are hard. A hearty laugh lifts the spirit, lightens the load, breathes courage to a fainting heart. It's been said by some unidentified jolly soul that, "Laughter is a tranquilizer...

"Help. Help! Help!!" Like fingernails on a chalkboard his cry unnerves me. It's unrelenting, insistent, demanding. It requires a response but I don't know what that response should be. From the desk where I answer phones and direct resident traffic I can see that he is warm and dry, as comfortable...

It's been said, "I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time." On Tuesday I will be 55. Today I learned how to smoke. It's not like I woke up this morning and thought, Hmmm what vice can I add to my...