Author Archives: dmtgat

I wrote the following on July 21, 2021 before taking Amtrak to Chicago and Metra to Grayslake.  It was intended to be a bit of closure on recent happenings in my life, but you will soon find out, it was nothing more than light showers before a health hurricane became a part of our newContinue reading “Before the Storm”

She has been “gone” for 52 years but remains vivid in my memory as one of the most extraordinary people to be part of the framework of my life.  I feel so sad that she missed the best part of my life:  marriage to Diane, our kids, rewarding career, and all the rest that comesContinue reading “MOM”

On February 20, 2021, I celebrated my 75th birthday. Goodness, I’m now in the 8th decade of my life in spite of a nasty bout of base of tongue cancer in 2010, a complete shoulder replacement in 2015, and a serious three-week case of Covid-19 in November 2020. I’m the lucky one in my birthContinue reading “I Made It!”

Only a couple of months have passed since I took fingers to keys but it seems like years. There has been post-election drama, the hard to comprehend worsening of COVID deaths and destruction, the muddled vaccine roll out (but let’s be grateful, it is rolling out), the unbelievable chaos at our capitol by anarchists, and a presidential inauguration for starters. As if that is not staggering enough, and clearly it is, add in the celebration of Christmas, one of our holiest days of the year.

My last blog entry was October 5th which now seems like years ago. We are all very tired from what Covid has done to our families and us. In all my recent blog entries, I stressed the need to follow the 3 W’s of Covid-19 precautions: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch yourContinue reading “We Got IT!”

Diane and I had a difficult night October 5, 2020, absorbing what we witnessed on TV as events unfolded in real time regarding the President’s response after contracting Covid-19. Then this morning, I received an email from former Purdue University Alumni Director, Larry Preo, which included the following editorial in the Washington Post. Ken BeckleyContinue reading “Wake-Up America”

Today I am going to be a “Ramblin’ Man.” It has been five weeks since I last sat down at this keyboard and must admit I never know for sure what will emanate from my fingers so here goes. The date is August 24, 2020, and five local tv interviews have now been completed inContinue reading “Ground Hog Day and It Just Won’t Go Away”

I woke up this morning like I do all mornings and that is a good thing. Today was different. Diane gave me a nudge and asked how I was feeling? I instinctively said “Fine” but then she pressed the issue saying she was waking up with a sense of ennui and wondered if I wasContinue reading “Where Have You Gone, Ozzie and Harriet?”

In the November 19, 2001, issue of Newsweek, author Anna Quindlen wrote, “September 10, 2001 was the last everyday morning of the rest of our lives.” In those 12 words, Quindlen spoke volumes about the world in which we now live. As a member of the 4th quarter congregation, my memory takes me back toContinue reading “It’s Not Mayberry, It’s Macomb”