In 1969, John Rendall and Ace Berg rescued a lion from a cramped cage in Harrods Department Store, where it was offered for sale. Christian the lion soon grew too big for their small apartment and they reintroduced him to Africa. A year later they wanted to visit their former pet in his natural habitat, … Read more
I rolled into Key West on Friday evening, dumped my bag, and strolled down Duval Street to see what manner of craziness was afoot. Almost immediately I spotted a portly, white-bearded gentleman who looked for all the world like Ernest Hemingway, returned from the grave. I continued a bit further down the street, only to … Read more
Hurricane season is upon us and the media is all over it. Having lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and Sarasota, I try to be particularly aware of the weather from July 1st through November 1st. Each year, as hurricane season approaches, I spend more time watching … Read more
Barack Obama delivered a major speech on national security and the war in Iraq yesterday. In it, he laid out his strategy for using all of the elements of American power to keep us safe, prosperous, and free. I have heard some people question Obama’s experience. They say they do not know where he stands … Read more
I finally made it back to Sarasota last Friday evening. As I exited the highway and drove west toward the downtown, I had the eeriest feeling. Somehow, this doesn’t feel like home anymore. I have been gone for ten weeks, but I can’t imagine that is the reason; I left for seven months when I … Read more
