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“Know what's in that tablet, Mama? All my secret thoughts, how I feel, and what I think about...things stay on my mind, Mama; I can't forget anything. And it all gets bottled up in here, and sometimes I feel like a crazy man. I can't rest or sleep or anything till I just rush up here and write it down in that tablet.”

. . John-Boy Walton, The Homecoming

“...And if there is any purpose
To my life and to this rhyme,
It's to keep alive the old school
For a brief but blessed time...”

. . Rupert Holmes, "The Old School"

These are those things of mine, that, like John-Boy's secret thoughts, would not stay bottled up.
They are mostly personal memories; hope you enjoy. I will add new things occasionally, so please check back.

Essays

  The Magic House
There was always something about the place, even if no one else understood...
  The Joy of Growing Up Italian
There's nothing like fresh-grown tomatoes, family gatherings, and ethnic heritage...
  Providence
Didn't we know that when Petula Clark sang "Downtown" she could be only one place...
  A Gift of Wings
There's something a little miraculous about a budgerigar...
  Fair Day for Adventure
The globe on the signpost led to a whole new "World of Tomorrow"...
  Neighborhood Days
Where everyone said hi, kids were always safe, and you were pals with the neighborhood mutts...
  Memoirs of a Bookaholic      
"Behold there was paper and there was ink. And God made the book, and it was good..."
  Crazy About Color
Rainbows beckon in many a season, but fall was always the best...
  Time Machine...
Memories, Rhode Island style--do you remember these landmarks, events and people...
  "Sara"
The tree that almost didn't come home and how tinsel made her come alive...
  Friends of the Heart
He was gorgeous, grey-haired and came with candy; who cared if he shed...
  On The Road
Summer winds blow and suddenly the longing for endless highways is upon you...
  Always on Sunday
Remember Sunday? Dressing for Mass, a big meal, and the Sunday "ride"...
  A Taste of Rhode Island
Doughboys and Del's, coffee milk and coffee ice cream, and gravy, always "gravy"...
  Like Snow Business I Know
Snow memories and the Blizzard of '78
  Days of Del's and Lilacs
Winter turns into spring...
  Raised (Sorta) on Radio
A television child discovers the joy of the realm of sound...
  Where Were You?
November 22, 1963...
  Counterpane Memories
Chicken soup time: remember being sick and staying home with Mom...
  "Snow Day!"
Just waiting for Salty Brine to get past "Fosta-Glosta"...
  Cookie Dreams
Cookies at Christmas raise memories afresh...
  The Song of the Sea
Like a siren song, the ocean is always calling...

Memories

  Mom's Place
A web page for my mother...

  Dad's Place
A web page for my father...

 

MORE RHODE ISLAND:

Ray Testa's RI Website

Only in Little Rhody Facebook Page (state trivia)


  Send me an e-mail


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