Monthly Archives: September 2014

From 1946 to 1950, my family lived in an apartment on the third floor of Flora Cramer’s house on Main Street in Morrisville, N.Y. The house was reportedly the first frame house built in Morrisville, whatever that means, and the … Continue reading →

Grandma Patience was real, and she really had a daughter named Desire. She also showed her droll wit (and spelling flexibility) in naming her other children: Wata Jencks Veltman, Sally Jencks Hogeboom, Hannah Jencks French, James Jencks Jr, Elmore Jenks, … Continue reading →

[Reprinted from Senior Correspondent.] By Philip E. Jenks “War,” said Martha Gellhorn, “happens to people, one by one. That is really all I have to say.” In two sentences, Gellhorn captured the essence of war reporting. No matter how graphic … Continue reading →

Millions have their memories. As President Obama escalates the newest war in the Persian Gulf, the question is whether remembering September 11, 2001 eases the pain and makes sense out of all that has happened since. Martha and I had just settled … Continue reading →