Author Archives: leodenatale

Taming A Smart TV By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci Last week our twelve-year-old flat screen television suddenly went into its death throes. Jerry Seinfeld’s face had vertical rows of moving green lines. So didn’t Kramer’s, Elaine’s and George’s. It added a bit of immediate humor but then got old. Pretending you’re stonedContinue reading “Taming A Smart TV”

A Park Bench ByLeo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci “Anna, I’ve been in full sloth mode this morning,” Josef Hraček says to his wife in a muted Eastern European accent. “I need to go to the Garden for some work.” It is a warm, beautiful day in mid-May. Josef grabs his 18”x24” Blick WhiteContinue reading “A Park Bench”

These Are Not Your Hawaiian Islands By Leo de Natale Ask most people over age 70 about their health and you’ll receive a laundry list of ailments: high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes mellitus (The Big Three), arthritis, joint replacements and cataract surgery. Most folks in this group will fall victim to at least one,Continue reading “These Are Not Your Hawaiian Islands”

Bully On The Branch By Leo de Natale Illustration by Vince Giovannucci         We used to feed birds during winter. The red metal  feeder was one of those spring-loaded jobs that prevented larger birds and squirrels from hogging the sunflower seeds.  Alas, we had a mouse infestation several years ago and discontinued the daily activity.Continue reading “Bully On The Branch”

A Trip Through The Abattoir By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci It was fall, 2021. Flashback two years ago. In May, 2019 Julie and Kyle Reston had flown first class for a dude ranch horseback riding vacation in sunny Arizona. What an experience. There’s a perceived pretentiousness with many who fly first classContinue reading “A Trip Through The Abattoir”

The Emperor’s Clothes, 2021 By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci The Emperor’s Clothes is an old fairy tale whose moral is people can be hoodwinked into believing there’s something there when there isn’t. Combine that myth with P. T. Barnum’s quip there’s a sucker born every minute and you have the Goldendoodle. TheContinue reading “The Emperor’s Clothes, 2021”

Invisible Man By Leo de Natale A grain of sand through the hourglass how quickly it falls A metaphor for those whose time rapidly accelerates Oh we were warned how one’s age becomes a freight train Out of control. Blink of an eye 40, the blink of an eye 50, the blink of an eyeContinue reading “Invisible Man”

If Franz Kafka Were An Optometrist By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci Kafkaesque: Czech-born German language writer Franz Kafka whose surreal fiction vividly expressed anxiety, alienation and powerlessness of the individual in the 20th century. The word Kafkaesque is often applied to bizarre and impersonal administrative situations where the individual feels powerless toContinue reading “If Franz Kafka Were An Optometrist”

Automobilus  Asisninus By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci Anyone driving a car these days knows how perilous it has become. Every time motorists fasten their seat belts and enter such death zones as Rte. 128 or the Massachusetts Turnpike, there’s always potential for mayhem. All drivers face the possibility of horrific accidents. PerhapsContinue reading “Automobilus Asisninus”

Skeeve By Leo de Natale Illustrations by Vince Giovannucci Skeeve is an Anglicized version of the derogatory Italian adjective, schivo . The word is defined as someone or something that is disgusting. Filthy–dirty. It can mean the condition of someone’s house or a person who is unhygienic and smells. It can be used for aContinue reading “Skeeve”