Author Archives: leodenatale

Il Doppio Standard By Leo de Natale The epigram “Life is unfair” is usually attributed to Robert F. Kennedy, the most pugnacious of the three Kennedy boys. He had an intimidating personality and, because he was the scion of a ruthless, calculating father, he usually found himself beneficiary of a deep scoop of “fairness”- atContinue reading “Il Doppio Standard”

My, How Neighborhoods  Change By Leo de Natale In the winter of 1978 an infamously historic blizzard swept through New England and crippled the region, especially Boston, for weeks. The killer storm arrived swiftly and deposited nearly 30 inches of snow. Cars were stranded on highways. About 100 persons died and another 4,500 were injured.Continue reading “My, How Neighborhoods Change”

“Where Is Everbody Redux?” By Leo de Natale I was parked in downtown Boston on a beautiful May afternoon. My wife had an ophthalmology appointment. I drove to the office near the city’s Government Center. Our dog, Kaiser, an aging German Shepherd Dog, came along for the ride.        In the midst of this Covid-19Continue reading ““Where Is Everybody Redux?””

A Modest Proposal By Leo de Natale Albany, NY — Boisterous Gov. Andrew Cuomo, intrepid in his fight against the Covid-19 Plague, has just announced yet another ban. From May 4, 2020 forward, all males living in the state will be forced to eliminate facial hair – beards, mustaches, goatees and sideburns. “According to theContinue reading “A Modest proposal”

At The Deli Counter By Leo de Natale           There I was, waiting to order my half-pound of home cooked turkey and six slices of liverwurst – my normal fare for lunchtime sandwiches–  and there he was. The customer to my right had placed his gargantuan order: one pound of sliced ham, two pounds ofContinue reading “At The Deli Counter”

The Mechanics By Leo de Natale             I spent much of my life as an optometrist.  It’s one of those professions that is in the middling section of the health care food chain.  We serve a vital purpose in the wellbeing of society but it’s not a sexy occupation.  Dentistry, podiatry and chiropractic are alsoContinue reading “The Mechanics”

Hairy BastardsByLeo de Natale Perhaps the first time I realized there was a difference between being hairy and a hairy bastard occurred when I was age10. The local barbershop had hired a young new barber. He started cutting my hair –boy’s regular–and I noticed his incredibly hairy forearms. In particular, I observed that underneath hisContinue reading “Hairy Bastards”

Toilet Paper Wars, 2020 By Leo de Natale  2020 will be remembered as The Year of the Plague.  A mutated virus originating in China in late December, early January swiftly spread across Planet Earth.  The conceit of mankind, thinking we are impervious to worldwide disease and mass deaths, was brought to its knees. World economiesContinue reading “Toilet Paper Wars, 2020”

Choppers By Leo de Natale           “Okay, Mr. O’Brien, one more and we’re done,” said Dr. Jonathan Twine, a periodontist located in South Boston, a primarily Irish Roman Catholic enclave.  “This may hurt but I’ll have extracted the last tooth in your mouth.”           Twine had been practicing his profession for nearly 30 years.  O’Brien,Continue reading “Choppers”

Knee Deep In Adjectives By Leo de Natale           My name is Charles “Charlie” Woodson.  I am a soon-to-be retired high school English teacher.  My school is located in an affluent, tony  suburb west of Boston.  I’m actually looking forward to my retirement because I’m burnt out and my career as an educator is runningContinue reading “Knee Deep In Adjectives”