"Smile, Rory." "Tommy, I'll Kill You."

My father left me a trove of photos that are essential story starters for my writing. For example, here's Rory on the stoop of 517 East 83rd Street our home in 1961. I know exactly where I was standing when Mom said, "Smile, Rory."

Outside the scene a house away bitching about my wool outfit.


Like Rory, I had on a stiff white shirt with a tight to the neck bow tie and a red wool sweater with wool pants (I told my mother she was nuts if she thought I'd wear dress wool shorts at 7 years old starting second grade). It was hot out, mid September and I was itching my legs like a spastic. I wanted out.

Dad looked at me, shook his head, and left me alone during his short photo shoot with Rory despite my mother yelling at my father.

"Bob, get him in there. Tommy, I'll kill you."

Rory

Check out my New York City memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." Available at Logos Book Store and online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

The book has 109 Amazon five star reviews out of 109 total reviews posted. We're pitching a perfect game. My old world echoes TV's "The Wonder Years" ~ just add taverns, subways and Checker cabs. 

You can also purchase my photography portfolio,"River to River - New York Scenes From a Bicycle" on Amazon.