In the past year, I've been working on a collection of songs I'm calling "Time Won't Wait." They're a mix of poems that I've adapted and songs written as songs. The narrative thread that runs through the collection is the passage of time, from childhood to adulthood. It's about seeking moments that make time slow down in a busy, frenetic world, about how time changes your life perspective, and about how time takes its toll on Cleveland neighborhoods.

I'll be performing these songs, as well as a few classic covers, with some fabulously talented musicians -- Jen O'Leary on vocals, Aidan Plank on bass and Dan Bruce on guitar with special guest Ariel Karas on violin -- on Sunday, October 13th at 8 pm at the Happy Dog (W. 58th and Detroit Ave.). The cover is $5 and thanks to Brian Straw we'll be recording the gig. Afterwards, I'll put some songs on the site. Come be part of history! Ha, ha.

In the past few years, I have to admit that I've wrestled with my own interest in songwriting and music ... How does it fit in with my interest in writing? Can I be both a singer-songwriter and a poet/journalist/nonfiction writer at once? It certainly helps to work with great musicians that help me get better ... I think that's the trick, in the end, to find a community.

Who are the Bad Garfunkels? In my mind, it's me, Jen and whoever else decides to show up, ha, ha. Several years ago, Jen and I were playing together and we missed a vocal or harmony or something, and she said, "Sorry, I was a bad Garfunkel there." It stuck, and in my head that's always been our group name.

My essay, "Out and Back Again," which was published in Cleveland Magazine's Aug. 2019 issue, is now featured online on their home page here.


It's a struggle for many parents to get their kids out of the house, off screens and into nature. Especially living in the city, where there are safety issues and there aren't as many green spaces.


Katherine and I have perfected our method: lying. When we go to the Cuyahoga Valley, we call it a trip. An adventure. A walk with ice cream at the end of it. Anything but a hike, no, not that!


I'm continually amazed at how beautiful and secluded the Valley can feel once you're in it, and so close to the city. Sure, the highway sounds linger, but it's 30 mins. away ...