“The Hardest Decision I Ever Had to Make,” by Erwin A. Thompson, WWII Hero. Who to choose for a dangerous night patrol? And, how to get back alive?

Today is D-day. And, my parent’s 69th wedding anniversary if my mother had lived to see this day. My father’s story of “The Hardest Decision I Ever Had to Make,” did not happen on D-Day, but it seems right to post it today as we remember those dark days of World War II and the…

Emminent Domain as Land Cannabalism: Riehlife Op-Ed by Erwin A. Thompson

Sitting around talking one day…as we do…Pop recalled seeing two movies that reflected his views and experience with the govermental policy of Emminent Domain. He could recall the gist of each, but not the specifics. After some extensive Google research I found them: “Wild River,” and “Fire on the Mountain.” You’lll see the reviews of…

Private preview: the party room & lounge at Coco Louco Brasil

Coco Louco Brasil 512 North Euclid St. Louis 63108, in the Central West End. For reservations or questions Call (314) 367-1600 www.cocoloucobrasil.com For previous post about Coco Louco Brasil’s first anniversary party in 2010. My neighbor Craig Meyers played the laments of the “Choro Guys” led by Moacyr Marchini. _______________ My long time friend Stephanie…

Pop, at 95, Makes the Scene: Our biggest night of the social season.

Last night Pop and I made the scene at two premiere Alton social events of the Spring Season. We field-tested the new rig inherited from my sister-in-law Patty’s mother, who passed away last winter. It’s a sort of combo walker/seat, and has a little pouch to easily take along his portable oxygen. We found it…

“We’re living like plutocrats,” by Erwin A. Thompson

Noun 1. plutocrat – someone who exercises power by virtue of wealth have, rich person, wealthy person – a person who possesses great material wealth. (from Free online dictionary) Our family is made up of just folks. There’s a joke in our family that whenever we feel we’ve stumbled into some unexpected wonderful situation that…

“Tunahaki” (film festival winner) shows 200 ways good intentions lead to bad results.

POSTSCRIPT at the beginning. Please read Grace Mkombozi’s comment below and my response. Grace shows us that we cannot know the truth–especially looking in from the outside. Even in documentaries what is documented can be very different than what we see on the screen. I have done enough community development work in the United States…

“Music, the International Language,” by my father Erwin A. Thompson. Stories from Botwana, Ghana, Brazil, and the South Sea Islands

Make sure to read Part 1 of Pop’s International Music stories! This set of stories written by my father Erwin A. Thompson is part of the ongoing Riehlife series “Mondays with Pop.” At 95, he continues to be a masterful storyteller who loves history, music, and culture. He was a reluctant traveler compared to my…

“Music, the International Language”–Stories by my father Erwin A. Thompson

This set of stories written by my father Erwin A. Thompson is part of the ongoing Riehlife series “Mondays with Pop.” At 95, he continues to be a masterful storyteller who loves history, music, and culture. He was a reluctant traveler compared to my mother (Ruth Thompson). But, once launched, he engaged with the people…

Our history in song: “The Mississippi Flood,” by Vernon Dalhart, 1927

Read related posts on Mississippi Floods written by Erwin A. Thompson. In this season of floods and tornadoes, our hearts go out to those who have suffered such terrible damages and even lost their lives. At Evergreen Heights we are safe, but all anxiously watch as the waters of the Mississippi crest this weekend. My…

Anais Nin book inscribed by Rupert Pole returned to owner after decades.

This is the story of the power of connection. Perhaps coincidences are are incidents that coincide. Shelly Raber wrote to ask if I could connect her to Maryanne Rafael. She had a book titled “Linotte: The Early Diary Diary of Anais Nin 1914-1920”. There was an inscription written in red marker that read: “For Maryanne,…