SO FAR TOM, IT'S BEEN GOOD

Author Thomas Wolfe memorialized the words, "You Can't Go Home Again." when he entitled his book as such.

Like most folks who are or were avid readers, the line has stuck with me. I think of it often as I attempt to renew great memories of my hometown of Pittsburgh.

None of them included the filming of a Batman movie that has ensnarled traffic in Oakland as well as downtown ("don-ton" to the residents),thus discouraging my visits to some old haunts and favorite museums.

Despite this, my return with wife Phyl, and Bella, the tiny Chihuahua, has not confirmed Wolfe's premise. This visit has been a delight.

Wolfe's novel was more plot focused about his character George Webber, a struggling new author. In the book Webber, after returning to his hometown, Libya Hill, wrote a distorted version of same,and prompted the irate reactions of the townfolks.

The title Wolfe chose has been quoted, misquoted, and misinterpreted for 70 years.

My hometown return experience has been good.

That is except for the loss of good friends who have passed on: Jim Caryl, Marty Zillis,Tom Hohan, Bill O'Connor and a long list of other friends and acquaintances.

Some, while still here, are suffering from the ravages of old age.

But, for any septugenarian, that's the norm - not the exception.

Friend and fellow blogger Harry has written of this same experience in both New York and Florida.

Despite the bored expressions on the faces of today's residents, I continued to inquire about old friends and places as I attempted to recall my memories and relate my stories. I still think of them as fascinating. Most don't, and that's okay.

As a former resident of Pittsburgh for 50 years one is quickly amazed at the changes that have taken place. However, none of these changes have anything to do with the one constant; the friendliness of the people we meet each day.

I do regret the absence of bar/restaurants that have closed such as Donahues, Martinis, The Castle Inn, Birdies, Hohans, Joe and Jenny's, The Ranch, etc. But, if truth be told, many had closed down even while Pittsburgh was still my hometown.

Still open are the tried and true places like The Esta Esta and The Wooden Nickel. What is missing is the laughter of my friends with whom I visited these still comfortable haunts.

Despite that loss of old friends and places, making new friends and listening to what is still some of the best jazz being played at restaurants like Morgans in Penn Hills, has confirmed it was a good decision to return home.

"So, there", TOM!