RIP Mark Volman, co-founder of the Turtles. I got to know Mark a little because my bro-in-law, bassist Donnie Kisselbach, toured with them for a while. Mark was the spirit of the group, a gentle, smart man who had a life as a music educator even as he was still doing the "Happy Together" tours.

During visit to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today, grandsons Zev and Asa pretend to be interested in the display that includes the 2005 media award winner. The other person in the display photo is a man who coached Syracuse hoops for 2,713 years.

Happy Father's Day to all. If I had any success at all at this gig, it's because these three made it fun and easy--Jamie, Donna and Chris.

This appeared on the marquee of the movie theater of Stone Harbor, NJ last weekend. Yes, wife Donna and I hit the half-century mark. How she did it I do now know.

I’ve lived 15 minutes from Nazareth Pa. for 50 years and never took the Martin Guitar factory tour until today. Consider making the trip. Tour is free. Guitar aficionado Jeff Daniels toured today, which is neither here nor there.

Florida golf reunion with two of Sports Illustrated’s greatest fellow writers. Tim Layden in center, Mike Farber on right. Collectively, we’re slightly older than the tree in the background.

The Tucson Festival of Books provided panelists with this large photo as a promotion tool, so I'll send it out. (Hoping it doesn't keep people away.) Looking forward to one panel on Saturday and two on Sunday. Stop by if you're anywhere in the Continental U.S. Okay, if you're in Tucson. Thanks.

First NBA game for grandson Asa. Not shown $12 foam finger

New record--Greatest Age Gap Between Subject and Myself. Did a piece for Sports Illustrated on Nicky Cassano, at whose humorous sports videos I've been busting a gut. Nicky and I go 75-25, which sounds like your ground meat breakdown. Hope you enjoy. The young man is hilarious. bit.ly/3Xd27Uq

After their interview-stroll through the Border, Homeland czar Kristi Noem and Fox News's Lawrence Jones absolutely crushed team calf roping.

Most people would've offered up gift suggestions when there was, you know, enough time to buy them. Hey, I forgot. Anyway, here are two hoops books that I consider classics, one written by my buddy and ex-SI colleague Rick Telander, the other by an interesting dude I never met, the late David Wolf.

Staying with fam in Vermont for holidays and wanted to post Vermontish photo. Here tis: hoops book by buddy and Cornwall resident Alexander Wolff backed by granola and cider donuts. (Falling snow implied.)

Elfie has hung, I was long told, on my late mother’s Christmas tree as far back as the 1920s. Ergo, he’s been a fixture on our tree forever. However, lately he’s begun to look a little sinister. I’m thinking of ending a tradition but worry about the ramifications of Elf Power.

Lunched with The Gul before last night’s gig in my hometown of Bethlehem. Good Lord did he kill his bit about Jesus “workshopping” the Sermon on the Mount. But @garygulman.bsky.social kills everything.

Welcome to a treasured holuday—National Turkey Soup Day.