I Heard it Through the Grapevine

Children are naturally curious beings. Neil’s younger years were filled with discovery and “Show and No Tell” moments locked in memories.

All little boys and girls have their own favorite secret play space.  Little girls find theirs at home where a little floor area becomes a tea party with dolls and imagined gossip.

Little boys usually find their secret place outdoors in hidey spots known as forts, camps, tree houses and “boy caves”.  

Country boys have it easy as they have hay barns, open fields, wooded creeks and all sorts of cool places.  City boys have it tough as secret space is limited to vacant buildings, rooftops and derelict cars in vacant lots.

Neil was one of those “city boys” in search of his own secret place.  He had a big backyard to play in but nowhere to hide, no trees for tree forts, no sheds, and no “cover”. 

He searched all over his yard and then one day in mid-Summer he spotted the flourishing grapevines that created a growing green fence between his property and his neighbor’s yard.

 Investigating he parted the leafy vines hanging untrimmed to the ground and found “HIS SECRET PLACE”.  This was perfect!  He crawled in and patted down a bed of dried leaves.  He was now a happy boy.



Of course, he told no one about his hidey hole…..well, except for the little girl down the street who he enticed to venture into his lair. 

One thing  led to another and a curious kids “Show and No Tell” session of comparative anatomy ensued, with the young lady amazed by how that little thing would grow so big, and with rubbing like Aladdin’s Lamp another thing happened! 

With birds chirping and bees buzzing, carnal knowledge was passed to another generation.  And the gossip at the little girl’s tea parties with other neighborhood girls, meant that Neil had an Aladdin’s Summer in his Secret Place.

And even to this day women still remember approaching Neil saying “I heard it through the grapevine…..”

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Basketball Confessions

Being from an Irish Catholic family, Neil’s education began in Catholic schools, where from a young age he progressed rapidly as he was a quick learner, had a good memory and was one with good grades. 



The problem was that learned too fast and thus became easily bored with a repetitious curriculum of stale memorizing. This strict atmosphere stifled his restless spirit and opened the opportunities for humorous classroom rebellion.

The poor old Nuns and teachers could barely turn to the blackboard without Neil’s mimicking antics and causing classroom laughter. 

The teachers knew who the culprit was but catching him in the act was always difficult. Neil did get the cane on the hands occasionally, a seat in the corner facing the wall, banishing to the hall or told to report to the Principal, Father O’Railey, who actually became a lifelong friend because of repeat visits and frank religious conversations.

On one occasion Father O’Railey ran into Neil in the hall. “You again. What did you do this time?” he queried. “Don’t tell me.” “Can I go to the school yard and shoot some baskets?” asked Neil. “Go ahead but no more trouble.” the Father said.



This was the beginning of Neil’s welcome punishments.  He spent hours honing his basketball skills and raising the school’s athletic reputation in the State and in New England.  All this while his classmates peered out windows enviously waiting for recess.

On another visit to the Principal’s office Father O’Railey commented that he hadn’t seen Neil at Confession lately, maybe you need a little less basketball and a bit more soul searching and admission of your wrong doing actions.



Neil was quick to respond, “Father, in Bible studies you told me that God is omnipresent, omniscient, omni-this and omni-that.  HE sees all and knows all, so why do I have to confess what I do when HE already knows it ALL?”

Father O’Railey paused knowing that the innocence of youth had exposed the truth behind religious control dogma and policy and would open a can of worms in an ethics debate with a 9-year old kid, so he just said, “Good point. That is something that we will talk about sometime later.  Now go and shoot some hoops.” The Father obviously knew how to play “Dodge’em”.

“Thank you Father.” Neil chirped and commented, “You know the Bible says for us to do our best and that is what I do in class and on the court,” thus declaring the depth of a young boy’s understanding of life.

From an early age Neil formed such comprehension. And though he was never a devout follower, he did meet in his lifetime with two Popes and other religious leaders receiving their blessings. That alone is an accomplishment few ever attain.



Later in his career, Neil got into a high level religious debate concerning biblical knowledge with a Bible scholar. The debate was fierce with email challenges flying back and forth. Neil was definitely outclassed but he had a trick up his sleeve. 

Whenever Neil got stumped or needed help with Church policy or interpretations, Neil would ask his friend, Pope John Paul II, for advice. 

Little did his debating opponent or anyone else know that Neil was using the Ultimate Source to gain a definitive advantage but for the Irish “It’s only a fight if you WIN!”

And even Pope John Paul was impressed by Neil’s astute questioning. 

May God Bless.

Copyright © 2025, GROUP K, Ltd.