This is a story about two people who lived through the same kind of trauma. Same long nights, same weight in their chest, same question running through their minds: How did this fall apart so fast?

"Brown Eyed Handsome Man" is the B side of Chuck Berry's 1956 "Too Much Monkey Business" recording and is a paean to the great Brooklyn Dodger player Jackie Robinson (#42) who broke through, indeed changed the World.The song got me thinking about eye color and spawned the realization that, until recently, I did not look into someone's eyes. Rather, despite near normal hearing, I focused on the lips.Thus, only recently, have I noticed the mesmerizing beauty of blue eyes, eg, those of KonkLife Publisher Guy deBoer pictured. 

For the past thirty years or so, my assignment for Passover is to bring my signature charoset and marror for the Passover Seders.Charoset symbolizes the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to build in ancient Egypt. My not-so-secret recipe is simply apples, walnuts (or almonds for those allergic to walnuts) and sweet red wine. The blending and exact proportions are secret - even to me.The marror is pure horseradish - from the root - cut and shred by hand. It symbolizes the bitterness of slavery….and does a very good job in doing so.

Someone remarked to me recently that young people think “The Jetsons” was about life in the old days. Flying cars, food in a capsule, video phones! Who would have believed it!Technological advances have certainly put “change” into overdrive. And when it comes to change, some folks dig in their heels, while others jump in with both feet, eager to see what’s around the corner. For some, the fear of missing out works like rocket fuel; for others, it’s more like quicksand. 

The weather is changing, almost daily.  The result for me is a bad cold that is making me cranky.This particular cold is now reliable and predictable -- meaning it comes to visit with this change of season every year.  If I gave it a little forethought, I could probably keep it at bay.  But each year I forget and end up surprised by this visitor.And so, a short blog for me tonight.  I am going to take two advil and get into bed.Looking forward to better times next week! 

Traveling the world teaches you many things—sometimes the most surprising lessons happen in the bathroom. I was recently in Thailand. During a tour with a private tour guide, I excused myself to go to the public bathroom. When I was done, I was alarmed to see that there was no toilet paper in the stall. There was only a small water hose. Luckily, I happened to have a single tissue in my handbag. 

It certain circles in an out of Gotham, even on Zooms, folks asked why I wore my Gotham baseball cap; they often noticed my clothing failed to include any Mets gear.  No, it forecast no change in my fandom.  Just a promise kept — and realized last Thursday.

Seasons don’t just change around you; they expose you. They show whether you’re adaptable or rigid. Aware or reactive. Strategic or just busy.You already know which one you’ve been.The next season is coming whether you’re ready or not, and the only advantage you get is deciding to move with it...or not.