Leaving politics aside, my takeaway question from the World Cup - and the United States’ team’s exit - is whether the fever will last?Personally, I thought my interest would continue at full throttle, yet I didn’t follow Tuesday’s games closely. I certainly penciled in watching the finals, but an opportunity came up on that day and I didn’t find myself dismissing it to miss the final game.I wonder whether my attitude is a microcosm for our national reaction. Will the fever endure? 

Your body may fail, or betray you...but your family aand your true friends never do!Keep the faith, and carry on!

Your body may fail, or betray you...but your family and your true friends never do!Keep the faith, and carry on!

There is something about visiting my favorite beach at the very start of summer that instantly slows everything down. The season still feels fresh.  The sand is warm (okay, in this picture it is rocky too but let’s keep that one to ourselves) but not yet crowded, and the water has that quiet, sparkling calm that makes you want to stay all day. Beautiful sailboats are anchored just a bit offshore to add to the peaceful calm.Nice, right? OK, maybe next week when the heat wave burns off!

I am thinking a lot about aging today. People always say that age brings wisdom, but I'm still standing in the office supply room wondering why I came in there in the first place. Maybe wisdom isn't knowing all the answers—maybe it's finally realizing you don't have to pretend you do.  Of course, with age also comes the ability to misplace your glasses while they're sitting on top of your head (at least once a week), so it's a bit of a trade-off. Do you think getting older really makes us wiser, or just better at laughing at ourselves?

Concert going started in earnest last week.  Marisa and her dad took in The Doobie Brothers and (Carlos) Santana at Jones Beach last Thursday.  This great double -bill was my second concert of the week; Sunday Shelly and I enjoyed a special performance by The Bodega Tall Boys at Port Washington’s North Hempstead Town Beach; the boys feature Friday’s blogger’s son, Alex with grandson Shawn sitting in on lead guitar on two tunes.

Today, we celebrate America turning 250 years old. That is not just a milestone, it's a reminder that this country began as a bold and dangerous experiment, born out of resistance to a king’s oppression and the belief that people should not be ruled without representation, dignity, or consent. The founding generation did not simply complain about tyranny. They took a stand against it, knowing full well that the cost could be their fortunes, their freedom, and their lives.

Even if you are not a sports fan, I bet you are aware of the World Cup, which is currently being held in the continental Americas.  A prime example is my wife Joanne who has caught World Cup fever.  How could one help it?  It is everywhere and all consuming, around the clock, eg, on FOX television.