The Amazon forest, which produces about 20% of earth's oxygen, and is often referred to as "the planet's lungs" is ablaze.  There's been an 80% increase in deforestation so far this year compared to last year. Scientists have recorded more than 74,000 fires in Brazil this year. That's nearly double 2018's total of about 40,000 fires. In total, the blazes have created a layer of smoke estimated to be 1.2 million square miles wide. You can even see it from space.   On Monday, ...

Could it be that Summer is ebbing in these “dog days”?  If so, there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it. Could it be that Labor Day and the start of school (and traffic) are just around the corner?I try to put that out of my mind and tell myself to be in the moment as I dream of an Endless Summer.  Then I tell myself that Fall and beautiful colorful leaves approach, but in the end I am left with the thought that the days are sadly trickling  down. After writing a draft o...

We were in Falmouth for the 47th running of the prestigious Falmouth Road Race — a 7.1 mile run from the drawbridge in Woods Hole to the British Beer Company tavern in Falmouth Heights. Our Inn was right on the path of the race about a tenth of a mile from the finish. The porch gave us a perfect view. Watching the runners was inspirational and a bit nostalgic. Elite women and men and the mere mortals. Every one with a story, a purpose and a goal. There was even more insp...

It’s a thing. Really. We’re a biological mutation with the ability to sense change in temperature before any other human. It takes more medication to knock us out. We eat souls for breakfast and our witty demeanor can be unrelenting. The only weakness? The sun. Brothers and sisters to vampires, we can’t stand the bright fireball in the sky. It creates these spots called freckles, which can turn to blisters in a matter of minutes. Beware of the redheads with blue or green eye...

  Jane Jacobs posted a link to a New York Times piece this weekend entitled, “Finding Myself in My Mother’s Calendars.” Reading it made me think about my mother’s address book. After my parents passed and we were cleaning out their belongings, I took several small items one of which was my mom’s address book and one of the others was my father’s wallet.     Every so often, as I did this weekend, I’ll find myself just reading through my mother’s address book. In many ways, i...

We saw some really great shows so far this year. And it’s not impossible that by the time this month passes nothing can top 2019’s August. Already this month we saw Poco co-founder Jim Messina (perhaps better known for his work with Kenny Loggins) August 5 at current fave venue, My Father’s Place. This past Thursday at Radio City Music Hall, we enjoyed John Fogerty who led Creedence Clearwater Revival to a string of double-sided hit singles and earns kudos for his solo work. ...

Are you a runner? Happen to have any old running shoes in your closet? If so, you may be interested in Dave Russell's story. He just got $50,000 for these "funky, old shoes" that happened to be a pair of extremely rare prototype Nike running shoes from 1972 (only 10 were given out).   Dave said, "They were very exotic because the sole was completely different. It was made on a waffle iron. It was glued to the bottom of the shoe."   He said the shoes spent years in a box in h...

Last Sunday we ventured into the city for our annual visit to the beautiful Guggenheim (see picture). Summer in the city weekends present less hustle, bustle and traffic as we left early.  We zoomed into the city in about a half hour and quickly found a street spot before entering Wright’s beautiful creative edifice.  Who could resist a flurry of photos?We walked up the art festooned ramps, viewing Maplethorpe, Nevelelson, Agnes Martin, Rauschenberg and Bacon amongst other ar...

You’ve got to discard (recycle) things from time to time. Advice I've heard is that if you haven’t used it in a year or two, it’s time to clean it out. I have followed that advice as best I can...usually without regret. This year we’ll be in Falmouth Massachusetts on the weekend of the famous Falmouth Road Race. I’ve been to Falmouth many times, but not on the weekend of the race that I ran over forty years ago. I regret having cleaned out the T Shirt and medal that I...

We are either doing activity that builds our relationships or doing activity that erodes them. -Kristie Van Luween This week, an internal bank "community" meeting was dropped into my lap to manage.(well, that certainly is the way it felt.) A colleague asked me to "help him" manage a meeting. When the proverbial curtain went up, he was nowhere to be found. Needless to say, I was not happy. I grumbeled all the way to the office. The entire meeting was now my responsibility. Man...

  Imagine this. You are out for dinner at a local restaurant. You are seated by the hostess and engaged in conversation. Suddenly you notice a box on the table. Odd. It says “Open Me Please” on the top. Inside the box there is a message – “Place your cell phone in here while you enjoy your meal so that you can.” We have all been there – those times when either your technology or your friend deserves a seat at the table. Nice to see at least one restaurant trying to c...

  There are so many television shows that have been rebooted in the past few years. There was “Murphy Brown,” Will and Grace,” “Full House,” “Twin Peaks” and “Roseanne.” Now, even “Beverly Hills 90210,” has been rebooted.     I was a fan of most of the shows while they were in their peak. And I have enjoyed some of the reboots such as “Will and Grace.” I have found most of the others, however, somehow lacking in that originality that once made them great television.   ...

Two Sunday blogs ago I opted to focus on three reasons to consider still watching a then failing Mets team. I asked if my team might get hot. It did! It is.  Who'd thunk it?   Through last night 15 Ws out of 16 games, including two comeback wins against the Nationals this weekend.   As mentioned in that previous blow we took in the game Wednesday: Another series sweep.   We attend again this afternoon.   I purchased those tickets last Saturday. deGrom pitches.   1/2 game out ...

I've always been extremely tolerant and accepting of other people. Sometimes to my own detriment because there are a lot of people who take advantage of others. I was taught to help others but not taught where that line is that prevents you from subjugating your own self. From time to time I thought I knew where the line might be but found it elusive. It could be because there is no distinct line and that it shifts for each relatoinship that you have.   Some people I know ha...

We vacationed last week at the shore and I found it the perfect opportunity to read “Two Women In The Trunk” a “Sergeant Markie Mystery” written and self published by Tony Celano. Tony Celano?  Yes our Tony Celano, long time Gotham member and former Chair of our legendary Bandit Group. To my knowledge, "Trunk" is Tony’s initial writing effort and it draws heavily on his many years of service in the New York City Police Force as a Detective Squad Commander and assignment to th...