As I was walking in the Berkshire woods with my cousin last Sunday, we noticed the ever-so-slight changes in the foliage as nature anticipates the coming change of seasons.We talked about the changes that are sure to come. The certainty of change is, in a way, reassuring.I like the variety and change of seasons in the Northeast and celebrate on thi …
For me, there will always be a sense of new beginning in September. It’s probably the remnant of years of new school years so long ago.Over the last few days, Flo and I have received pictures of our grandchildren on their first days of school. Bright smiles with cautious enthusiasm and expectation…and the mandatory backpack filled, or to be filled, …
Many years ago, as I was packing the car after a nice vacation for the trip home, I shared my feelings about leaving our idyllic vacation spot with a fellow guest. “If you don’t leave, you can never come back.” I have shared those wise words many times. And the wisdom of the message is sound guidance beyond the vacation. If we never leave our z …
This blog had to be rewritten. My blog asked the question “would you fly on a 737 Max 8?” The question has been rendered moot by the grounding of the planes in the U.S. yesterday afternoon. However, the issues remain and the question can be simply rephrased: “Would you have flown on a 737 Max?” Two accidents seemingly of very similar circumstance …
It was one of those tough decisions. We were in Aruba and scheduled to fly back to New York last Sunday. The weather forecast in New York was for a snow storm and the prediction was ominous. We called the airline. The flight had not yet been cancelled but the airline would change our reservations to a flight on Monday. Thoughts of being stuck a …
Greetings from the Happy Island of Aruba. So, we’re walking on the beach and see two women taking pictures of delicious-looking fruit bowls. Couldn’t resist asking where they (the fruit bowls) were from. “Eduardo’s Beach Shack just over there.” As they pointed away from the water. We walked a little longer before turning around and began search …
As I write this blog, we anticipate a few days of unusual cold. As you read this, we should be in the throws of the “life-threatening” cold. The polar vortex is that mass of very cold air that circulates over the Arctic. Usually, it stays in place — over the North Pole. But sometimes, the vortex weakens and when it does, it travels south and inva …
We recently visited the Conservation Laboratory at the Brooklyn Museum. Explaining the intricate process of restoring/repairing a beautiful glass goblet from the 1800s, the Conservator shared the lengthy and detailed analysis that goes into determining the chemical composition of the glass in an effort to match the most-appropriate epoxy for the re …
It was a nice jacket. Would probably have served me well...I think. However, it was, to my mind, over-priced. I went back a few times to see if it was still on the rack as the post-holiday sales gained momentum. Although reduced, the price was still too high. But, perhaps, going in the right direction. Last time we went back, it was gone. …
I recently opened an occasionally-used news app on my smartphone. A notice appeared about the use of cookies by the app. Long legal explanations and disclaimers. A request to accept before going on. However, there was no ability to decline permission. I tried to get around the notice without consenting, but could not. I thought about all of the …
We live in the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County. We have been avid recyclers. Things are changing. A few weeks ago, we received a notice of new recycling guidelines. The notice announced that “The International Recycling Market Changed...Here’s how it impacts you!” It was reported some time ago that China, which historically purchased muc …
We were at the airport and I was waiting for Flo. Nearby on both sides of me were two couples —clearly each a husband and wife. And both were caught up in an argument. I moved away from one only to find the other engaged in almost identical banter. The toxicity was painful – beyond uncomfortable. I could feel it permeating my skin and had to get …
Have you ever noticed that people tend to sit at the same seat? This phenomenon was mentioned at a recent Gotham meeting. Members just sat at their “regular” seats. Same perspective of the room and others. No judgment. Simple observation. I thought about this phenomenon for a while and, a few days later, was confronted by it and the discomfort ca …
At first, I thought it was a weird request. We were at an art show and a gallery owner we know, apologized and asked me to retrieve his phone that was charging in his booth which was about fifty feet away. He was pushing a stroller with the young child of his assistant who was attending the booth and explained that if he went back to the booth, th …
I had to do something. The pain of the massacre lingered. I couldn’t get my head around it. On Tuesday evening, Flo and I attended the memorial vigil at the JCC in Plainview. Among so many people struggling, as I was, to find meaning. Walking away I was struck by certain powers — The Power of Community, the Power of Music, the Power of Word …
