Deadlines. We all have them and we all need them. Whether self imposed or imposed upon us by others. How we deal with them makes all of the difference — from feeling in control to feeling overwhelmed.I try to plan and anticipate deadlines. Sometimes successfully and sometimes less so.So, I ask, how do you handle deadlines?
It was the beautiful chirping sounds of birds that woke me the other morning. A symphonic cacophony. It is that special time of year here on Long Island when you can leave your windows open at night and enjoy the cool night air… and the birds as the sun rises.I admit that they wake me a bit earlier than I might prefer, but I really can’t blame the …
About once a week I receive a copy of the Vineyard Gazette in the mail. It’s the local newspaper from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.We’ve been visiting the Vineyard for years and, for the limited time we spend there, we consider it one of our homes away from home. We always read the Gazette when we are on the Vineyard. Many years ago I felt it w …
The other day a guided meditation asked me to consider the teachers in my life.As I focused on my breathing, I searched for the single person who stood out in my mind as being nurturing, encouraging and a guide on my journey.I searched my memory bank and one of my college professors came through clearly. But I couldn’t think of anyone from earlier …
We approached the door to leave the store as a young man and woman were entering.He held the door for his friend as she entered and then motioned for us to come through the door as he held it open. As I said thank you for his courtesy, I noticed the “Wrestling” on his T Shirt and asked him where he wrestled.He wrestled for the local high school and …
The other day, we were out doing some gardening. It was 7 p.m. and the sun was still shining with glorious light before sunset.I was thinking how nice it was to have that time in daylight, after coming home from the office to be outside.And I thought about the current discussions about making “Daylight Savings” permanent.How nice, I thought. Then I …
Last weekend we were having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the City. It was good to be back.At the table next to us were a man and woman. But there was something wrong. They didn’t speak to each other and made no eye contact. The woman couldn’t avoid looking in my direction and I caught a few weird glances from her. But the man only c …
The first days of Spring.....If I had decided when the new year should begin, I would have chosen the first days of Spring. As nature emerges from the sleep of winter, there is so much to look forward to. (Of course, those in the Southern Hemisphere might see things differently.)I’ve thought about threeNew Year possibilities for the start of the ne …
As I take a break from packing for our upcoming return to the Happy Island of Aruba, I thought it appropriate to repost my blog from March 5, 2020 -- 722 days ago. Last Sunday, we took a flight back to New York from the happy island of Aruba (that’s the subject of another blog). I had given some thought to the usual concerns associated …
Every once in a while, I come across a contact on my phone and pause. I stare and consider why the contact is still in my Contacts. Sometimes I don’t even remember the contact and have no idea how the contact got there in the first place. After a moment of thought, and with some question, I’ll often delete the contact.“People come into our lives fo …
My fountain pen leaked. I was in the office and the few tissues in my desk drawer were worthless against the black ink that stained my fingers.Attempts at the bathroom sink were futile. It would have to wait until I got home.I washed at home later in the day, using the Boraxo, nail brush and pumice stone that were there for special occasions.As I w …
Our soon-to-be six years old grandson recently shared one of his greatest confidences.“The bane of my existence is that I don’t know what the bane of my existence is.”I wonder whether he was simply expressing that he didn’t know what “bane of existence” means or whether he was actually reflecting upon the concern foremost on his mind at the moment. …
The drop-down was to the effect that firms have given up on predicting when employees would return to their offices. I didn’t read the full article. As often happens, the drop-down is sufficient to lead to questions.Are you back in the office? If not, are you going back in the near future?
We were staying at a new hotel in Woodstock New York. An escape weekend in the Catskills. The room was modern, overlooking a brook fed by a waterfall framed nicely in the room’s window. The television was a challenge. All the streaming channels were available - provided you had an account and remembered your password. For the life of me, I couldn’t …
My grandson, who is a few months shy of his sixth birthday, recently started playing Monopoly. It was no surprise that he challenged me and his father to a game when we visited them last weekend.And when our brother and sister-in-law visited, we took out Connect Four and played several games.I don’t generally play board, or computer, games, and was …
