This past Tuesday was the Winter Solstice - the “shortest day of the year”. It was also the first day of winter. Winter conjures up visions of cold and snow. For me, beginning yesterday, the days will be getting longer and we’ll enjoy a little more sunlight every day. I’ll focus on the sunshine and look forward to Spring Equinox. Happy Holidays.
Days (of the week) and dates (of the month) - oftentimes a single day can be labeled with two identities. Do you focus on the day or the date?A few weeks ago, we received an invitation from our friends for an event on “Friday, 11/11”. Without realizing the error that the day and date didn’t match, we entered the event for 11/11 on our calendar.We w …
This past Monday - the first day in the office after leaving daylight savings time - I couldn’t figure out how the morning had passed so quickly until I realized that I hadn’t turned back the clock on my desk. I looked up from my work and saw that it was approaching noon, paused and finally realized that it was only eleven. I reset the clock with a …
We recently heard of a disruption during dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. The incident, in which a diner complained to the annoyance of many people around him, was over a condiment that was simply mot available that evening. The restaurant had run out and the delivery wouldn’t be until the next day.I wonder why some people complain that s …
With temperatures falling, I wonder whether it’s time to go inside.Like many people, over the past year and a half we have been reluctant to eat inside restaurants and have been dining out outside.Exercise has been a challenge and we have not been inside a gym. Walking has been the major exercise escape and we’ve enjoyed the outside tent and equipm …
One definition of root is to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team.Here we are in baseball’s post-season. The local teams - who are the usual objects of our attention and support - are all packed up.I find myself watching the play-off games, primarily because it’s just good baseball. And I find myself far from neutral as I watch. But I’ …
I reached for a hat in the closet and was showered by more than two dozen baseball-style hats, a few caps of various styles, and an assortment of other rimmed headwear.I knew that several head coverings had accumulated over the years, but the extent of the collection was alarming and a reminder that the time has come to clean and clear.But as I wen …
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 …
