With a mask on it's challenging to understand someone's feelings, reactions, age, etc. Is the person smiling or scowling? Are they chewing gum or trying to breath? What if one of you has a hearing impairment? So much of our personal interactions are based on seeing the other person's mouth. Without that I find myself staring at a peron's ey …
Today we celebrate our Independence Day. Indepedence from tyranny, the right to free speech, the ability to believe in whatever religion we choose even if it's none at all. We are a pluralistic country and my wish, on this day, is that we can look out for each other, accept our differences without judgement, seek to understand what it truly means t …
This past week marked my Mom's 90th birthday. My sister and I were so happy we could see her. Until that point, no one was allowed in the assisted living center where she resides so it was a game time decision whether we could see her or not. Thankfully, we were good to go. I asked her how old she thought she was but she did not know. When I tol …
My office has been back up and running for over a week now. It's feels somewhat normal because we are all there...of course with appropriate physical distancing, masks, wipes, sanitizer and a cool looking sign on our front door stating you must wear a mask when entering. I missed the interaction, impromptu meetings between staff to discuss market …
A client asked me if we could plan out the next 4 weeks of content for social media. The question actually stopped me in my tracks. With the pace of change running at lightning speed and emotions flowing in all directions I couldn't. I told him that I felt comfortable only doing 1 maybe 2 weeks at a time right now. Although it's a bit more stress …
TV is still showing people hugging, holding hands, buying cars, and all this feels like telltale's of another era. Shall we ever go back to what looks now, retrospectively, like happy days? We struggle adjusting to the new reality, but have faith that we will get through this together. Therefore, during this difficult and unprecedented time, we …
Boy are we angry...having been out and about (don't worry, mask and gloves are on) I can tell you that people are angry. Apparently a lot of pent-up tension. The drivers on the road are excessively agressive which is saying a lot around here. Retailers are getting screamed at in a plant store ?!? They are in a store which has beautiful flora and …
After wiping off all my groceries, I'm not sure I like grapes that smell like baby wipes Without looking online, I try to guess what's in the Amazon box that's delivered to my front porch seemingly every day I wonder why I still have a land line. The only people that call want to sell me something. I'm hoping landscapers learn there are elect …
Our lives have certainly changed. Neil said yesterday (among other things) in a comment to Fred's blog "You think this is bad . Think Pearl Harbor , Hiroshima , Berlin." I couldn't agree more. I compare the present event to my personal 'incidents' and it pales in comparison. Not everything is cancelled. Here's the start of a list... Sunshine …
One of the themes of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” is that there needs to be a balance between man’s pursuit of liberty and the government’s responsibility to maintain order for the common good. The great thing about America is that everyone is allowed to have their opinion. Exchange of opinions is what defines a democracy. Democracy, at its best, …
Battle Lines The Coronavirus pandemic has been an unprecedented stress on health care delivery. There are more patients, sicker patients, requiring more resources than seems possible. The specter of health care workers becoming infected has introduced an element of fear that most practitioners have never even imagined. As a recently retired anest …
The liquor store near us bolted a piece of plexiglass on the front door with a little hole in it. You tell them what you want, they get it and pass it through to you. Golf was okay to play, now it's not. I missed Gotham Happy Hour yesterday because I forgot what day of the week it was. The BBC's Living Planet series is incredible. I highly re …
The new look for our times... Venturing outside is a cross between enjoying the outdoors, avoiding people and wondering if anything you touch could infect you. Stay strong, safe and healthy!
Some observations of my quarantined life... • Driving is great! You can cruise anywhere in record time. Hit about 110 on rte 135 the other day. • Wiping your whole body down with Purel every 5 minutes will give you a tingly feeling. • Zoom meetings are showing everyone's true colors, whether you want to see them or not. • Going to 7-Eleven …
It's been quite a week. Businesses had to be 50% staffed, then 75% then 100%. States are locking down and people are still hoarding toilet paper.. I thought I might start a list of what you can do while sheltering in place. • Visit musuems online • Dust off that old instrument in your basement and give it a go • Put together a puzzle...that one i …
It's Saturday...and anything goes.
