Recently, a friend, a recovering alcoholic, told me she had a "high bottom", a term I was unfamiliar with. Too proud to ask, I later looked it up and learned that "high bottom" connotes an alcoholic who recognizes the problematic nature of their drinking early on and decides to pursue recovery before hitting a more severe low. Well, it was news t …
We sent our four-year-old granddaughter a little Lego set for her birthday.A few days later, we received a picture of her proudly showing the completed project.We called (actually it was a video call) to congratulate her and asked whether it was hard to assemble.“It was hard,… but I did it!” she proudly responded.A lesson for a lifetime from a four …
To start off my first blog with GCN, I’d like to say that I am thrilled to join a group of respected, expressive individuals that share their thoughts, opinions, and stories in a medium that encourages continuous collaboration. On that note, I think it is fitting for this first blog to discuss the importance of “posting” and how useful it can be …
My grandmother’s name was Jennie Levine. She came to the United States in the late 1800s, most likely to the Lower East Side of Manhattan where she learned to be a seamstress. This past weekend, we spent some time enjoying Manhattan and paid a visit to the Tenement Museum. We visited the apartment of – coincidentally – Jennie Levine and her fam …
I visited the Queens group last week. As an aside, it’s a great group and everyone should stop by. Before the meeting started, everyone was chatting. Two members of the group were discussing their affinity for running. Trying to join their conversation, I mentioned that I enjoy walking on the treadmill. Being among people I did not know very well …
Tomorrow is a special day. I point out that if it were not this year, it would still be a special day as we celebrate Martin Luther King. In thinking about tomorrow and the change(s) to then occur, as well the traditional Martin Luther King Day observances, I looked at my playlists and offer these for your consideration: Songs to Inspire a …
Childhood was a magical time filled with endless possibilities, imaginative wonder, and a bunch of innocent misconceptions. For instance, I thought that all the smokestacks I noticed were cloud makers (maybe they are:) Another one involved traffic. I believed that all traffic jams were caused by one person driving really slowly in front and I alw …
No doubt, climate change is wreaking havoc. Be it hurricanes (water) or Fire. This time, it is the horrible Santa Ana wind blown LA fires. My words can not describe the damage and tragedy they have wrought! What I can do is support a Gotham initiative spawned by Gotham Hall of Fame member Bruce Swicker (Networker of the Year 2022). Bruce, who l …
The other evening, I was beginning to compose my blog for this week. About the football playoffs and choosing teams to root for even though they were not my usual hometown teams. The added enjoyment and excitement of rooting for a team — even if just for one game.And then I received a phone call that one of my dear friends has just died.It puts thi …
So, we are all aware of the tragedy of what is going on in CA over the last week or so. Massive fires tearing apart neighborhoods. Lost life, lost possessions, lost way of life. It is horrible to imagine the misery and fear that has been brought about. In my neck of the woods, we face a yearly threat of massive hurricane’s which can bring about flo …
Last Friday, I participated in Career Day at a local middle school. A close friend is a teacher at the school and runs the program. She asked me to talk to the students about practicing law. What an interesting experience – for me. In preparing what I wanted to talk about, I had to step back and think about how to explain what I do, why I do i …
A few weeks ago I made an appointment for my ENT for a hearing test. Going into the test, I knew what the results would be. I was going to need hearing aids. And I was right. I am getting fitted for hearing aids in a few weeks. I walked out of the doctor’s office feeling sorry for myself. I felt it was a sign that I was getting old, people woul …
The Football playoffs started yesterday and I paid no attention with my team (way) out of it. I did notice that I picked correct on yesterday’s outcome for a pool with my friend Eric that started with two seasons back. It often put us in the hate position of picking our team’s opponent even while we rooted for our team to prevail. That all said my …
Have you ever had a day that felt like it lasted forever and another that vanished in the blink of an eye? The funny thing is that time doesn’t change—it’s our perception of time that shifts. Psychologists say it has to do with novelty and attention. When we experience something new—like traveling to a new place or trying a new activity—our brai …
We saw the new Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, this past weekend and it was so good that I can't wait to see it again (and for a post 1965 sequel)! Of course, I am his contemporary and it resonated on the growing up together level, it was like Edward R. Morrow's bygone "You Are There" TV series. The performances are extraordinary, with at leas …
