Just concluded a week of exploration. Sort of. Marisa and Shelly explored Paris. The dad and husband visited mom in Florida. So while my daughter and wife took in The Louvre, The Musée d’Orsay, Eifel Tower and Versailles and its adjoining villas and getaway spots, between various appointments for mom, I found some time to explore where friends made …
I don't know his name but everyone calls him Chief. He sits outside my local 7-11 on the side and greets everyone within hearshot with either How ya doin today? or Change!?! Yes, he's a begger. Every so often I give him my pocket change however I'm now wondering if I should. Last week while walking to my car, I turned around and saw him looking …
One of my earliest memories is hiding my eyes, looking away and cowering behind a movie seat upon watching the appearance of the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz with my mother. Truth be told, the shock and horror has never left me. I looked away and my over stimulated youthful imagination nearly destroyed me. The same thing happene …
There were nine of us around the conference table. As the meeting came to a close, we decided to schedule another meeting. Six smartphones appeared. Two laptops were opened. And my Personal Pocket Journal came out of my pocket. Yes, I have my iPhone and there’s a calendar application that links to my office calendar and our family “shared” calend …
Nothing better than spending the day with my son, Patrick. Last week my son called me complaining about his work load at school. Exhausted, he said “Mom, I just want to spend the day with you. Just you and me.” What an easy one. I cleared my schedule and we spent the day hiking at Tyler Park in Bucks, County, PA. Both of us stayed completely prese …
Some of you may know that my daughter has accepted a new job for the fall. She will be working at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor doing health economics policy research. We are all super excited -- but that is not the purpose of this blog. I am a pretty regular poster on Facebook about my children but for some reason, this news hasn’t …
Fred posted a picture on Instagram that made me smile. It was a picture of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka from the original film, “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.” “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” definitely stands out, for me, as one of my favorite films of all time. It is one of those films that I am guaranteed to stop at if I am aim …
A good number of us gather with family this weekend. Some gathered today for Easter. Others including members of my family gathered Friday and Saturday eves for Passover. Usually we host one night and visit with family or friends (Appreciate the invites). Periodically, if find ourselves out of town, we participate in communal seders. This year, …
Do you remember Natalie "Nadia" Suleman? I didn't until I ran across a follow up news story. She is the Octomom, giving birth to 8 babies from one pregnancy. Well, they just celebrated their 10th birthday and all are seemingly healthy and well adjusted. She no dout has her hands full as her 14 children (she already had 6 older children) get big …
I’ve come to the realization that there are three stages of life: Youth, Middle Age and “You Look Good!” I can’t resist that line when someone tells me I look good. Actually, in my case, the third stage is what I call my Afterlife. No matter how long I live I will never retire. Rather, I will revel in this stage as a sort of enjoyable, no hold …
This is a continuation of Nancy’s blog on Tuesday. The vision was familiar. Flames from an iconic building in the City’s skyline. As I watched, the feelings of 9/11 percolated through me. I then remembered. The visits. Walking through the massive doors. The beauty. The history. And I remembered visiting Paris in December after 9/11. It was c …
Never have I ever witnessed harmony in nature like the National Park in Pointe Reyes, California with this special girl named Christie. What a treat to have toured some of the most beautiful terrain in the United States, by foot. Elk, cow, chickens, sheep, oysters, wild birds, redwoods, cyprus, eucalyptus and the ocean all co-exist together, in one …
It took more than 8 1/2 hours but the fire at Notre Dame is finally out. I’ve never been to Paris, but I’ve always wanted to go. A bucket list kind of thing. People who have visited speak with such excitement about the Cathedral of Notre Dame, its beauty and history and the amazing artwork. The video coverage was horrifying. Through the sc …
Admittedly, I am writing this blog on Saturday afternoon, but I have only one thought running through my head. And I can’t seem to think about, or write, about any other topic today. My preoccupation is what will the final season of Game of Thrones bring? I don’t recall being so eager to watch the final season of any other television series than t …
Knowing a few folks often becomes a calling card in doing business. The proverbial “large” rolodex (Anyone still use one – I once had two!) became a resource often helpful in developing business prospects, securing introductions, accessing experts and more. At a recent non-profit board meeting, several matters came up. A board member I had recru …
