For me, Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes. It’s also about the frame of the turkey but that’s a blog for another day. We generally host Thanksgiving and serve “traditional” side dishes. For us, that includes sweet potato casserole, with the melted marshmallows, a string bean casserole, with the Durkee fried onions, my husband's stuffing w …
It was that time again. Cannot ignore it. Cannot avoid it. Cannot delay it. The outside office —at least of very last vestiges of it — got formerly closed yesterday. Much of the work got done the preceding weekend. Just needed to dispose of some cushions for my chair; we decided to secure new cushions next season. I’ll miss being able to “deploy” …
Time is a funny thing. It’s always moving forward, unstoppable and unrelenting. Everything—people, plants, animals, even the things we create—has a time limit. Eventually, everything perishes, changes, or fades away. It’s a humbling thought but also fascinating. I've been thinking about time a lot lately, especially when I reflect on my company’s …
As you may know, Joanne and I share a wonderful 11 year old Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle mix) named Charcoal (pictured). As time went by, a pattern developed that the night shift was my sole responsibility. Charcoal spends her somnolent night hogging space on our bed and when Nature calls she hops off the bed and snorts. Up until recently, that w …
This came from a colleague of mine. I think it is worth sharing. Just a quick story and lesson. We recently pitched a client on a new engagement. Client was interviewing another law firm in addition to us. The client selected us and we have been retained. I casually asked the client why they selected us … and the client responded that part o …
Since moving from NY just over three years ago, we decided our previous dog Snowball, who was getting old at 15 at the time, would be better off staying with my Stepdaughter Ashley, in NY, who had been taking care of her mostly when she was living with us. Snowball passed this last March at the nice age of 17 and a half years old. We had thought ab …
I read an article recently about the value of smiling to be an effective salesperson. The premise of the article was that success is driven by a positive attitude and conveying that positive attitude in the sales process – not only to a prospective purchaser but to everyone along the way from introduction to close. What do you think? Does a …
Growing up in a Jewish family in the 1960's and 1970's, the Holocaust was an important subject in our home. My father, as he did with most things, had very strong views about the Holocaust. He insisted that, as Jewish people, we must continue to discuss and learn about the Holocaust to honor the millions who died and to ensure that it never happens …
A Gotham mantra – it’s better to give than receive...” – takes a special meaning as next month begins. Not just because Gotham approaches a countdown to when our tribe announces the recipient charities of its annual Season of Giving. In just over two weeks, the first Tuesday, after Thanksgiving, that’s Tuesday, December 3, this year 2024, Giving Tu …
There’s nothing quite like the electric energy of the NYC Marathon—you have to experience it at least once, whether as a spectator or a runner. I know Fred has completed it 33 times, which is amazing. This year, my niece—a track runner living in Chicago who has participated in several marathons—qualified and ran in the race. We went, signs in han …
As I live my life I concentrate on not allowing my mind to enter dark rooms where depression and despair reside waiting to cloud my outlook on life. Consistent with my oft stated mantra "Up is down and down is up" I always seek to see the bright side of a situation or event. I try to spread this "cheer" to those who have been brought down and defl …
While cleaning, I am faced with a dilemma. In going through my “stuff” I find boxes, bags, and piles of greeting cards. Birthday, anniversary, Father’s Day, all represented. Some exhibit the improving penmanship of my children — and grandchildren.They all reflect appropriate sentiments locked in perpetuity.But what is to be done with them?I remembe …
For the past 5 years I’ve participated in a “Pumpkin Project.” It started with my team and expanded from there. We get a pumpkin and every day during the month of October we write something for which we are grateful. Some of us post ours on social media, some don’t. I do, and on October 31st I carve it and turn it into a jack-o-lantern for its …
Holiday shopping seems to start earlier and earlier every year. Just around Halloween this year, I started to notice that the 2024 holiday season had already begun. Really? Is next year's season going to start at Labor Day? I am not convinced that I mind the early appearance of the end-year holidays. I like festive. And we have so many fa …
Lately I have been dealing with hiding my personal emotions while in a professional setting. During a recent oral argument I found what the other side was saying so unprofessional, outrageous, and outlandish that I had to battle internally to keep my anger in check. Hiding emotions in a professional setting can be incredibly challenging, especial …
