I thought I would share the unvarnished truth about "Black Friday." The first recorded use of the term Black Friday was applied not to holiday shopping but to financial crisis: specifically, the crash of the U.S. gold market on September 24, 1869. Two notoriously ruthless Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, worked together to buy up a …
2017 may end up being the best year of my life (or right up there) and for that I am thankful for abundant reasons. Passing on ample family reasons, 2017 was distinguished by many highlights. Examples follow:1) Celebrating Gotham's 20th Anniversary at the Harmonie Club2) My obsession with Yankee rookie Aaron Judge (and enjoying 2 playoff games with …
On this day, there are so many things to be thankful for.... As I sit at our Thanksgiving table, surrounded by family, I expect that my thoughts of thanks will focus on two things: First, having just survived the annual Thanksgiving basketball game, and Second, the two newest members of our family who are celebrating their first Thanksgivng this ye …
Fifty-four years ago on this day, a police officer, army veteran, father, husband and a man working two part jobs in addition to being a police officer, was shot and killed in the suburbs of Dallas, TX while investigating a murder. Everyone remembers the victim of that murder, lets take a moment to remember a man doing his job, supporting his famil …
I was one of those kids who danced. I spent hours and hours at dancing school for years and years. With all candor, I wasn't very good. In every recital photo, if the whole group is pointing to the left, I am pointing to the right. If the group is doing pirouettes, I am down on one knee. You get the idea. I had so much trouble keeping up. But I lov …
Today, I am all about surprises. Yesterday, my husband and I threw our eldest daughter a surprise bridal shower and, even though there were slip-ups, i.e. text messages not meant for her sent in a group family text, I think we pulled it off. She had a fabulous day and she seemed, genuinely, surprised. For me, planning the party was more fun than …
With Thanksgiving and for many of us a long weekend approaching, I find it nice to anticipate gatherings of families and friends. Every Thanksgiving involves memories and traditions. Some revolve around the food and how we prepare it. Others peculiar to some celebrants. Music remains important to me and one tradition started when I listene …
I'm excited...my favorite holiday is just about here. No presents exchanged, no religion, no politics (maybe:) and of course great food. I'm particularly looking forward to frying a turkey and barbequing a couple of ducks. Both require a bit of finesse and thought. The ducks in particular have quite a bit of fat and the drippings can easily spark …
You could say this piece is about recycling (which is a good Green thing), but I prefer to think of it as a the start of a primer of stuff which is intended for a specific purpose and has other worthy uses. My list is as follows: 1) Newspaper bags which serve as poop bags 2) Paper napkins which clean eye glasses 3) Plastic credit cards which unloc …
I’m not one who pedals conspiracy theories but I do marvel at some coincidences. We live in stressful times. Cable news attests to that. Is it any wonder that the standards for hypertension have been lowered? More blood pressure medication will flow. And the new head of Health and Human Services comes from Big Pharma. And all this came in one …
Twenty-Six letters. Seven colors in a rainbow. Isn't it amazing what human beings can do with just a few musical notes, or colors or letters. Create joy, bring back forgotten memories, enlighten nations. We can do so much with so little, the human heart and brain are miraculous things. There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is …
It gets earlier every year. I used to comment that the songs, sounds and decorations of the holidays had arrived just after Thanksgiving. I thought that was early. Then, all of those came along with Thanksgiving. I thought that was early. Have you noticed that holiday decorations are already up around town – and a song or tw …
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is almost upon us. And for the first time in several years, I am hosting. While for most people on Thanksgiving the turkey is the “star” of the show, I am all about the side dishes. I love filling my plate with a taste of every side dish and just a smidgen of turkey. Given that I am hosting, my plan is to have a …
Four blogs ago I focused on those who by action(s) or inaction(s) enable creeps to perpetrate terrible harm or worse on others. Friday I received an email disturbing in content: it defended Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore. I replied, “So are you saying that notwithstanding Moore’s conduct he merits election to any public office? "A creep is …
This one is for you, Mom! As a daughter of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in the early 1900’s, when your parents’ lives were threatened abroad in pogroms, you were raised with compassion and kindness, teaching you the importance of love and family. During the Depression, money was so tight but food was always on the table. You taught us abo …
