I never really laugh at Mother-In-Law jokes. I understand them from stories and experiences people have recited but never connected with the meaning. That's because my Mother-in-Law was an incredible woman. Strong, resilient, demure, classy, loving, intelligent and so much more. Jean Rack (Nana) was the embodiment of all that is good. Her story is …
Bob Dylan wrote and Rod Stewart cribbed the perfectly poignant ballad: Forever Young. This is for them:ElvisLennonBuddy HollyJanisOtisJimiJim MorrisonJFKBobbyMartinMarilynJames DeanBobby KaplanBasquiatKeith HaringSteve JobsTupacAmy Winehouse CobainThurman MunsonPrincess DiRoberto ClementeErnie DavisPeter SalamoneDavid WolfeKaren LangoneChrista Mca …
So it's time to look back at the past year and, as I think about Gotham and 2016, my thoughts take me to one of the hidden secrets in our Gotham family. It's a small group of Gothamites -- we call them the Advocates-- who quietly help others navigate the complex world of healthcare. Whether it's finding a doctor in some far-away country, getting a …
It's been quite the season of loss and I don't know how to say anything brillaint about that. So I give you this: So this is Christmas And what have you doneAnother year overAnd a new one just begun And so this is ChristmasI hope you have funThe near and the dear onesThe old and the young A very merry ChristmasAnd a happy New YearLet's hope it's a …
Given that we are in the midst of the season of gift giving, I thought I would share my favorite with you. I am notorious for losing my keys multiple times a day, and most often at the worst times. Bill found TrackR which is a tag to attach to my keys which connects to an app on my phone. Now when I am digging frantically in my bag fo …
I have a habit that, I know, annoys my friends and family. I, generally, do not listen to my voice messages on my cell phone. I will, almost always, call them back but, when asked about the message they left, I have to admit that I did not spend the time to listen to it. Conversely, if I call someone on their cell phone, I generally will not …
Happy New Year and Ring It In with some great songs. Shelly and I wish everyone all the best as we approach the moment we ring in new year 2017. And what better way than an updated list of “Songs To Ring In The New Year.” I hope folks enjoyed my “Happy Holidays in song” playlist which I blogged about last Sunday. Readers of that blog (c …
It's Christmas eve and the first night of Hannukah. What do I eat for dinner? The traditional seven fishes, a roasted ham or a brisket with latkes? It's a conundrum...add in Kwanza and I'm totally food confused. I could use your help. Please let me know what are you feasting on tonight. I need some ideas ;) Thanks and I wish a very warm and won …
Our law firm has enjoyed the same Office Manager for over 30 years (9/84 DOH): Pat Sumple (nee Castrovinci) and she is retiring at year end. Needless to say, I (we) will sorely miss her. Although she can be tough and at times impatient, we will always consider her one of our Family and value her various contributions, opinions and decisions great …
Last Sunday, I gave a half-full/half-empty canister of cat treats to my longtime neighbor. We kept the treats for the neighbor's cats -- Oreo and Hoppy -- who were frequent visitors to our front porch. Oreo is the friendlier of the two. Hoppy, more guarded. Oreo would wait to see any activity by our front door, or wait for our car to pull up and …
My mantra for the coming year seems to be: "I will not stand idly by." I think it originates in the Bible from Leviticus, I'm no expert in that department. For me it means that I will stay aware of my own life, my own home, my own "village," my own country and my own planet. I will not stay quiet when injustices are happening. I will speak up and t …
I am reasonably convinced that I have written this blog before but the conversation continues so indulge me. In my house, we are temperaturistically opposed. Yes, I know that is not really a word. Forever, I am opening windows and Bill is closing them as soon as I walk out of the room. I turn the air conditioning to its highest power …
I had an experience this week that truly showed me that, no matter how we perceive ourselves, there are others who see us quite differently. While I am admittedly over fifty years old, I do not perceive myself as being “old” or looking “older.” That perception was challenged this week when I stepped onto the subway in Borough Hall, Brooklyn to g …
I no longer devote much time to any music station. I long for the days of WNEW-FM which enjoys a Facebook page. No matter what music station you would dial up on terrestrial radio, the weeks leading up to the holidays means music that reflects that spirit and themes. A few years back Gotham co-founder Fred Klein, knowing my love of music, encour …
They call it a Polar Vortex, the Siberian Express, the Canadian Clipper...I just call it winter. It's here...look out your windows (for those of us in the Northeast) and revel in the snow. I've got my snow thrower and shovels at the ready. You know it's winter when Fred is getting ready to go south and the sounds of winter suburbia fill the air. …
