It is the 199th day of the year. 166 days to go. How are you spending them? Today would be Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, which means "Father of the Nation." Mandela's given name was Rolihlahla, which his schoolteachers were unable to p …
We spent last week in Florida visiting family, including my mother in law. She recently celebrated her 96th birthday. Think about that. She was born in 1922. World War I was over and she would be a young girl when World War II broke out. She was born during Prohibition (which didn’t end until 1933) and lived through the Great Depression. He …
World Cup fever. Did you have it? Our home did. And anticipating Sunday’s 11:00 a.m. final I bought all of the ingredients for a huge breakfast so we could enjoy the final game over a family breakfast. It has always amazed me how the rest of the world is transfixed and emotionally connected to soccer (football). The scenes of highly emoti …
Today’s Sunday blog covers how the right tribe behind you and with you helps you make a difference and makes a difference for you and the other with whom you connect. Please read on! Since I began moderating Fredslist (and Promolist) at the end of last summer I early get to see requests for help, as well as thank yous to members of our Gotham tri …
Last Sunday I embarked on a day long cook… Smoking a brisket. It’s a true commitment because smoking a brisket is at minimum 12 hours of cooking time. It all started the day before when I purchased a 9 pound brisket from my local butcher brought it home and put my special rub on it then place it into the fridge overnight. Unfortunately I can’t …
Last Saturday we were the subject of a (hack) hoax. It started with Netflix denying access and reporting that too many others were using it. Joanne went to our computer to reach Netflix, but found an **Apple Warning Alert** Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected (pictured) on the computer screen. As per the alert, she called for support …
I have a plethora of T shirts emblazoned with names, messages and logos. Carefully chosen, assembled, maintained and stored over too many years. The messages they carry - some significant only for a moment - while others endure. Funny that one remembers every acquisition. Recently I’ve considered moving to plain t shirts. Then, over the …
My friend Sonia always says #beautyiseverywhere and I've found that the more I see it, the better my life is. Well, here is a great story about the beauty and humanity of FaceBook. Two brothers who had recently found each other through AncestryDNA (another great resource), realized they had a pair of older twin sisters. To find them, they posted on …
It’s such a small thing, but so powerful and so noticeable when absent. When someone says “thank you” it means that they appreciate something you have done. With two small words, they show gratitude for something large or small. It could be as simple as a cashier saying thank you when your transaction is complete. Or if someone gets up to …
As I have written, Costco has opened in my town. We find ourselves shopping more and more in Costco for our everyday items. And my shopping habits are beginning to change. For instance, I love making roasted chicken. I rarely now, if ever, cook chicken because I cannot buy a raw chicken anywhere cheaper than I can purchase one of Costco’s rotis …
I was advised we needed to do something outside today. I suggested seeing “Thor” pitch in a rehab assignment in Coney Island. She agreed. The team we all hope he rejoins soon frustrates me. I am sure all the players are trying their best but the record suggests a limit to their collective abilities and it remains a source of frustration. No plans t …
I was relieved and surprised when the 12 boys and their coach where found safe and sound in a cave in Thailand. However, the ensuing saga of getting them out became very serious when a former Thai Seal died from lack of oxygen on his way out. I have a new perspective after finding this illustration of the cave, made with the help of a caving ex …
I live on Long Island and drive to work in Manhattan. Actually, I drive 19 miles from my home to the Queens side of the East River and take the subway two stops to my office in Manhattan.I take various driving routes without using Waze and bide my time by making Bluetooth telephone calls and listening to books on CDs. Once school is out traffic lig …
Independence Day is one of those few holidays that will always be celebrated on the precise day of its origin —— July 4th. No changes to Monday for the convenience of a long weekend. Most years, however, Independence Day provides a long holiday weekend — either three or four days — to begin Summer. But, by my unscientific calculations, every six …
As I was riding through Liberty, NY today (Tuesday) I couldn’t help but realize how fortunate we are to live in the greatest country in the world. I am also infinitely fortunate to live in the greatest city in the world where on any day I can get on the subway and find myself in the heart of where our nation was born. Bowling Green Park (first publ …
