Does her name ring a bell? Maybe you'll recongnize the picture. The picture, snapped by a White House photographer traveling with the president as he left his golf course in Sterling, Va., went viral almost immediately. News outlets picked up the story when it appeared in a White House pool report. Social media began hailing the unidentified wom …
No doubt, You have seen the great Godfather movies and probably remember Don Vito Corleone's son Frederico (Fredo) Corleone played by the fine actor John Cazale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgHXHtHSsNo&sns=em Fredo is a fictional character, dreamed up by author Mario Puzo, who is weaker and less intelligent than his brothers and has …
There is so much going on. Sometimes it’s a relief to just talk sports. There is something I don’t like about the Eli Manning situation. The Giants have been awful this season — one of the worse I can remember. Eli, the Giants’ quarterback and long-time face of the franchise, was abruptly told that he would not be starting this Sunday’s fire 210 st …
What do you do when an organization is doing "good," but they also are doing something you don't support? Let me first say, that I can often not see the "big picture" and I am also often an A#%hole. I was sent two emails, asking me to "adopt" a child in poverty by two people I trust. Thanks to wonderful Gotham members Sonia and Gail, I went to Char …
We were standing with two suitcases in the corner of the ballroom. They weren’t our suitcases, they were my son’s. Our job was to keep them company until he had checked in to the All National Music Conference at which point we would say our goodbyes until the concert three days later. [More on that experience in another blog] The ballroom w …
I am hoping that this blog is not read as a political blog. Rather, I hope it’s read as a blog about family. I was saddened to see pictures, on the internet, of Malia Obama tailgating before a Harvard football game. There were allegations that she was doing much more than tailgating, but, when I realized what I was looking at I quickly clicked of …
Tempted Out with friends for dinner with more than a few couples before a charity function sponsored by my Knights of Pythias (FDR) Lodge, the ladies evidently were discussing plans ahead and my wife shared our plans for next weekend. Our friend Abby asked how many times Shelly and I attended a Squeeze show. I responded at least four. That a …
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 …
