I have been writing my Friday With Fred blog for nearly 10 years and it has become a regular part of my life. At any time, a subject might strike me and I rush to write it on my iPhone. Contrary to another regular blogger, I tend to keep mine short and to the point and today's point is that I would like suggestions as to topics you would like to …
We just installed a new phone system in our office. Even as I attended the orientation session to learn how to use the new phone, I accepted the fact that I would probably never utilize all of its features nor realize all of its potential. I would incorporate what worked for me and settle in to a nice cooperative relationship with my new phone. Th …
Today is Jeannie C. Riley's Birthday. A nice day for some history. Released in 1968. There's still a lot of judgement going on... "Harper Valley P.T.A." (Tom T. Hall) I want to tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wifeWho had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior HighWell her daughter came home one afternoon and didn …
Have you noticed that with more and more frequency a commercial is repeated in the same program cycle? You walk out of the room to grab a drink and come back to the start of the same commercial that was ending as you left. Does anyone else out there find that advertising practice annoying? I do. I suppose it does make me think again about the p …
It was one of those days you dread while on vacation. As our cruise ship pulled into the port of Corfu Greece, we looked outside our balcony to see drenching rainfall. Given that we were scheduled to take a bus tour of the island, I was not concerned; I did not expect the rain to affect our itinerary. As soon as the bus pulled away from the dock, …
Last week I shared plans to see the Broadway musical "Beautiful" last night for Shelly's Birthday. Enjoyed the book and the music and how the lyrics of several songs really spoke to the things going on in the life of Carol King and first husband Gerry Goffin who passed in 2014. Tapestry -- still have the LP -- played in iTunes for the ride home. …
A 7 year old young man just bought what he has dreamed about...a pony. Sabastion Lucas from Australia sold lemonade for 3 years to save up enough money to purchase his new pony Tom. Sabastian makes his lemonade with lemon and sugar and sells it for 20 cents a cup. It became so popular he would regularly sell out. I think we should make him a …
Recently, I was minding my own business as I ascended the subway escalator when I heard one person ask the other "how are you?" The response was "great, only better is you". Really? I never heard such a thing. Is it some sort of 21st century compliment?I'm happy with who I am!
I was at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Boston with the Metropolitan Contemporary Glass Group. Since I am secretary of the group, I was scribbling notes when a museum guard came up to me and asked if I was writing with a pen. She didn't confiscate the pen, but advised me that my using it was prohibited and gave me a little pencil. I was fine wit …
Sometimes I am able recognize the privilege of being connected to something longstanding and wonderful. Now we all have an opportunity to participate in saving a small monument. I am fortunate to call Robin Hirsch a trusted friend. Born in London during the blitz, he ended up opening a cafe in Greenwich Village in 1977. (For more of his fascinating …
The dictionary defines reveal as “to make previously unknown or secret information known to others.” That makes sense. But the concept of “the reveal” has taken on bigger proportions. Reveals happen on television all the time – the Today show does a makeover; “George to the Rescue” renovates a bathroom for a needy family and we get to see the fi …
I feel, as if, this month, I am writing a travelling blog. But, as you’re reading this, I will be in the midst of a lifelong ambition, seeing Greece. As a young child, Greek mythology and culture fascinated me. As a teenager, my parents travelled to Greece-without me, my brother and my sister-and the souvenirs they brought back and the stories th …
I returned the favor. For my birthday Shelly took me to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at B.B. King's Saturday eve. In my college years I would see a concert on on near the date of my birthday. Approaching my 18th birthday, I saw Dave Mason at Hofstra U. About a week shy the following year I saw Eric Clapton at the Nassau Coliseum. …
After a 60th birthday party in Saratoga tonight and a wedding in Maryland Sunday, we're heading to Myrtle Beach on Monday. Then again Matthew may have something to say about it as it pounds the Carolina coast this morning. It's a game time decision whether we go or not. There are automatic no-go factors and ones that could sway me either way. For …
Here's hoping that Hurricane Matthew peters out. Here's hoping that the East coast is spared and that damage and injury is minimized. Right now we don't know the full impact and then there's the possibility that it will curl around and return to hit Florida again. Mother Nature is all powerful. Here's hoping she is merciful!
