From April 2015, still true for me today (maybe more so):  

 

I remember, when I was a child, numerous small stores  thrived in my town; clothing stores, book stores, hardware stores, shoe stores etc. I have so many memories of my Mom taking my brother, sister and I for back to school clothes at Chwatsky’s or new shoes at Jack’s Correct Fit. And, of course, the owners knew my Mom by name as well as me and my siblings. One by one as malls and larger department stores opened the small “mom and pop” stores closed.

Father’s Day  

Another news nugget from your intrepid blogger. This files under the category of whaaaaaatttttt?!?!?!   Italy's highest court ruled on Friday that lobsters must not be kept on ice in restaurant kitchens because it causes them unjustifiable suffering before they head for death by fine dining.   They actually were upholding a sentence by a lower court which ruled that the fact that even though lobsters are usually cooked while still alive does not mean they can be mistreated beforehand.  

When I was young I did not drink coffee.  I started mid life when I heard that elite runners and other athletes would load up on cups of coffee pre event or game to garner the supposed benefit of the interaction of caffeine upon glycogen.  I truly believe it is a legal performance enhancer and continue such use to this day.  Along the way I developed the enjoyable habit of nursing and sipping my sole cup of coffee through the day.  I get a little taste kick when I roll it on my tongue and I suppose you could say I'm addicted. 

First, I was just always around to see my Father.  

I'm very fortunate that business has brought me to the World Trade Center transportation and shopping hub a few times in recent weeks. It is magnificent. It is called the Oculus, designed by Santiago Calatrava, and completed at twice the original (public money) funding at 4 Billion Dollars. You can get both the PATH and the subway in this fantastic creation. Or a good cup of coffee. Or some high end shopping.