An aphorism is a short phrase that expresses a true or wise idea. We all encounter them and fall back on our favorites from time to time. For years I have enjoyed the aphorisms posted in our local bagel store. Steve, the owner of Town Bagel in Plainview, takes pride in the aphorisms that he changes every Tuesday and have become a tradition. But it wasn't until last week that I was so struck by the message on the thought-provoking sign that I decided to share it.

June 7 is the 158th day of the year (159th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 207 days remaining until the end of the year. 1769 - Daniel Boone begins exploring the Bluegrass State of Kentucky

  You can feel it in the air. The weather is just about to change and with that change will usher in my favorite season.    

After I graduated law school, I took off for three weeks to travel with my college roommate. Given the state of domestic and foreign relations at the time my parents- whom I was still living with- were very nervous about “two young girls travelling alone.”  To appease their concerns, I promised to keep in touch.

It’s Summertime and for this correspondent, it often means politics and anyone who checked out my Friday Promo via Gotham’s Promolistserve; but even more so it involves music; live music.  

Ever been driving behind a car on a one lane road only to find they stop for seemingly no reason at all? Then, much to your suprise, they make a left hand turn. No blinker, hand signal or even a smoke signal.   This non-blinker using driver is most likely thinking (or not thinking) "I know where I'm going, I don't need to use a blinker." What they are failing to grasp is that the blinker is not for them - it's for everyone else!  

I have been taking the subway to work for 50 years and have had many experiences, both good and bad, in my travels.  However, last week I had a poignant, unique under ground experience as I entered a crowded car on the way into work.  As I entered a younger man gestured to me and offered to give me his seat.  Despite the fact that it was unexpected and unsolicited, I did not hesitate or waiver.  I surprised myself by accepting the seat. 

I was reminded of Rona's blog of a few weeks ago about armrests when I went to an off-Broadway last week. (Rona's armrest incident was on an airplane.) As I found my seat in the small theatre, I could have been mistaken for taking the seat already occupied by the woman in the next seat. When she re-arranged herself, her coat and her pocketbook, I was able to sit -- only to encounter the challenge of the armrest between our seats. As I tried to get comfortable, my arm settled on the armrest only to be bumped by hers. And then came the unexpected.