About seven weeks ago, on June 3rd, I saw this quote in the Wall Street Journal. "No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one." (Elbert Hubbard) Approaching the half-way point of this summer, the quote haunts me. I am hearing more complaints about "trying to get away" and "paying for those few days away". I am looking forward t …
We were at a craft fair last weekend in the Berkshires. It was held at a ski slope, with most vendors setup in tents outside. There were also two lodges - one at the top of the mountain and one at the base - and some of the vendors were in the indoor lodges. There was more foot traffic outside and, unless you realized that there were vendors in t …
I was driving home and was cut off by an SUV driver who decided not to make the left turn she was signaling from the left-turn lane and cut back into traffic. I slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting her, sending things in the car that weren’t bolted down flying. I blasted my horn – realizing as I did that it wouldn’t make a difference. A moment lat …
Renovations of the bathrooms in our offices were recently completed. In addition to the clean new look, I noticed the new high powered hand dryer and the new paper towel dispenser which dispensed smaller sheets than I remembered. I began to take notice and observed many more high powered hand dryers in public restrooms. Some were side-by-side pap …
The clouds were threatening and were moving towards us last Sunday afternoon. We stopped at a wine and cheese store in Stockbridge as the drizzle turned to a downpour. Wet, but safely inside as the skies opened. The rain was torrential. The report later was 3 inches in less than an hour. Roads flooded. The roof of the store sprung a leak and we h …
This has to be one of the most bizarre and resourceful happenings ever witnessed. We were at the Gala and Auction for UrbanGlass -- a wonderful facility in Brooklyn and worth a visit for anyone interested in glass. During the cocktail hour, pieces that were being auctioned were on display in UrbanGlass’s gallery. As we enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeu …
I had a feeling that it might be a phishing call, but the caller ID said “Floral Park” and I have a client in Floral Park, so I answered. Perhaps I should have hung up when a voice I didn't recognize asked to speak to Benjamin. When I asked who's calling, the man answered “Audi lease protection”. “What’s this about.” I asked. “Your 2012 Q5. Do you …
It is a nice bistro-style restaurant on West 44th Street where we often enjoy a pre-theatre meal. We have recommended Saju to friends and relatives. We were a bit disappointed when we were seated there last Saturday evening. Our favorite table was taken and we were brought to a table in the room off to the side. We asked to be moved and ended up a …
Today is Yom Ha’Shoah - Holocaust Remebrance Day, which commemorates the lives and heroism of those who perished in the Holocaust. I would be remiss to let the day go by without the appropriate recognition. Last Sunday, we attended the annual commemoration held at Temple Emanu-El in New York. My mother was invited to give the remarks reserved for a …
Another fall from grace. Another moment to reflect upon those who have been in positions of power, or positions of public admiration and fallen. Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and second in succession for the presidency, was sentenced to more than one year in prison for violating banking laws in a hush money scheme t …
Here's how the story came to me. My brother-in-law was waiting in his car on line at his local gas station. Apparently, there is a time honored method to the queue at this particular station. My brother-in-law is very mild mannered, so I imagine that he never expected what was to come next. A car pulled up next to him and the driver rolled down hi …
We were in Washington last weekend and visited a wonderful exhibit at the Renwick Gallery, a small gallery near the White House dedicated to the crafts. The exhibit was "Wonder" and explored and evoked in me (and, if the purpose of the exhibit was realized, in others), the reaction, response, and significance of wonder. "It is not understanding tha …
Sometimes there are things that are right before your eyes, but you never notice. Or you never realize what you're looking at...or exactly what it means. Also, you're never too old to learn something new. That's how I felt a few months ago when I learned that the little gas pump symbol on your car's dashboard has a little arrow that tells you wh …
There is no doubt that the picture accompanying this blog is worth a thousand words. It is a picture of my mother holding her newest great grandson a few days ago. Four generations in a single picture. (Yes, although not immediately visible, I am in that chain from my mother to my grandson.) It is a beautiful picture. One that I will cherish foreve …
Sidney Rosen passed away last weekend, a day after his 92nd birthday. Many in our Gotham family had met Sidney over the years as he accompanied my mother to Gotham events. Mom and Sidney had twelve wonderful years together -- sharing their love, companionship, friends and families. They both grew and blossomed over those years. There ought to be a …
