I sometimes find myself in a situation where I have to make excuses for someone else. Awkward. Depending on the situation, I’ll sometimes offer that I have enough trouble making excuses for myself, let alone others.We were sitting at a table on the sidewalk outside a cafe in Great Barrington enjoying a pastry and watching people walk by. A couple s …
There’s an old Yiddish expression (aren’t all Yiddish expressions “old”?) - “Man plans and God laughs.”As we come out of the restrictions of the pandemic, we are planning more. And the results are mixed.Plans are changed by last-minute (and unanticipated) Covid. Airline travel is iffy and then, there’s always the weather.So, as we make our plans, r …
The other day I listened as a news commentator corrected information related in a prior broadcast. He mentioned his earlier statement and offered the corrected version.During the course of his colloquy, he added that he “mis-spoke”.I thought about the word “mis-spoke”. It is a term that I have heard used more-frequently lately.Does “mis-spoke” mean …
We all need validation. When it comes, it is often unexpected.I was on line at SoCo, the ice cream shop on Railroad Street in Great Barrington - the best ice cream in the Berkshires- and had just ordered my favorite- Madagascar Vanilla ice cream and Pacific Northwest Raspberry Sorbet.Behind me I heard, “May I have vanilla ice cream and raspberry so …
Summer dining. Eating outdoors. A phenomenon born of the pandemic that seems to have caught on.On streets and in parking lots. The views vary. The background noise drowns out the dinner conversation.Eating outdoors. The reasons vary. Safety. Romantic. European.Are you eating out….doors?
I first noticed the bird’s nest about a week ago. It is on a low branch, nestled against the trunk, about eight feet up.Three heads were visible - a mother and two little ones.I observed them for a few days as the three of them sat in the nest. The mother guarding while the babies grew.And then the mother left the nest and walked up the branch. It …
I first noticed the bird’s nest about a week ago. It is on a low branch, nestled against the trunk, about eight feet up.Three heads were visible - a mother and two little ones.I observed them for a few days as the three of them sat in the nest. The mother guarding while the babies grew.And then the mother left the nest and walked up the branch. It …
There was so much hype about the Strawberry Moon that was making an appearance over the last few days, that we were determined to view the promised spectacle.We are very amateur at moon gazing and only considered clouds as the impediment to our plans. How wonderful that the night sky would be virtually cloudless. But we soon learned of two addition …
We were nearby and had an hour before dinner at a restaurant we haven’t been to in over two years. So, we decided to take a walk to the hotel on West 48th Street in Hell’s Kitchen. We have a long history with the hotel and had stayed there many times over the years. Our last stay was in February of 2020, a few weeks before the lockdown.We expected …
Deadlines. We all have them and we all need them. Whether self imposed or imposed upon us by others. How we deal with them makes all of the difference — from feeling in control to feeling overwhelmed.I try to plan and anticipate deadlines. Sometimes successfully and sometimes less so.So, I ask, how do you handle deadlines?
It was the beautiful chirping sounds of birds that woke me the other morning. A symphonic cacophony. It is that special time of year here on Long Island when you can leave your windows open at night and enjoy the cool night air… and the birds as the sun rises.I admit that they wake me a bit earlier than I might prefer, but I really can’t blame the …
Recently, I had a massage and I learned a lesson. The massage was nice. The message was significant.As the massage started, I found myself thinking about what the therapist would do next. Expectations took over my thoughts….until I realized that I wasn’t enjoying the massage and that, perhaps, I should let go and allow the therapist to do her thing …
About once a week I receive a copy of the Vineyard Gazette in the mail. It’s the local newspaper from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.We’ve been visiting the Vineyard for years and, for the limited time we spend there, we consider it one of our homes away from home. We always read the Gazette when we are on the Vineyard. Many years ago I felt it w …
The other day a guided meditation asked me to consider the teachers in my life.As I focused on my breathing, I searched for the single person who stood out in my mind as being nurturing, encouraging and a guide on my journey.I searched my memory bank and one of my college professors came through clearly. But I couldn’t think of anyone from earlier …
We approached the door to leave the store as a young man and woman were entering.He held the door for his friend as she entered and then motioned for us to come through the door as he held it open. As I said thank you for his courtesy, I noticed the “Wrestling” on his T Shirt and asked him where he wrestled.He wrestled for the local high school and …
