As I tore myself away from CNN to write this blog, a zipper across the screen reported that power would be restored in eastern Florida by this weekend and in western Florida by September 22nd. I reflected. That's about the length of time that it took to restore electricity to our home after Sandy. Empathy. "The capacity to understand or feel wh …
One of our annual traditions on Martha's Vineyard are challenge matches of Skee Ball and Air Hockey. So, after dinner nearby, Flo and I made our way up Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs to Ryan's Amusement Center. Our ferocious games of air hockey drew a crowd of young onlookers and we left the hockey table for them as we moved to Skee Ball -- our real …
There's a great (and famous) diner in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard. It's been around since the 1940's where Art and Cliff parked their truck on a lot a few hundred feet from Five Corners. The decor is reminiscent of the era of the diner's birth and the metallic menu signs over the counter offer such specialties as "Tendernived Steak" for $1.25 …
I was going to blog about our star -- the Sun -- and the eclipse. Where was I, where were you? But there was another "star" on Monday worth noting. At a concert at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, Billy Joel wore a yellow Star of David (actually, he wore two -- one in front and one on his back) reminiscent of the Stars of David that Jew …
It is against the backdrop of our day to day routines and the challenges of these interesting times, that I look forward to Monday's solar eclipse. My daughter and son-in-law are heading south to be in the Path of Totality. I'll settle for the partial eclipse here in New York. As I ponder the upcoming astronomical event (some say, of a lifetime), …
The other evening, we visited the Museum of Jewish Heritage A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Battery Park to see the new exhibition on the capture and trial of Adolf Eichmann. The Museum is a special place in a special part of the City. On our way to the exhibition, I found myself before the display describing the plight of the SS St. Louis. I …
Welcome August. I love the month of August. It's my birth month (which I proudly share, both month and day, with fellow Gothamite, Lisa Waterman). I'm a summer person. Perhaps it has something to do with the timing of my birth. I like the heat of August and the cooler nights that descend as the month moves to September. August is ocean and sand …
The recent report confirmed what was generally believed. Football is dangerous. Brain damage was found in 99% of the professional players whose brains were studied post-mortem. Even providing for statistical variations, the results seem clear and are troubling. The NFL will, no doubt, take steps to address the problem -- changes to rules …
It was a perfect summer night for an outdoor concert at Jones Beach. As Rod Stewart expressed during the concert, it was much preferred to the rain that poured on one of his last concerts at the venue. I usually walk away from a concert with an ear worm--that lingering, repeating lyric that won't go away. "I wish that I knew what I know now, …
It wasn't exactly a scene from The Birds, but it was bad. We had a sense, but the full impact was not felt for days. We decided to go down to the beach one evening to try out the restaurant at TOBAY that is under new management. The write-up in the press made it seem worthwhile. So, after a walk on the Boardwalk at Jones Beach, we drove east along …
We packed a deck of cards, Scrabble and books for our long holiday weekend in the Berkshires. The weather app was predicting a likelihood of rain and we wanted to be prepared. The cards, Scrabble and books came home unused. With the exception of brief localized thunderstorms in late afternoon on two days, the weather was perfect. Maybe I read …
I met Bill a few months ago. Or, I should say, I reconnected with Bill at our 50th High School reunion a few months ago. When I heard that Bill played golf, I parked that bit of information in the back of my mind in anticipation of Gotham's annual golf outing. As the Golf outing, which was held on Monday, approached, I thought of Bill and invited …
Last weekend, Alexandria, Virginia. I followed as Flo and Jackson, our 4 and a half year old grandson, got on the free "Trolley" that makes its way up and down King Street in Old Town. Flo found a seat on the front bench next to a pleasant looking woman with her child. They made room for Jackson on the bench as the Trolley started moving. The …
First, I was just always around to see my Father. Then I was taken to see my Father. I was then reminded to see my Father. I then remembered to see him on my own. I then looked forward to seeing my Father. I became a Father and they came to see me. And now they are fathers and ......
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 …
