It was a large group -- about forty people -- invited to cocktails in the penthouse apartment on the sixteenth floor with a nice view of the city (not New York). The sole elevator came down to the lobby to carry a second group to the penthouse. We watched as the elevator loaded. It looked a little too crowded. We weren't going to make it on for …
A friend of mine was riding his bicycle, albeit in the “wrong” direction, in a bike lane in the City a few weeks ago. He was stopped by a policeman for riding the wrong way and was asked for identification. Unfortunately, my friend didn't have any identification on him or in his bike pack. One thing led to another -- although I have no reason t …
Well, they seem to be working. The cameras in school zones that generate tickets for exceeding the school zone speed limit. There is one such zone on a road that I travel very frequently. After the initial onslaught of tickets, and the publicity about the cameras, motorists being caught unaware and early flaws resulting in many, many unwarrante …
To all who celebrate the new year, best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year. Before holidays, and at other times as the spirit moves us, Flo and I make apple sauce. Natural, no artificial ingredients -- the perfect comfort food. I do the prep work. The coring, peeling and chopping. If they’re not prepped right, the apple sauce will not be …
It's been a long time coming, but, to echo Ella Fitzgerald, “Bye, Bye, Blackberry”. Until recently, I’ve been in denial of the imminent demise of my Blackberry. In the face of those around me -- mostly former Blackberry users -- who scoffed at the device in my hands, I held on (literally) to my trusted Blackberry 9000. But loyalty and the ease o …
I was on line in the bagel store and noticed the fixtures in the ceiling. Video cameras in the bagel store. I wondered why. I hadn't heard of any robberies. Was the owner keeping an eye on the employees? Cameras tracking (and ticketing) red lights and speed in school zones. A good idea for safety, although I am skeptical of the motivation, espec …
Like many others, we are back from an end-of-summer vacation. Last week, we were at one of our favorite places -- Martha’s Vineyard -- to which we have returned almost every summer for many, many years. When we go to MV, there’s a “Happy Ferry” which takes you to the Vineyard and a “Sad Ferry” which takes you back to the mainland. As we pa …
My son, Charles, got me a Jawbone for my birthday. I wear it on my wrist. No, not that kind of jawbone! This one syncs to my iPhone, has an app, and will keep me healthy. (I hope.) Even the recitation of the words with new meanings makes me nostalgic for my Timex and running logbook of old. However one must get with the program. Jawbone is one …
Yesterday was my birthday and it was a Happy One! I was apprehensive about my birthday falling during Blog Happiness Week because I knew that it would have to find its way into my blog. This was one of the big ones -- when the government, movie theaters, and NYC MTA start to look at you differently. My sister -- many years my junior -- captured …
Unfortunately, for me, there is no comic relief. I am looking for it, but can’t find it. I remember them -- Whoopi, Billy and Robin --at Shea Stadium in their Comic Relief T Shirts, putting a smile on every face in the place. But the memory, or a You Tube video, won't bring a smile to my face. Not now, not yet, maybe someday. The old clips onl …
I am following up on Erik's blog of yesterday which brought into question the amount paid to Judge Judy -- the highest paid TV personality -- and Vik's comment that it was “Free market”. (OK, Vik said “Free market, baby!”). Leaving TV personalities aside, in the world where I spend a great deal of my time -- the highly-regulated world of health …
I may have to stop second-guessing my GPS. I recently was instructed by my GPS to take what seemed to me to be a roundabout way to get on a nearby highway. Ignoring the GPS suggestion, I took my more-direct route and was shocked into humble reality when I saw that my “more-direct” route was snarled in stop and go traffic. As I wound my way thro …
The Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah on the westernmost tip of Martha’s Vineyard is being moved inland. The historic lighthouse, which has stood on its present spot since 1856, is in danger of falling into the sea as the cliffs to its north and west are eroding. By the experts' estimate, the move will keep the Lighthouse safe from the eroding cl …
Lyrics have been abounding in recent blogs. No lyrics (except for two lines later) but I will share my special regards for one of the music icons of my generation. We saw James Taylor at Jones Beach last night. We also saw him in the Berkshires less than two weeks ago at his annual July 4th concert at Tanglewood. We have seen him many times over …
I had never experienced this before and hope to never experience it again. We were driving upstate before the holiday weekend and were caught in a hailstorm. Suddenly, dark clouds, a sudden ever-increasing rain and then - pings. Small at first, then larger - bangs, thuds. Nowhere to pull off the highway. No underpass. Finally a small clearing on th …
