As a young child my family took me to Miami Beach. We stayed at the Neptune Resort Motel, which, I recently learned, was on Collins Avenue at 159th Street in the long-since demolished Motel Row (and has been replaced by high-rise condos). Our trips were an annual family vacation ritual. Until a few weeks ago, when we stayed at a hotel …
Did you continue a tradition for celebrating Valentine’s Day?The other day the New York Times reported on an alternate Valentine’s Day tradition. The San Antonio Zoo runs a fundraiser in which you can symbolically name a roach or rodent that would be fed to one of the zoo’s animals. The opportunity to acknowledge someone on Valentine’s Day to whom …
We were at an upscale Japanese restaurant in South Beach. Very good food. Pricey.The choice of sake started with a sake at $60 for a carafe of about 300 ml. We ordered it.We loved the sake. As we left, I asked the waiter for the name of the sake we had enjoyed. It was “Dassai 45”.Weeks later we were at our local sushi restaurant. We asked our waitr …
Every person is a universe and every universe has it's mysteries.Flo met Dana at the Jewish Museum in Miami Beach. She followed us into the museum and immediately caught Flo’s eye. She had the air about her that invited Flo to ask “Are you okay?”Dana looked at Flo and asked“Can you give me a hug?”After the thank you for the hug, Dana explained that …
We had a problem with the humidifier in our central heating system. No humidity. Simply no water getting into the humidifier.We called our trusted longtime HVAC engineer - Andy - and made an appointment for a checkup.At the appointed time, Andy was sick and sent a young man who was filling in for the day.After an analysis, we were told that we nee …
AI probably affects me more than I know and in ways I most likely don’t understand. But I’ve never really gone out to engage it.So when I visited a friend who I know is really into AI, I wasn’t surprised when he offered a demonstration. We got into an involved conversation about current issues in healthcare and he took out his smartphone and aske …
I don’t think of it as a resolution. I think of it as self-defense. I am determined to cut back on the news, especially the political news. With the upcoming election and the incessant coverage of every twist turn speculation and prediction, I am convinced that the news is bad for my health. My hope is that I can become a c …
The other day, I looked out our bedroom window and was shocked to see our neighbor’s backyard. They had cut down the trees along the back fence.Trees that had dominated our view for so long.Trees that had shaded us in summer.Trees that were home and a resting spot to the birds that I feed every morning.The trees are gone.Sadly.But I have faith in n …
Too many books. Or, perhaps, no room for all the books.We have many books and not enough bookshelves.And as we consider our books, we ask many questions:Do we need them all?Will we ever read them all?Where did they all come from?And, we face the dilemma of what to do with the books we no longer wish to keep.We have found that libraries are no longe …
We attended the Winter concert of the National Children’s Chorus.Our seven-year-old grandson, who recently found his voice and has been rehearsing with the chorus for a few months, was our reason to make the trip to the City for the performance.In addition to witnessing his first performance, we watched the more-advanced performers.And what impress …
It was raining and I noticed the worm in the shallow puddle formed on the pavement.I wondered about the worm as it moved through the water. The puddle would dry with the worm stranded without a path off the pavement.I was taught to observe nature and not interfere with it.Do I rescue the worm or leave it to its fate?After a few moments thought, I f …
Do you water plants on a regular basis - like once a week? Or, do you water “as needed”?I generally water my plants once a week, on Thursdays.But sometimes a plant cries out for water. And I water off schedule.And sometimes, the crying out for water leads you to overwatering.“On schedule”’or “as needed” ? Somehow I feel that this choice applies to …
One of the great things about blogging on Thursdays I that I always get to blog on Thanksgiving...... To all in the Gotham Family..... Surround yourselves with people you love, give Thanks, and take an extra moment to pray for Peace. Happy Thanksgiving
Texts versus emails - is that the question?It has become increasingly clear to me that, if you really need to get in touch with someone, texting is more effective than email. The reasons abound. I even find myself texting someone to tell them that I sent them an email.There was a time when it was acceptable to not share your cellphone number. Covid …
What’s in a name?My last name has always been a challenge of sorts. Hard to spell, difficult to pronounce and, given its meaning in German— roughly translated to “cheapskate” — a chuckle or two from people who know German.What I didn’t know, until recently, is that the name saved my life (well, actually, my father’s life and, by extension, mine).Wh …
