You can't make this stuff up!A while back I was minding my own business when I received an out of the blue call from someone who claimed his father had died and that he went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to turn in his dad's car plates. He claimed he discovered later that a one digit mistake had been made and that rather than his father's, m …
We have a Citi Bank-American Airlines credit card (see photo above) As you may have guessed, we chose it for the "miles" as our favorite destination is on the AA system. We use it frequently enough so that the accumulated miles are not forfeited over time. It works for us, but I wonder...are we missing out? Are there better deals out there? Ar …
Last Saturday we returned to timeless earthly labor and planted our vegetable garden. This was the first time in memory that I participated and, truth be told, 3/4 of the work was done by Joanne. Usually she engages in this annual ritual with our son Alex. However, he was unavailable and I was drafted to substitute. We started with an early mor …
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When I was young the following terms and expressions did not exist: World Class Arm candy It is what it is WTF Texting Social Media Hip Hop or Rap Metro sexual Booty (call) Internet Tennis elbow POTUS Jet set iPhone Bottled water LGBTQ Cable On line Red light camera Viagra Hip and knee-replacement Bike helmets Seat belts Hooking up Metal bats Fed …
Jealousy is defined as feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success or advantages. I think it's only human to be jealous. And I admit to having harbored that feeling many times over my life. However, for whatever the reason, as I get older I seem to suffer those pangs far less often. Maybe jealousy springs from …
On Wednesday I passed another mile marker (see photo taken by Rodger Davis). They say "It's just a number" and "You look good". Well, the number is a very heavy mental weight which hangs over me and is never far from my thoughts. I just can't really believe it. Nor can I believe Joanne and I will be married 50 years in July. I work very hard t …
Last Saturday we were booked with American Airlines to fly home from vacation. Between the time of the original booking and the flight American changed the flight times, narrowing our connecting flight buffer to 51 minutes. I was up half the night before worrying about the potential for missing the connection, but in my wildest anxiety I could n …
Movement is defined as an act of changing physical location or position or of having things changed. Also as a group of people working together to advance their shared political, social or artistic ideas. In this time of great social, economic, artistic and political movements I want to protest a mostly involuntary movement which effects society …
My work cohort and/or Assistant is Dana Zarro (née Crohn). We have been together since the early 1970s. See photo above of us back in the day. We Lifers have lots in common. Not the least of which is that we are both Left handed and love dogs (although I came to that later than she). You may be familiar with Dana as Gotham's new member applic …
Recently I experienced a funeral at Pinelawn National Cemetery on a freezing, desolate, snowy day. The deceased was a Navy veteran and he was honored with a military funeral. The casket was draped by a flag of large Stars and Stripes. A Naval bugler blew forlorn taps away from the casket and into the swirling wind. Once Day Was Done the two s …
I try not to live in or dwell on the past. I seek to be in the moment and make my memories. Memories like my recent trip to Cuba where everything was old, but new to me. A unique entry into the Twilight Zone. You never get a second chance to make or have a positive first impression and realizing that I wallowed in the moment. The Lesson learne …
My father taught that "There's nothing new under the sun"and Dylan recently said that after listening to folk songs repeatedly as a young man that "They gave me the code for everything that's fair game and that everything belongs to everyone". So, based upon the above oracles I conclude that creativity is inspired by what we experience, take in, di …
Last week we visited Cuba for 6 days. It was my first visit, but back in the day my Damon Runyon character dad was a frequent gambling visitor to Havana and was on the last flight out in the final moments of Castro's revolution. At the outset it was a trying experience as the plane was hours late and when we were all finally on the plane the crew …
After 18 years of existence I venture to say that our Gotham Tribe is pretty amazing!Our unique giving culture has resulted in countless fruitful and sometimes miraculous results. Having said that, there is one draw back: We are sometimes too humble and we keep the good deeds between ourselves and the involved parties. In my opinion what we need …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend