Being from the pre Baby Boomer Silent (who knew) Generation there have been many big changes over my lifetime. For instance: 1) Computers, the Internet-social media2) No Smoking in restaurants, etc.3) Legalized Abortion4) integration (Obama)5) Gay rights6) World wide economy (foreign cars)7) Beatles-Stones8) Global warming (flooding)9) Cable TV10) …
Over this past raw and rainy weekend I engaged in annual Fall rituals brought on by the change in what had been a wonderful long stretch of dreamy weather. I brought in the out door furniture, wore long pants and a jacket, swam my last laps, took a long drive on a leafy highway and rotated my closets. And, most significantly, Joanne turned on the …
The Pope's visit evoked memories. My mother was Catholic and she baptized me. In 1963 I visited the Vatican and bought a St. Christopher's medal for my mom. I kept a diary and on 7/14/63 I wrote that I then "went to St. Peter's Square to get it blessed along with countless others. At precisely 12 noon the window opened and Pope Paul appeared dresse …
Three is my lucky number. They say things happen in threes and in that regard this has been a very fortunate year for me: 1) I was honored by Vincent Russo's Theresa Foundation this Spring, 2) designated as the Friars Club Friar of the Year soon thereafter and 3) I pitched Gotham's Batmen softball team to its first Championship this Summer (It's …
I spied the above photo recently on Facebook. It rang true. What could be better than a picture of an Oracle dispensing his hard earned wisdom: I'm suspicious of people who don't like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn't like a person. I am a reformed dog hater. My reformation occurred upon the advent two years ago of our wonderful Schnoodle Cha …
Something that can make a defining difference in one's life is drive. Drive might not make one happy, but it helps make one be the best that they can be and enhances the prospect of success (and happiness). I didn't have much drive when I was coming up and there were a number of disappointments and failures along the way. At some point, however, I' …
Following up on last week's blog, I was honored last Friday by the Russo family Theresa Foundation. One of the honoree responsibilities is to help raise donations to the Foundation. I am very pleased to report that with the help of our Gotham Networking Tribe we broke the previous record by 25%. This was very satisfying and I thank everyone involv …
I had the poignant experience of attending Gotham member Jack Friedman's funeral last Sunday. It was so well attended that the room was overflowing with humanity. My impression of the man was confirmed by the eulogies of his friends, relatives, wife and children. He was a very decent, friendly, nice, giving, collegial and potent man. Driving home, …
We recently had a house guest who inspired the above title. She gave real life meaning to the expression "she gives as much as she takes". Prior to her arrival we were the appreciative recipients of a bountiful Zabar's Gift Basket (truly a fine artful lodger's touch). She lived in our guest room in the manner of an appreciative family member (witho …
In early March Gotham will reach the recognized good luck number of 18 years in age. The time has zoomed by as we have had so much fun in the exercise of our giving spirit which has boomerangedback with ample psychic compensation. Back in 1997 Nancy and I had a notion, but no plan and nary an expectation of what was to come. Fellow pioneers: 1) S …
My Friday With Fred blog appears in this space weekly and, theoretically, there is attendant deadline pressure. A deadline is a date or time on or before which something must be completed. When I was young I oft times failed to meet deadlines. As a consequence I paid many a price and learned my lesson. Now my reaction to a deadline is to stay ahe …
I was born in 1942 and some of my earliest trackable memories were about Jackie Robinson (his World altering debut-Rookie Year was in1947) and people exclaiming "As quick as Jackie Robinson". However, my first tangible memories were of "Uncle Miltie" in the late 40s and "I Love Lucy" in the early 50s. TV was new then and a sensation. We were even e …
Did you ever ponder how long you will live and how much time is left? I do and I try to trick myself by saying that I'm going to live to 100. Both my parents lived to 86 and neither was as physically fit as I work to be. So I like to believe I'm on track. Having said that another trick is to be in the moment and enjoy life to its fullest. But the …
We recently flew out of LaGuardia on Delta and I was amazed by the upscale 21st Century Delta Terminal. We usually fly American from LAG and the contrast was shocking. Shocking! Now I know why LaGuardia has been called a third World airport. Maybe American is third World, but not Delta. Plus Delta has direct flights to Key West!
My son David has had a female Schnoodle dog named Lucy for about 4 years. A Schnoodle is hyper allergenic, i.e., has hair not fur and therefore doesn't cause one to sneeze, etc. 2 Summers ago David prevailed upon us to get one too and we did so. As many know, Charcoal is her name and as I have previously blogged, she converted me into a dog lover. …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend