Residing at the southern most point of the continental USA I am constantly confronted by the unaccustomed south land salutation of SIR. I hear it all the time and I look around and discern that it is directed at me. When I question why SIR I am told it is an expression of respect (to an older man). Well you can imagine how that sits with me! Then …
In today’s technologically sophisticated world there are myriad channels of communication. To me, the best and most basic manner of communication is talking face to face, where you can look someone directly in the face and discern facial expressions (“Tells”) while taking in the words, gestures and eye contact. My father’s number one rule of inte …
My feet have been supporting me (so far) to the 80 Mile Marker and, truth be told, they are worse for wear. Rough going to say the least! One day Joanne was going for a manicure/pedicure and being familiar with my feet asked if I’d like to come along and I was game. We went to Amri Day Spa at 1204 Simonton Street in Key West and so …
Did you ever invite someone to dinner and your guest proceeds to order the most expensive steak entree on the menu? It happened to me recently and after getting over my initial penurious shock I was actually and genuinely impressed with the guest’s self possessed chutzpah! So it goes…
Wednesday was my 80th Birthday! 80 is a nice (yes nice) round number which I have been mulling daily throughout my 80th year. Rather than be daunted by it, I am proud of it and hear myself proclaiming my age often. Why not? It is what it is. A number. A mile marker (thank you Erin McKenna and Guy deBoer for the annual ride) along my life journey …
I recently had an interesting conversation with friends about tipping. Before I relate the conversation , it is useful to explain that “tip” is an acronym for To Insure Promptitude and the custom originated in Europe and is traced back to 17th century England. Whatever it’s origins, tipping has become an integral way of life and sustenance in our …
Last night we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Gotham’s very first meeting. Imagine, our inception was in the previous century!So much good has occurred over those many years. So much business has been generated. So many lifetime friendships inspired. So many have lived our “It’s better to give than receive, but what goes around comes around” …
I can’t explain it, but most days I’m friendly. I encounter a person and am compelled to strike up a conversation and then find common ground and then explore similarities and experiences. Before I know it we are “fast friends”. People have remarked upon this conduct. Some positive, some wonder and some negative. Whatever the source, I c …
Do you remember The Invisible Man? In that H.G. Wells book a scientist invents a way to become invisible. Well today our youth oriented society has relegated many of my vintage to virtual, if not actual, invisible status :( Have you ever noticed how many people look through or just ignore you? Have you ever noticed how older people have adopted t …
Before the Stoned Age, in my college Freshman year I met Stuie and we became fast friends. I mean Hardy Boys friends! We had so many incredible adventures which are not appropriate to describe in a Family newspaper (despite the fact that the Statute of Limitations has expired) :) We are original members of the Charter Syracuse University Bad Boys …
I’m a slave to Routine! For example, see last week’s Friday With Fred blog Cafe’ Con Leche :) Am I OCD? Who’s to say? One person’s poison is another person’s medicine :) I was once very lazy and came to the realization that I needed a reformation. In the process of reforming myself I developed a daily morning through night routine which serves …
My friend’s daughter Allison calls me “Uncle Fred” and she’s in her last year of Girl Scouts and she’s got it in her head that she wants to go out in a flourish and what better way than to set the record for Girl Scout Cookie sales! Being a good “Uncle”, I’m all in and, of course, gave her an order, but then last Friday her dad was on our weekl …
The thing that makes me most anxious is flying :(Not the fear of flying (crashing), but the days before agony of worrying about COVID, the weather, cancellations, delays or diversion. The sleepless night before. The too early wake up, the getting to the airport early, waiting on line for boarding passes, checking your bags, clearing security, the …
Our granddaughter Maggie came home from college for the holidays last week and stayed with us due to illness in her home. Her stay was highlighted by our parenting her through previously scheduled LASIK eye surgery. Was she nervous? Was there anxiety? Were there thoughts of backing out? Of course! She’s so down to earth. So human. So natural …
One of my favorite “getting to know you” conversational tools is to ask a person to tell me their life story in 5 minutes or less and then listen intently for reusable nuggets. An ancillary benefit is, if the person is worthy, he or she would then ask me to tell mine. Try it. You’ll like it :)
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend