Neither of my parents graduated high school and my mother made it a priority that I attend college. She acted as if she hit the lottery when I graduated law school :)I graduated Syracuse University in 1963, Joanne attended for 2 years before coming home as prelude to our marriage and our son Alex graduated in 1993. One might say that orange blood c …
Yes, I am happy to be home safe and sound, but parting is such sweet sorrow. We have reveled in Paradise for 4 months and Paradise Lost is not an easy read or feeling. See you soon!
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 really can’t explain its genesis, but twice a day I post a somewhat difficult to identify photo of a famous person on Facebook and my followers vie to be the first to guess who it is and earn a Bingo photo. Truth be told, the competition is fierce and it’s as if I’m riding a whirlwind. For whatever the reason, many are quick to hazard a guess …
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” …
Whatever the pluses and minuses may be, Social Media has potent, unprecedented power. How else could Zelensky have bravely proclaimed for all the World to hear and admire “I need ammunition, not a ride”? Nobel Peace Prize!
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 …
The hit Netflix crime drama Ozark is, hands down, the best streaming series on TV! And Julia Garner is a transcendent star! Her Fbomb laden hillbilly delivery just must be experienced. And once she is in your head you are seriously hooked. Yes there are bigger names in the star laden cast (check it out) and the dark, nearly unreal scary sce …
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 …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend