I am Jewish. I am an Ashkenazi Jew. One of my father’s core religious beliefs, however, was that everyone should follow their religion in their own way. My father was raised Orthodox, yet he chose to raise his family in a conservative manner. This week we celebrate Passover and follow certain dietary restrictions. While I attended law school on …
I sat in court last week next to a younger colleague who I’ve known professionally for several years. We have never socialized, only speaking to one another when we happen to see one another in court. Sitting in the courtroom, he began to tell me about a personal dilemma he was experiencing. At first I was flattered that he felt he could share th …
Lately I have been exploring meditation and yoga. During every session, the instructor asks the participants to set an intention for the day or think of a word that will guide us through our day. Almost every time the word “balance,” comes to my mind. In our hectic, continuously plugged in life finding balance can be an elusive goal. I have been …
I have written several blogs about ads for certain products “magically” appearing on my Facebook or Instagram feed after I spoke about them. For example, a Van Cleef & Arpels ad had popped up on my Instagram feed after my son and I discussed a necklace he was thinking of purchasing. I questioned, in those blogs, whether my devices were actuall …
Anyone who knows me, knows that I believe that we all need to take vacations. We all work hard. For me, vacations are critical to recharge, our bodies, minds and souls. My husband and I have recently been discussing how to maintain that sense of calmness we feel after a vacation. We have used the term vacation afterglow and discuss often how to …
My Dad loved to sing. And he had a beautiful voice. He grew up on the lower east side in an Orthodox Jewish community. He often told us that his parents urged him to become a Cantor. But he had no interest in that. My Dad limited his singing to our home. He never sang publicly. But he sang often. He loved to sing songs made popular from the B …
A friend of ours recently received a daunting diagnosis. The way his two adult daughters are reacting to the diagnosis are profoundly different. One is optimistic believing that, with the right treatment, he will be okay. The other feels that she is being more realistic in terms of the effect of this diagnosis. I do not know which daughter is right …
I was watching the movie Vengeance this week and, in the opening scenes, two male characters are discussing commitment. Their view on commitment was essentially, in this time of social media and instant gratification, why should they have to commit to anything? With endless options at their fingertips, why commit to personal relationships or long t …
Every relationship comes with its quirks—those little habits that might drive our partner up the wall. At first, these habits might seem insignificant, but over time, they can test patience. Yet, those that love us, or those we love, see our quirks and choose to love us anyway. My husband is almost phobic about anyone or anything touching his eye …
I have to admit that I am jealous of my husband. We can walk into a restaurant and he can order a French onion soup, with extra cheese, a steak with all the trimmings—loaded baked potato and rolls with butter. No second thoughts, no sideways glances from the waiter. He’s able to indulge and clearly enjoy doing it. I, on the other hand, will gen …
I visited the Queens group last week. As an aside, it’s a great group and everyone should stop by. Before the meeting started, everyone was chatting. Two members of the group were discussing their affinity for running. Trying to join their conversation, I mentioned that I enjoy walking on the treadmill. Being among people I did not know very well …
I love to read. For as long as I can remember, reading has always been my greatest escape, a doorway to worlds unknown and stories untold. I can easily read one book a week, most often before I go to sleep. Although, during football season I can read all day while my husband watches football. My husband, however, is the polar opposite, preferring …
I shared one of my favorite Gotham experiences at a Gotham meeting this past week. Fred urged me to share it in a blog. And, after some thought, I agreed. Several years ago, I was hired to represent a woman in a divorce action who owned a second home in a secluded county in North Carolina. She wanted to buy out her husband’s interest in the home …
It's Monday, Monday. Let me know what you think about. . .
