I've been telling friends and colleagues I am free to accept certain appointment without checking first this weekend (and a few days before and after because I am (temporarily) a bachelor. A friend liked my response to a a group text invite to a bagel breakfast that likely took place before most (other than Friday's blogger) read this commentary today ("I'm a bachelor this weekend so easy to accept.")

This story gives new meaning to catching the big one.   While on a fishing trip with her family in late July, Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor reeled in a big catch...about 70 pounds of cocaine valued at some $1.1 million dollars.   The mayor told the Tampa Bay Times that the drugs were found in a package adrift in the Atlantic Ocean as she and other family members were fishing for mahi-mahi from a boat.  

We have a 10 year old female Schnoodle (mixed breed Schnauzer/Poodle) appropriately named Charcoal by my wife Joanne.  

Have you ever listened to the soundtrack to a movie without the movie?We had the privilege of being at Tanglewood last Saturday for John Williams’ Film Night with the Boston Pops.As I listened to the music, my daughter’s words of so many years ago resonated

I find it hard to truly relax. My mind is always on overdrive. Between work, social activities, family business, worrying about my kids (grown adults) and trying to carve out some quality time for my honey and my puppy, it seems "I" get lost in the crunch.    Everyone chime in on tips to help me mentally disconnect and just be....

This feels like the old days of blogs when Don Bernstein would start us off with a story line and we would each move the story forward one day at a time.   Now I’m picking up from Rona’s blog picking up from Fred’s blog.

I want to follow up with Fred’s blog from Friday. He wrote a thoughtful blog about the power of restraint. Essentially, Fred observed, that often it is just better to “restrain [yourself] in the face of real provocation or perceived provocation.”   

Last weekend was all about family.  My brother, Robby got married to Jen Coleman.   We enjoyed an intimate rehearsal on the night before.   Jen's brother officiated. The event included a Gotham connection. Brett Deutsch served as photographer (as he did for Rob's nephew aka my son Jonathan).