Last weekend there was an article in Newsday about a kidney donor which drew tears to my eyes and evoked memories of Gothamite Cindy Somma winning Gotham’s highest honor, the Red Bandanna Award for donating her kidney.  After sending her the pictured article I telephoned Cindy and asked her to share her experience with me (us). What she related follows and is compelling to say the least.  It all started when she learned that her second cousin’s dialysis was failing and her family was seeking a kidney donor.   

We all need validation.

The summer song is one of music’s biggest joys.  A summer hit dominates parties, barbecues, pools, discos, raves, and car radios.  The memories of the best songs from the 1960’s to today stay implanted in our brains and become ear worms that are hard to shake.  

Summertime cries out for a good book – well, add a beach and a glass of wine, but still with a good book.  

Everyone seems to have their summer “Happy Place.” For several of my friends it’s on their boats, out in the beautiful waters of Long Island, and feeling the breeze in their hair. For others, it’s on the beach, at a cabana, enjoying the smell of the sea air and feeling the sand between their toes.   For me, my summer “Happy Place,” is in my backyard, sitting on my lounge chair by my pool, enjoying a trashy novel. And what makes it even better is a view of my husband at the bar-b-que cooking dinner.

About a week after Father’s Day, tree dropping that require frequent if not daily sweeping, virtually stops; it “allows” me to drop a fresh layer of red mulch in our yard. It gives a nice look to the yard.

Here's a did you know... July 1st is International Joke Day.    It was started in 1994 by Wayne Reinagel, an author and graphic artist who wanted to bring some levity to the halfway point of the year. He was known mostly for pulp fiction, but did publish some books of jokes. He wanted people around the world to share their favorite jokes and celebrate with laughter.   So here's a couple to start us off:   A horse walks into a bar and the bartender says "Why the long face?"  

I admit it, I’m so tired of wearing a mask!Forget about forgetting to carry one.