I used to get in trouble for talking in class when I was in grade school. In high school, my German teacher gave me detention for talking too much in class. Although she said, we could talk as much as we wanted, as long as it was in German. She lied. In college, I taught aerobics and kickboxing-now I was shouting for an hour straight! Maybe talking in class is a sign of some other skill set? My son is a talker. He could talk the ears off a brass monkey. Hmmmmm.. The art of communication. The art of framing thoughts and crafting argument through linear dialogue.

  It was one of those crazy commutes this morning. At every turn, something went wrong – and I had to be at a meeting at 10 am. I hate those pressure filled kind of mornings.

As I sat down to write this blog, I had no idea as to what I would write about.  I started surfing the net for inspiration but found much of the news, especially that out of Virginia Beach, upsetting and  depressing.  

As Summer approaches I traditionally look forward to posting a list of free concerts by originals artists. I viewed the Long Island listings and found a bevy of cover bands, many in rock genres I enjoy. At this time, I remain unready to lock in dates the way I might if I bought tickets for a show.

It's a sign of acknowledgment, a job well done or a friendly expression of love. If you need one you might want to head over to Ireland where more than 800 students at an Irish school gave each other pats on the back to break a Guinness World Record.  

Sometimes my eyes open in the predawn hour and I sample the silence and as I lay there I hear a chirp and then an answer and the silence is sweetly broken. Soon our dog Charcoal stirs as if on signal and the first cracks of dawn emerge and the sweet chirping increases.

Over the years, I’ve seen several iterations of the highway message warning people that driving and alcohol don’t make for a good combination. The messages range from the relatively mild “Don’t Drink and Drive” to those which suggest the penalties that may be inflicted for a violation. I wonder who composes the succinct words and decides the precise wording ?

  Since I am writing on Monday evening, I am reflecting on the phrase of our day -- “thank you for your sacrifice.” Today we remembered those who gave their lives for our country and served to protect us all. Today we express gratitude for acts of courage of so many over so many years that resulted in the loss of their lives.