Your intrepid blogger has dug up a fascinating true story.   More than 131 years after being thrown overboard, the world's oldest message in a bottle has washed up on a beach in western Australia. The bottle was found by Tonya Illman and Grace Ricciardo in the dunes near Wedge Island in January.  

When I vacation in Key West I have a regular Friday night routine of sitting on a bench across the street from the weekly "Sound Check" at Key West's iconic rock n' roll Green Parrot venue.    

I may have mentioned this before. One of the most memorable lines from my daughter, Mea, was her observation when she was five years old that “Music goes right to the heart.” The other evening, we saw “Farinelli and the King” a wonderful Broadway musical about a musical voice that quelled the craziness of King Philippe V of Spain. The power of music. It’s effect on us all. And I thought of the words of a five year old.

I like the TV show Jeopardy. Not because of Alex Trebeck, because it can be so satisfying to answer the questions (is it question the answers?) before the contestants chime in. I also learn some interesting things. And, of course, that music.  

  Today’s storm doesn’t look as if it is going to be as bad as initially predicted, at least here in New York. But with this being the third storm in two weeks, I’m asking this question – are we done yet?

  Some people can do it and others can’t. I love to do it and I’m very good at it. I’m at my best at it when I’m home alone. Can you do it?    

My enjoyment of good music remains steadfast. Those who know me best know my preferences (tastes?). Indeed leaving a lunch last month at my alma mater (same place for poli. sci. and law school) the question, what is Poco?, got posed by the distinguished ethics professor and the speaker my friend Sean and I delivered to the Mineola LIRR on our way back to Queens. A bumper sticker displayed prominently on the rear states “Induct Poco into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

There's nothing like a good massage. It loosens up your whole body and relaxes your mind.   I was fortunate to enjoy one last week. My masseuse was a woman who was obviously visually impaired but she greeted me with a warm smile and showed me to the room, subtly touching her surroundings as she found her way. While I undressed I wondered what this was going to be like. A woman who could not see the world like I experience it. I felt sad.