I thought I would share the unvarnished truth about "Black Friday."  

2017 may end up being the best year of my life (or right up there) and for that I am thankful for abundant reasons. Passing on ample family reasons, 2017 was distinguished by many highlights. Examples follow:1) Celebrating Gotham's 20th Anniversary at the Harmonie Club2) My obsession with Yankee rookie Aaron Judge (and enjoying 2 playoff games with Paul Napolitano)3) Meeting my look a like Jonathan Goldsmith (the "Most Interesting Man in World")

On this day, there are so many things to be thankful for.... As I sit at our Thanksgiving table, surrounded by family, I expect that my thoughts of thanks will focus on two things: First, having just survived the annual Thanksgiving basketball game, and Second, the two newest members of our family who are celebrating their first Thanksgivng this year. May we all survive many furture basketball games and May our newest family members enjoy many, many Thanksgivings to come.   Happy Thanksgiving.  

Fifty-four years ago on this day, a police officer, army veteran, father, husband and a man working two part jobs in addition to being a police officer, was shot and killed in the suburbs of Dallas, TX while investigating a murder. Everyone remembers the victim of that murder, lets take a moment to remember a man doing his job, supporting his family, married to his high school sweetheart...

I was one of those kids who danced. I spent hours and hours at dancing school for years and years. With all candor, I wasn't very good. In every recital photo, if the whole group is pointing to the left, I am pointing to the right. If the group is doing pirouettes, I am down on one knee. You get the idea. I had so much trouble keeping up. But I loved it.

Today, I am all about surprises. Yesterday, my husband and I threw our eldest daughter a surprise bridal shower and, even though there were slip-ups, i.e. text messages not meant for her sent in a group family text, I think we pulled it off. She had a fabulous day and she seemed, genuinely, surprised.  

With Thanksgiving and for many of us a long weekend approaching, I find it nice to anticipate gatherings of families and friends.   Every Thanksgiving involves memories and traditions. Some revolve around the food and how we prepare it. Others peculiar to some celebrants.  

I'm excited...my favorite holiday is just about here. No presents exchanged, no religion, no politics (maybe:) and of course great food.   I'm particularly looking forward to frying a turkey and barbequing a couple of ducks. Both require a bit of finesse and thought. The ducks in particular have quite a bit of fat and the drippings can easily spark a flame. In fact, that happened a few years ago. I was tending the turkey in the fryer and my daughter said to me: "Dad, the gril is on fire." I turned and there were flames shooting out of my grill.