One of the best books I read when I was young was Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land (Biblical phrase) which has been referenced frequently in popular music.  Well I am no longer young and I feel as if I am a stranger in a strange land when, for example, I get on the subway in Long Island City along with the throng transferring from the Brooklyn train which parades by sporting their art, tats and sleeves on their arms, legs, faces, chests, backs and who knows where else. 

Pitchers and catchers reporting early. Spring training. My nephew, Jared - who covers baseball for the Wall Street Journal - on his way to warmer climates. This is a good time of year for optimists. How are the teams shaping up? Who is healthy? Who's reporting in good shape? Can we finish better than last season? We need an outlet. We need hope. We need our national pastime.

From Mitch's blog of Saturday: "I remembered something my daughter said to me several weeks ago. We need to listen to each other and seek to understand.

  Perhaps it’s somewhat of a theme in our blogs this week.  I am inspired by Mitch and Rona.    

I want to thank Mitch for his blog this past Saturday.  His words helped me to decide to publish the foregoing.  

Back in the days of cassette tapes I created a special tape of love songs. I played it on my first date with Shelly. With Valentines Day approaching and many groups holding “Sweethearts Dances” this weekend or next, why not share some (most) of my fave “Songs of Love” and invite your suggestions.  

It was an 8AM breakfast last Thursday that lead me to this. Maybe it was the effort it took to make the meeting or maybe it was the snowstorm that raged outside or maybe it was merely the fact we had nothing else to do...no pressure to leave.  

As I approach the 3/4 pole I must admit that I am now a/the Patriarch.  A fancy word for "Old Fart".  It snuck up on me as I kept on keeping on and my hair silvered.  "Mr. Klein" was my dad and then, suddenly, it was me.  All of a sudden, seats are offered to me on the subway.  Don't get me wrong, I welcome Senior Citizen discounts and I do enjoy being proofed.   I'm told I look good, but I am well aware that there are three stages in life: Youth, Middle Age and "You Look Good!"