CUPS, a Virginia coffee shop, may have stumbled on a way to solve some of the world's problems. They have gained international attention after a photo of the sign (seen below) went viral.

For more years than I am willing to admit I have gone to my local hardware store to buy a dozen outdoor spotlight bulbs for a 10% volume discount (buy local). At first I didn't notice, but after the passage of time I realized that the bulbs were blowing with cash register regularity. Being somewhat thrifty or penurious, I eschewed local loyalty and went to Home Depot looking for a more reliable, new fangled, longer-lasting bulb.  The result? Glory be!  I should live so long!  I can't wait to change one of these years and years bulbs!

About seven weeks ago, on June 3rd, I saw this quote in the  Wall Street Journal. "No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one." (Elbert Hubbard) Approaching the half-way point of this summer, the quote haunts me. I am hearing more complaints about "trying to get away" and "paying for those few days away". I am looking forward to a vacation in August....or am I?

I am rerunning my blog from 11/18/15 because it seems so timely and I had forgotten about  Antoine Leiris. I hope he is staying the course.

  I am confident I have written this blog before but it has been a very long time -- and this world changes fast.    

It occurred while I was enjoying my birthday celebration dinner with my family. My youngest daughter is spending the summer in Buffalo and, thus, could not be at the dinner with us. During the meal, I stole a quick glance at my phone looking for the text message from her that I knew I coming. Instead, I saw a snippet of an email from a client which began, “Rona, I am upset. . .”  

I declined then Shelly accepted. Glad she asserted herself. We attended an off-Broadway play, “Cagney,” at the Westside Theatre, last night (Saturday, July 9, 2016). Mostly a musical it focused on actor extraordinaire James Cagney's career. The movie that I most identify with Cagney remains “The Gallant Hours,” his excellent portrayal of Admiral William “Bull” Halsey. Never much for gangster movies, I never watched “White Heat” or “Public Enemy” in their entireties; I knew Cagney made his name in them.

Following are the lyrics to a great song by the Temptations. I was singing this to myself this morning and realized how appropriate the message is today. What's amazing is that this was written and released 46 years ago...   People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the color of their skin.Run, run, run but you sure can't hide. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.Vote for me and I'll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on.