I have enjoyed Tony Bennett’s singing and his optimistic personality for many years. I saw him perform in person only once, but it was unforgettable.  He was so full of joy and so connected to his audience.  His deep feeling for the American Standards came through in every word he sang and every move that he made.  Bennett was famous for doing a twirl step while singing his version of the Fred Astaire classic, “Steppin’ Out”, into his early 90’s.    

  It does take a village.    I’ve been thinking lately about my own village – both the people I consider to be in mine and those who I know rely on me for theirs.  Without great surprise, there is not unexpected overlap for me in those two groups.

The past few years have seen a plethora of updates/remakes of some of my favorite television shows. Full House, Gilmore Girls, Roseanne, and Hawaii Five O, have all returned to our screens in recent years, with most of the original  cast coming along for one last ride. Although Roseanne was let go from her own show after one season due to her racist tweets.

In my pre-Thanksgiving blog, I heralded the then-impending announcement of the 

Power, according to author Olivia Fox Cabane, simply “means being perceived as able to affect the world around us, whether through influence on or authority over others, large amounts of money, expertise, intelligence, sheer physical strength, or high social status.”  

Thanksgiving is always a bountiful and enjoyable holiday, but this year’s was extra special as our immediate Family convened at (older son) David and Julie’s house.

I am sitting in the waiting room of a local urgent care center…waiting to take a COVID rapid test.We have been invited to attend the bar-mitzvah of the grandson of close friends this weekend.

Stephen Sondheim died last week at the age of 91.  His incredible career spanned six decades. He shook up Broadway by breaking the mold of the ‘Happy Ending Musical”.  Sondheim was a believer that great art should explore characters and culture in a deeper way.  He was never satisfied with his work and always looked at each revival of his many shows as a chance to make the productions and the songs better.  I agree with his designation as an artistic genius!