For many fans of the New York Mets, including this correspondent, last week exemplified disgust, disappointment and even dread about the upcoming 2026 season.  Apparently, the Mets decision-makers opted against retaining the best closer — Edwin Diaz —  in Major League Baseball and in the humble opinion of this corespondent and avid and arguably rather knowledgeable fan the best right handed clutch power hitter — Pete Alonso — in the National League. Plain dumb! No counter moves replace those player departures.  

Many people don’t really think things through on their own. Instead, they repeat what they hear from friends, social media, or the news. This feels easier and safer than figuring things out for yourself.When you let others do your thinking, you don’t have to ask hard questions or risk being wrong. But there’s a downside: your opinions aren’t really yours anymore. You believe things because others do, not because you’ve examined them.

The range of new casino sites opening each year offers players more options than ever. These operators bring competitive promotions, exclusive slots, and unique loyalty systems to the market. They reflect how rapidly the online gambling scene is evolving, giving players an opportunity to experiment with fresh and innovative features.

I carry a Personal Pocket Journal. It’s a small (pocket size) leather bound calendar — displaying months and weeks-at-glance. It is made by Graphic Image in Melville and available in several colors. My choice is tan.My desk drawer is full of past year’s journals. I’m not sure why I keep them for so long.As I contemplate a new journal for the upcoming year, I face a dilemma. I’ve come to realize that most of the journal entries are also on my phone’s calendar. I laugh to myself that this is my “double-entry calendar system”. But is it necessary?

I have always been the one who arrives 10 minutes early, but better early than late! Now that I am at the mercy of the MTA, I leave early enough to account for “unexpected” delays and detours. I often find myself 15-20 minutes ahead of schedule and it's still OK; I know I am not going to change - I still prefer being early to the stress of being late.

As many of you know, my mom passed a few days ago after a long illness and valiant fight.  Mom was feisty, generous, adventurous and kind – and it was my job to prepare a eulogy that honored her life and shared her essence.  It was hard, with lots of self-imposed pressure to get it right.  But the “teaching moment” for me was more about the process of preparing my thoughts. 

Is it just me or is there pressure to answer text messages immediately? I have a friend who will send me a text message and, if I do not answer within minutes, she will follow up with a “Hello?” Many people feel stressed by the pressure to answer text messages the moment they come in, as if every ping demands instant attention. This constant expectation can make even simple conversations feel overwhelming. 

Each Thanksgiving I check to see when I blogged the prior year about music for the holiday season.  That we often begin to hear that music when families gather the last Thursday in November is what brings my Holiday Music Playlist to mind.  The only thing that delays that blog is the need to timely report  this year’s Gotham Green Award® winners announced annually the Tues