Fred asked me to post about my uncharacteristically extended (27-day) recent trip Down Under.  Actually, he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse (Mario Puzo fans will get the reference).  Nancy graciously ceded her Tuesday blog slot to me.  Mitch helpfully gave me a tutorial on the technicalities of posting to the Gotham blog.  It took a village.  Please feel free to read as much or as little of what follows as you prefer.    

I have an etiquette question.   As many of you know my husband and I are frequent flyers. I am also a nervous flyer, so I have to sit next to my husband. Mostly to grab his arm when the turbulence hits.  

For several months, I’ve been meeting via Zoom with like-minded folks who oppose the imposition of a toll-tax (aka congestion pricing) to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Late last year, as other concerned folks and groups joined our weekly Zooms, those gathered decided to hire a lawyer and explore bringing a lawsuit.

A new AI app I found in the new GPT store (everything seems new:) called Cartoonize Yourself will turn your photos into Pixar-style illustrations. Always enjoying trying new things, I uploaded the following picture; After about 20 seconds produced this... Looks just like me doesn't it? (Love the full head of hair :)

Just as there are 3 sides to every story: Your side, My side and the Truth, there is usually a bright side in every situation.   Where many complain or express anxiety as to their situation, I always endeavor to see and express a possible bright side as so many of us, on balance, are SO fortunate.  Don't suffer the small stuff. See the Bright Side!

We had a problem with the humidifier in our central heating system. No humidity.

So, we got through 2023 with all it’s ups and downs. The economy seems to be on track now. Gas prices are low, but the world still has its issues (sadly). My thoughts early on this year are of what can one do to make this year a better one.

When my children were in nursery school, they were taught a special trick when the forecast was snow.  If you slept with a spoon under your pillow, you were sure to wake up with the streets blanketed in a sea of white – which surely signaled either a delayed start to the school day or even one of those prized snow days.