Suprise Me

One of my favorite stories about my late mother-in-law, AKA Nana, was the group family photo taken at a wedding. She had a huge copy made, which hung prominently in her living room. She loved that picture. But when my youngest sister-in-law was divorced, what was she going to do with a beloved and expensive… Read More

"Regular haircut?" "Yup." Made his day. Read More

Exams once ruled my life. Now, having experienced many true tests over a lifetime, I realize that no amount of preparation guarantees a good result. It is what I do with the hand I’m dealt that truly matters. Read More

No Dice! Try as I might, in my seven decades – most of which were lived in New York City of all places – I can’t remember being the victim of any shady deals or crooked schemes. I never shot craps in Vegas nor have I even been to Foxwoods. I was never conned in… Read More

And so ended my MRI trip down memory lane. It would be a long and winding road to repair what time had done to me. Once — as the Beatles reminded me — I was just 17. Now I am 71. Read More

  I’ve always had lousy feet. As a child I had to wear “orthopedic shoes” with arch support in them (saddle shoes in the summer, some black velveteen things in the winter, but always heavy, laced up shoes). Never sneakers, never sandals. Not enough support. I rebelled in 6th grade, while my mother was in… Read More

When I got pregnant with my daughter, I worked at the law school on the UC Berkeley campus, known then as Boalt Hall. I described my position there as “petty bureaucrat,” doing payroll and other administrative duties. It so happened that nine women on the staff became pregnant that year. Rumors circulated among staff that… Read More

Do we still make beautiful things? Can something be both utilitarian and a masterpiece? Is it possible for functionality and aesthetic beauty to coexist in perfect harmony? While walking the streets of Barcelona I can’t help but be intrigued by the idea of why utility and artistic expression converged. A journey through the older streets… Read More

The story is about my father, who was born in 1909, got his bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in 1928 or '29, went to work as a pharmacist in the family drugstore, but wanted to be a doctor, Read More

Rye Playland Growing up in the Bronx our nearest amusement park was Rye Playland on Long Island Sound north of the city in Westchester County. As a kid I was often taken there by my parents,  but my memories of those childhood trips are vague.  As a teenager however, I remember Rye as a favorite… Read More