Welcome 2013!

I wrote this 47 years ago in my then "Dear Diary".  Still true today as I welcome 2013!

December 31, 1965
And so, dear diary, these pages mark the close of a fruitful, and painful, year.  A year holding wonderful, wonderful times that I shall never forget (2012 note: and I never did forget them). When I think of all of them my heart is filled and overflowing and ready to burst!  The bad, hurting times are only a dull, void ache or a wistful memory. "May the old year end with all its curses, may the new year begin with all its blessings!"  Good-bye 1965!
Lots of lots of love, Evvy

Road Trip

Off to Orlando today to meet up with special people in my life.  Scott's birthday is today and he and Victoria shlepped his in-laws, brother-in-law and his fiance, six kids and a friend to Disney World to help celebrate.  He has every detail for an entire week planned perfectly, including some needed medical equipment.

Of all these folks, we've known Scott the longest, since he was born.  When he was growing up he certainly didn't suffer but he didn't have it easy either.  Everything he is and has - and that's a lot - he earned himself. 

His Mom used to tell Scott to look to us as role models.  Well Scott, YOU are MY role model.

Happy Birthday sweetheart. 

How Old Am I?

Neighbor Marilyn sent me a long joke/missive called "How old is Grandma?"  I have modified it for myself:

I was born before color television, TV remotes, polio shots, DVRs, contact lenses and "the pill". 

Growing up there were no credit cards and my school pen used ink cartridge refills (I loved peacock blue).  I shlepped my books in my arms, walked to school, and never owned a backpack. 

I never worried about terrorists, perverts or being kidnapped.  Just "The Bomb".

I wore hose with garter belts and we didn't have air conditioning or a clothes dryer. 

I have the remains of my smallpox vaccination on my arm and silver fillings in my teeth.

There was no space travel but every child I knew had both a mother and father at home. 

You got married first and then lived together and you definitely needed a husband to have a baby. 

I never heard of gay people, computers, cell phones or men wearing earrings.

Tattoos were for old sailors.

My phone number lacked an area code and the first part of it was UP for "Uptown". 

My suitors met my Mom and Dad and treated me when they took me out. 

How old am I?  Only 63...  

:-)

Twelve Angry Men

Twelve Angry Men is and always will be one of my favorite movies.  The recent remakes have not come even close to emulating the original.

The message of the movie is that what we see and perceive upon our first glance may or may not be the truth. Our first impressions and/or long held beliefs may be totally incorrect.  Then again, they may be spot-on.  In any case, a thinking person will be careful to question and explore what lies beneath the surface.

Jack Klugman, AKA Juror Number 5, passed away a few days ago.  He was one of my favorites, entertaining me through the years with The Odd Couple and Quincy.  He was one-of-a-kind, wouldn't you agree?

And just like Twelve Angry Men (1957), there is no one who can equal the original.

RIP Jack Klugman, the last of the Angry Men.

A Woman Should Have

Maya Angelou, poet extraordinaire, wrote the definitive work on what a woman should have.  I may not have them all but I do have number two, something perfect to wear if, well if WHATEVER!

It is my black shirtwaist dress, purchased in New Orleans over 30 years ago for what was then (and still is to me) the exorbitant sum of $100.  It fits me beautifully and the wide belt makes my waist look tiny.  I have worn it to job interviews, bar mitzvahs, to take our 25th anniversary picture, funerals, major presentations, weddings and to work.  It is perfect for when I have no idea what anyone else will be wearing or what is appropriate.   

I took my old friend out today to see if she was still up for the Israel Bond dinner ("business dress") next month.  A trip to the dry cleaner is in order but otherwise I am good to go.

Still working on the rest of Maya's list...

;-)

It's A Wonderful Life

It's Christmas morning and of course there is no tree, no sparkly lights and sadly, no Santa.  But there, recorded on TV last night, is that inspiring movie It's A Wonderful Life.

You don't have to be a Christian or even believe in Angels (which I do) to love this movie.  Such simple premises - how is the world better because you lived in it?  How much more can you do with the time left to you? Does hard work and sacrifice really pay off in the end?

One thing I know for sure, Christmas (and every-other-day-of the-year) Miracles DO exist.  I have first hand knowledge of this (see last year's Christmas blog).

It's early Christmas morning and I'm settling in with my hot cocoa to watch this heart-warming movie that never gets old.

Yes, indeed, It truly IS a Wonderful Life!

A Year of Firsts

2012 is dwindling down and as I look back, it was a year of firsts.  Here's a few:

First pair of designer jeans
First time not working (and not looking for a job)
First time volunteering
First mail-in vote
First Swamp Buggy ride
First time making a photobook
First time playing Canasta
First trip to the horse races
First Talmud study class
First live political rally
First time using the community exercise room
First Wordle - hahaha I used it to sum up 2012!

Israel Bonds

I am proud and happy to be the owner of Israel Bonds.  They are a good investment, paying over 3%, and I figure if Israel ever has to default on the semi-annual interest payment I have much, much bigger problems than the loss of either interest or principal.  Incidentally, Israel has never defaulted or delayed a single interest payment on their bonds.

So because of our "big investment" we received this invitation to the International Prime Minister's Club Dinner at the Boca West Country Club.  The cost for this dinner is $180. a person, $360. a couple.  It did not occur to me that we would be attending.

Oh no, says hubby, he wants to go!  Why I ask?  Is it because our friends Fred and Nancy Katzin will be honored with the ISRAEL65 award?  Or perhaps because Howie Mandel will be the Master of Ceremonies? Or perhaps you wish to show off your lovely wife in her new 4+ inch patent leather heels???

All of the above he said, but mostly because attending such events is how he envisioned life would be at this stage. 

 Wow.  Wow.   Lucky I have those new shoes!

;-)

Chanukah Presents

The last Chanukah gift exchange is today with cousins Morry and Barb.  I wonder what I'll get???

So far I have done very well:

Not one but TWO pairs of Miss Me jeans!  So nice and well fitting too!

My Blog printed up in a beautiful book, at least the entries from 8/1/2012 through 12/11/2012.  All the others I printed out one-by-one everyday and put in a giant loose-leaf notebook.  This way is much, much nicer!

A beautiful piece of Judaica - this artwork depicting Shabbos. 

Gorgeous 4+ inch black patent high heels for simchas and big nights out

Fuzzy Wuzzy jacket for chilly evenings

What a haul! 

;-)

End Of The World

According to some folks, the World will end sometime today.  If you are reading this, that has not (yet) happened.

As the Queen said: Keep Calm and Carry On!

;-)

Ameliorate

I learned a new word today - ameliorate.  It means to make or become better, more bearable, more satisfactory; to improve.  A great word, no?

New Years is approaching and with it comes my annual contemplation of New Year's Resolutions.  I plan to ameliorate lots of things!

Will keep you posted...

;-)

Surviving Christmas

Christmas is five days away and for the next few weeks life slips into a surreal alternate reality. My favorite TV shows have had their season finales or are on hiatus until mid-January. Chanukah is over, friends are out of town and it is too scary to venture out to the malls or big box stores. Christmas cheer is everywhere and I am rapidly approaching Holiday Overload.

A JAP like myself needs a plan for surviving the bleak days ahead!  Thanks to careful preparation I have managed to secure the latest Best Sellers by three of my favorite authors for a two week secluded book-fest.  This will be supplemented by a foray to the movie theater to see Jack Reacher or some other holiday blockbuster and also an overnight trip to Orlando to celebrate Scott's birthday at Disney World.  Chinese food on Christmas is traditional but I have a frozen turkey so I think I will go all out and cook a real meal. 

At least this year I will be skipping the annual office party with its pot luck lunch and gift exchange.  Reason enough to be glad I retired!

;-)

SPAM

Lots of the email I get goes directly into my SPAM folder and is thankfully never seen again.  I wonder what sites that legitimately had my email address sold it and I wonder why any of the companies that send me SPAM would want to solicit me for any of their products. I peeked at my SPAM folder today and found ads for

I don't want to learn Portuguese or date Evangelical Christians.  My car is still under warranty and I don't need Viagra or unemployment assistance and my blood pressure is just fine thank-you-very-much. 

Of course I would not mind at all if $1,500 US dollars were deposited into my bank account in the next hour!

;-)

Havana

I bought a new little carry-on for a short trip I was planning last spring.  It was an impulse purchase, only $30. at Ross, and sooo cute I couldn't resist it!  It is embossed with adorable travel graphics and it's called HAVANA, as if I was planning a trip to an exotic locale that embodied a touch of mystery and adventure.

The trip was unavoidably canceled and I never got to use HAVANA even though I expect I will use it someday, perhaps for a quick trip to Chicago or Toronto.  Today, many months after the trip was cancelled, I finally unpacked HAVANA and rediscovered the cute outfits I had selected while visualizing new experiences and fun. 

I was a little melancholy to think of the trip-not-taken.  In a way, HAVANA (aptly named by its designer, Jessica Simpson) will always represent a place where good times await on a distant shore, just slightly out of reach.

;-)

Best Laid Plans

John Lennon said "Life is what happens when you are making other plans". How smart he was, who knew???

This morning I was perusing articles on how the fiscal cliff would affect our finances when a friend called with some bad news about a recent diagnosis. She has so many plans! So many projects!

Bad news seems to always be unexpected, even if you are basically a worrier, as am I. And it always arrives when I am doing something that is instantly rendered completely unimportant in the scheme of things.

Last night cousin Cary called to wish us Happy Chanukah. He too had sad news - a divorce in the family (the second for a wonderful person) and his complete and irrevocable loss of sight in one eye. No one plans for these things in their lives, yet there they are.

We survive. We cope. We change our plans or put them off for a little while...

Les Miserables

I have no words to describe the horror that took place in Connecticut yesterday - 20 small children and 6 adults gunned down in Sandy Hook Elementary School by a deranged and obviously mentally ill man.

For awhile the media reported that the perpetrator of this heinous act was a man named Ryan Lanza.  It ultimately turned out that the shooter was Ryan's brother Adam.  So for a brief time Ryan, who lost his mother yesterday, was wrongfully accused.  I feel for Ryan as well, as he is also a victim.

The theme of the play, and now the soon-to-be-released movie, on everyone's lips these days is Les Miserables.  It is the story of Jean Valjean, who, though not entirely innocent (he stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister's children), was branded and despised as a former offender and parolee.  It is the story of the suffering of many, many people in those terrible times.

Can any good come of this senseless tragedy?  Can Ryan, like Jean Valjean, go on to be a kind, dignified, respected, benefactor to society?  Can we finally pass gun control laws that require more stringent background searches and ban automatic and assault weapons?  Can we renew our faith in humanity and restore our schools to places of safe haven? 

Or are we forever to be Les Miserables?

Big Surprise

When I was contemplating whether to retire I asked a friend "what will I do all day??"  I seriously pictured a life of wandering from room to room looking for dust mites. My friend answered "whatever you want".  It was the "whatever" I was having a problem with.

No one is more surprised than I to discover that I am so busy I have actually had to cut back on certain activities and that I haven't gotten around to some of the things I planned on doing!

I watched Senator Joe Lieberman give his farewell to Congress speech today.  He is retiring after a long, productive career and many accomplishments.  The pundits on TV asked "what will he do now?"  Hahaha I thought.  For an intelligent, involved man with a wife he adores I have no doubt he will be busier and happier than he can imagine. 

Congratualtions Joe!  You have truly earned the "Gift of Rest"...

The Road Not Taken

I think my career in Information Technology was perfect for me but cousin Jeannie asked me  "if you couldn't have had your IT career what would you have done?"

I couldn't think of a thing!  But I gave it some thought and came up with these:

Mystery novel writer
Life or diet coach
Accountant
University professor (of IT of course)
Financial planner
Software product representative
X-Ray technician

Here's some things I couldn't do:

Retail sales
Pre-school teacher
Factory assembly line
Bus or taxi driver
Airline pilot
Flair bartender


Luckily I have found my real, true calling.  I excel at Retiree!!!

;-)

Jenny Kissed Me

I was reading several beautiful romantic quotes a day or so ago and into my head popped Jenny Kissed Me, a poem by James Henry Leigh Hunt that my father had read to me several times.  I never forgot the last lines:

Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I'm growing old, but add,
Jenny kissed me.

Of course as a child I could never image being weary, sad, sick, poor and especially not old.  I remember thinking what a terrible life the poet must have had, to have a single kiss be the highlight of his existence.  I tried to imagine what his miserable days and years must have been like.  Was he a cripple? A failure in love and business?

Now that I am getting old - but thankfully not weary, sad, sick or poor - I understand this poem better.  I know that the times we remember most fondly when we have more memories than future possibilities are those instances when we experienced Pure Joy.  Perhaps seeing a child born or the happiness of being united under the Chuppah.  Perhaps recognition by professional colleagues or seeing your work in print or the first dollar you made in your own business. 

Or perhaps the best of all, the kiss from the one you never forgot...

;-)

Rock On

Last night we went to see Dion at the Hard Rock.  I remember listening to Runaround Sue at GG's Snack Shop - the hangout for the high school kids - when I was only 13 and still in 8th grade. It's a little hard to believe that the guy who wrote The Wanderer and Runaround Sue also penned and performed Abraham, Martin and John a few short years later.  That song never, ever fails to move me to tears.

Dion was still wearing the jaunty black beret that I see on the 60s version of Abraham, Martin and John that is saved to my YouTube playlist.  And his voice has not dimmed with the years.  Nor his stamina to do a full stage performance at 73. 

I guess it's true. The old performers from the 50s, 60s and 70s never die, they just ROCK ON!

;-)

A Day at the Races

Gulfstream Park

In the category of "never been" was a day at the racetrack.  Friends Terri and Fred had never been either so yesterday we decided to make a day of it at the Gulfstream Racetrack in Hallandale Beach, just a few miles from home.  I pocketed $15.40 on the very first $2 bet - on Collymore Place to win in the 3rd race. But after that, bubkus.  Still, it was exciting and fun and you move around a lot between races, checking the horses, wandering around the casino and restaurants, and especially people watching. 

After the racetrack I suggested we stop by the Yellow Green Market since it had extended December hours.  This was the highlight of the day.  Fred and Terri loved the Cuban decafs and the bread and pastry vendor and the selection of Twizzlers in tons of flavors. We promised to go back there as often as possible.

Cross this one off the "bucket list"!

;-)

Rube Goldberg

I love to see Rube Goldbergs in action!  You know, those complicated series of mechanical processes designed to accomplish a very simple function.  Sometimes I think my life is just a bunch of Rube Goldbergs because it seems harder and harder to accomplish simple tasks without being distracted and getting off track!

For example, I'm trying to write this post while watching last night's episode of Elementary and drinking my morning coffee.  Why did I start writing this post instead of concentrating on Elementary?  Because Elementary starts off with a fabulous Rube Goldberg device (although I suspect it's just a series of disjointed shots and not an entire functioning device). 

See what I mean?  Time to rewind Elementary and start it over.  Life really is a Rube Goldberg machine!

;-)

Altophobia

I suffer from Altophobia.  Fear of Heights. I hate looking down from high up and don't even go out on friends Terri and Fred's 19th floor balcony which overlooks Fort Lauderdale, the Las Olas high-rent area, the Intercoastal and the Atlantic Ocean.

I am even nervous about the looming Fiscal Cliff, though, while not actually a cliff, is also scary.  It's not that I expect to be impacted too too much; I'm more anxious about the country being hopelessly in debt and seemingly unable to move forward.

I understand that phobias can be conquered by confronting them directly. 

I think I'll take a pass...

The Story of All of Us

I will not say I watched all of the new Mankind - The Story of All of Us series on the History Channel but I did catch two small snippets.  The first was about Genghis Khan, the most ruthless butcher in all history who even succeeded in making Hitler seem almost human.  The second piece was about the bubonic plague, complete with extremely graphic representations of the suffering and disfigurement of its victims.  After several minutes of each I had had enough.

Perhaps the history of mankind is not as bad as the small pieces I saw on TV.  I know there were good things - discoveries in medicine, advancements in human rights, great works of art and music - but oh! the butchery! the wars! the hardship and misery of just trying to exist! 

When I changed the channel to escape Mankind - The Story of All of Us, even the nightly news looked good...

Rashi

How surprised was the Rabbi to learn I could trace my lineage to Rashi!  It came up in conversation at Torah Study today.  The Rabbi said I should do a presentation on the topic sometime and I had to laugh and sheepish admit I had never heard of Rashi before cousin Jeannie and I embarked on our genealogy project a few years ago.

But yes, indeed, here is the proof (click to enlarge). And yes, indeed, I AM proud.

 

C'est Si Bon

Thanks to Madame Lenters and my three years of high school French followed by two semesters of college French, in my younger days I could almost speak French fluently.  I definitely could read French and understand almost everything. 

In the days before Rosetta Stone and "conversational" language learning, Madame Lenters drilled us on the conjugation of all of the forms of a verb in fixed order as in "I am, you are, he is, we are, you are, they are, I was, they were, I had been” etc. etc. etc.  This of course was further complicated by the gender differentiation in French.  As a result of her incredible teaching skills, I was able to place into advanced French in college and I knew more than everyone else in the class.  To this day, I will interject a French phrase that pops into my head when there is no English or Yiddish one that will do. I can also sing La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem, off-key of course.

I guess I don't need to mention that Madame Lenters was both hated and loved by the student body, myself included  When she passed away there was quite a write-up in the Chicago Tribune.

Merci beaucoup Madame Lenters.

C'est si bon...

Miss Me

Hubby asked what I would like for Chanukah, a mere 8 days away.  For once, I had an answer, a pair of Miss Me jeans, size 27 (as long as there's a bit of stretch), straight legs, with lots of bling and fancy trim please.  Oh and look!  I just happen to have the exact thing saved to my Wish List on eBay ;-)

A major purchase for me in the wardrobe department!  But I deserve them, don't you agree? I can't wait for them to arrive "on or about December 5th".  Just in time for Chanukah! 

;-)

"I Screwed Up Royally"

So wrote David Petraeus about the affair that cost him his job and probably a great deal more. 

How very, very sad.  Lots of people Screw Up Royally but few have to pay the price so publicly.

It is nice to think that folks can regroup and come back from even the most disastrous self-inflicted wounds.  Hopefully without a stint in rehab or prison!

My own worst screw-ups were thankfully not awful, not by any means, and the consequences to me or my loved ones were not horrible. But I know I was Lucky (with a capital L).  I definitely have the capacity to REALLY mess up!

;-)

Hit Me

The author's comments at the end of  "The Triumph of Evil"  included his email address and an invitation to write.  I rarely write "fan mail" but after the years and years of the pleasurable reading and listening experiences Lawrence Block has given me I felt compelled to at least say "thank you" once in my lifetime.

Holy Moly!  I got a personalized response almost immediately!  And a link to his blog and mailing list which held the promise of early notification of any new releases.  Yippee!!  I discover that LB has resurrected my absolute favorite of his protagonists - Keller of the Hit Man series!

Today's email brought a message from LB about his latest opus "Hit Me".  I had already marked my calendar for February 12th 2013, the day Hit Me will be released and figured this was a bit of pre-release hype.  There was an attachment, and after a mere glance at LB's note on my iPhone, I assumed the attachment was a few pages of a sneak preview of Hit Me. A teaser if you will.

Imagine my joy to find, upon a more careful reading and actually opening the pdf this morning, that attached to LB's email was ENTIRE text of Hit Me!  And the note from LB which read:
Hi—As you may know, Mulholland Books (and Orion in the UK) will be publishing HIT ME in February. It's the fifth book about Keller and the first since his presumed retirement at the end of HIT & RUN. I thought you might like an advance peek at it, and am attaching an eGalley in the form of a PDF; I'm assured it will work just fine on an eReader. Unlike the usual run of proofs, this is in fact the exact text of the final book. (Of course that doesn't mean there are no errors, but merely guarantees the permanence of any such errors as may exist.)

Should you like the book and be moved to review it or blog about it, I'd of course be delighted. But that's almost beside the point, which is that you've been generous to me and my work in the past, and this is a small (and remarkably inexpensive) way to thank you for it.

LB
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I have two important take-aways from this wonderful early Chanukah gift.

1. Never pass up an opportunity to tell someone, even a stranger, you admire them or to thank them for their impact on your life.  Send that Facebook post to an old, old friend.  You never know the riches that might await.

2. Lawrence Block is a class act.  He really did HIT ME with this one...

Mamie Edith

Edith and Dad

My father's sister, "Mamie" Edith (do not know where the "Mamie" came from) was the undisputed Matriarch of our family.  All important - and not-so-important -decisions went through her.  She approved my hubby-to-be (he endeared himself to her by eating her egg and onion omelet) and had my mother's wedding dress made from her measurements without Mom ever seeing it until her wedding day.  She is revered for locating my three cousins who survived the Holocaust, bringing them to Toronto (not that easy) and finding them nice Jewish boys to marry.

Yesterday my cousin Terri (Edith's grand-daughter) who is recuperating from surgery wrote me the following:
Don't I look like my grandmother? I can't say that it's my best look.......Lol. Time to get that Silverstein nose taken care of. Kind of half joking!

I answered:

HAHAHA Must be your Other Grandmother. You don't look like Mamie Edith by a long shot!

I once blogged about our "family resemblance" http://evelynsilvergold.blogspot.com/2012/09/family-resemblance.html

Take care of yourself. You look terrific to me!

 

;-)

Everyday Jeans

Here's a picture of me in my favorite "everyday" jeans.  They have become my daily companion (unless they are in the wash which I do almost everyday so they are quickly put back into use).  They are sturdy yet soft and comfy and have a enough tears and patches so that they could almost pass for designer knock-offs. I feel good just putting them on.

Like most other women, I have a big stack of blue jeans which I have divided into two groups - everyday and "best".  There is not much difference, perhaps the "best" ones are a little snugger and have more bling.  All of them came from Ross-Dress-For-Less or Goodwill.  None of them are "Mom" jeans (for old fuddy-duddies).  Heaven forbid! 

The ones in this picture came from Ross.  I found them in the women's section but wondered at the size, 16R.  I thought perhaps they were a mis-marked 6R.  I liked them so much I googled the brand name, "Justice Jeans", and found out they were indeed a size 16R since "Justice Jeans" are only in girl's sizes, hahaha.

So now I know why I like them so much.  I feel like a girly girl in them - tough enough to play but cute enough to go out and look good!

;-)

The Daily Motivator

My friend Marj emails "The Daily Motivator" everyday.  These consist of slide shows of pretty pictures with meaningful (although a bit trite) messages set to background music from New Age CDs called things like "Serenity" or "Ocean Waves".  I believe Marj subscribes to this service and forwards them on to us for free. 

OK, I'll admit I do not ever last through a whole slide show if I even bother to open it.  But today I awoke feeling the need for motivation after a weekend of sloth and gluttony and the scale registering the expected extra 2 pounds. 

The slide shows (there were 3, to catch up on the long motivation-less weekend) and they were just as corny, but I have to say, I do feel invigorated from seeing them.  Not because of anything in them (I know all that good stuff already) but because Marj herself is motivated to send them out and keep her friends energized.

Thanks Marj!  I'm ready to tackle this new week!

;-)

The Triumph of Evil

I'm listening to "The Triumph of Evil" by Lawrence Block, one of my mostest favoritest authors. I do believe I've read everything he's ever written.  But there are a few things that make this audio experience special.

The title is inspired by a famous quote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" (Edmund Burke).  Block has tweaked the quotation a bit into "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do the wrong things" .

The book was written in 1973 so somehow I missed it.  It's currently out of print.  But by some act of serendipity, it was just recorded as an audio file and released as such this month.  That was the good news.

The "bad" news was that although it was available for download for free from the Broward County library and the one license for it was not being used, I had a heck of a time getting it downloaded.  I will not bore you with the details Dear Diary but after much finagling it now resides on my iPad.

This is probably the most thought provoking of Block's works which include such lighthearted offerings as the Burglar Who and Matt Scudder series which were adapted for the big screen in "Burglar" (with Whoopi Goldberg) and "8 Million Ways To Die".  This is obviously the work of a younger, idealistic, questioning Block who (with his Yiddisha kop) brilliantly dissects the events that might turn America into a fascist dictatorship.  Remember - this was written at a time of great student unrest, racial strife and a country deeply divided. Think assassinations, violence, political upheavals, right wing rage and back room manipulators.

Thank you Lawrence Block for many, many wonderful reading and listening experiences.  At 74, I hope you have not yet retired!

--------------------------
PS
A note from Lawrence Block himself!  I am soooo happy!

Evelyn, thanks so much! I'm delighted you enjoyed the audiobook of The Triumph of Evil, and grateful to you for blogging about it.

As you note, the book's out of print—but it's eVailable as an Open Road eBook, and indeed that's what led to its being released in audio. The eBook revolution has resulted in virtually everything I wrote over the past half century being available again—and that's very gratifying, as I'm sure you can imagine. Here's a link to a blog page with a full list of what's out there: http://lawrenceblock.wordpress.com/about-lbs-fiction/

Again, thanks.

LB

The New Normal

The New Normal.  Such a cute expression.  I really like it.  What is normal today is definitely not what was normal when I was a kid, say 50 years ago or so. 

Truth be hold, the "New Normal" is really a state of constant smaller changes and big time metamorphoses every few years.  I have gone through several iterations of "New Normal" in my life and as a result, I'm completely qualified to deal with the current "New Normal". 

Whatever it is...

;-)

Arts and Crafts

I love our Florida Art and Craft Festivals, a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in the company of cheerful companions.  There's free admission and fresh air and if you buy something you are helping artisans and crafters and also sponsoring the smallest of small businesses.  There's usually great food like funnel cakes or turkey legs which you can partially burn off by walking the length of the festival and back. You can breathe fresh air and people watch while checking out amazing jewelry, glass works, paintings and Judaica.

So I am looking forward to the 13th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Weekend Art Festival with good friends Terri and Fred on Sunday.  It will be a pleasant reprieve from the noise surrounding Black Friday and the mass-produced electronics, toys, clothes and knick-knacks made in third world sweatshops!

:-)
 

Mitt

As this year's Thanksgiving turkey (whom I have named "Mitt") awaits his ultimate fate tomorrow, I am thinking about the things I am grateful for (see 60 of them in recent blog posts) but also about some scary things going on in the world.  Luckily there are far less than 60:

the conflict in Israel and Gaza
the Fiscal Cliff
Sandy-devastated states
the European economy
the stock market
health care changes
new taxes

I can do nothing or precious little to influence the outcome of any of these. 

In that way, I'm a bit like MItt awaiting his future...

;-)

A Little More Gratitude...

The 30 Day Challenge was far too easy.  Thanksgiving is almost upon us so here's a few more:

I am so grateful that:

1. Employers took a chance on me
2. I got a full scholarship to college many years ago
3. Hurricanes have never damaged our properties
4. There's a turkey and all the trimmings waiting for Thursday
5. I did not have to wait until I couldn't work anymore to retire
6. The god-kids are doing so well it amazes me
7. The strong chemical I found seems to clean the porcelain floor
8. I have a ladies' Canasta group
9. I have a fun night out planned for tonight
10. Good renters are returning for the season
11. De-Lites makes yummy low-cal ice cream
12. The fiscal cliff talks seem to be moving forward
13. Israel is surviving thanks to our brave IDF soldiers
14. Dolly very rarely has accidents
15. Young people still ask for my advice
16. Netflix sends me movies
17. Online games are free
18. The stock market was up 200 points yesterday
19. A simcha in March in Chicago!
20. A side trip to Orlando for Scott's birthday next month!
21. Hillary Clinton is going to Israel and Gaza today
22. I have a great gardener
23. I can now turn on the hot tub with a phone app
24. Cousin Jeannie will be back in a few weeks
25. Costco has the best tomatoes
26. The City of Hollywood is in better fiscal shape
27. Dexter is renewed for another season
28. Da Bears won at least a few games this year
29. I'll be volunteering this morning
30. Someone gave me a second chance...

Twinkies

The world is struggling to cope with demise of Twinkies, Ho-Hos (how will godson Jason survive?), Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread and my personal favorite, Sno-Balls.  It's a good time to reminisce over my other lost loves from the universe of consumer products.

Dippity Do - nothing plastered my naturally wavy hair into submission like this goop from the 60s

Riverview - the original Chicago amusement park and home of the Greyhound, the roller coaster for sissies (like me)

Angel Face pressed powder - I found this again in Mexico a few years ago.  But alas, no longer in the US of A.

Clairol Herbal Essense shampoo - the original, not the awful products that use the same name.  I am still hoarding a few decomposed bottles...

Black Jack gum


RIP Hostess treats.  A little bit of my youth goes with you...

:-(

It's A Look

We were wandering around the Boca Raton Art Fest yesterday with cousins Morry and Barb.  Hubby spotted me from a little ways away and when I got closer he said "you have that 'Rich B*tch' look". 

Did I take this as a derogatory comment?  Heck No.  I was thrilled. It certainly beats the "shlumpy middle-aged broad" look I feel like I carry with me most of the time. 

But of course his comment puzzled me.  After all, I was wearing my "everyday" blue jeans ($5. from Ross) not 7 For All Mankind or some other brand of $200.+ jeans.  I was wearing 3 year old sneakers (for walking around Mizner Park) and a $4. tank top from Wal-Mart with a $5. lace overlay and a $3. gold belt from the Swap Shop.  So what gives my "Rich B*tch" look its punch, I asked. 

Is it my sassy haircut? my mani in the pretty but understated color? my makeup? the Coach bag you gave me that I would never have bought for myself?  No, he said, it's just your whole look. Classy.  Put together.  Confident.

I think he means OLD don't you?!? Hahaha!

;-)

Sex Scandal

Generals Petraeus and Allen are the latest folks to be besmirched by a sex scandal. 

I used to be quite opinionated on the topic of sex scandals.  I used to think that anyone in a position of power and authority should be smart enough to rein in their libido and forgo all hints of impropriety.  In other words, if you are a philanderer you are just too dumb to be a leader.

But with so many of these otherwise decent folks brought down by their dalliances, I have opened my mind to a more forgiving attitude.  Let's face it, an extra-martial affair or finding out some guy is gay happens all the time to lots of ordinary folks. Should we expect more from our elected officials?

So I propose a new view on the subject, at least for myself.  From now on I will try and judge a person by their public accomplishments and try, as much as possible, to segregate their bedroom antics from my evaluation of their worth as human beings. 

Gary Hart, Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner, Elliot Spitzer, Wilbur Mills, Larry Craig, JFK, Mark Foley, David Petraeus and John Allen - I give you all conditional reprieves.

John Edwards - you slimeball dirtbag - Never!!

;-)

Post Election Reflection

It's been a week since the election. Four days later Florida finally figured out who we voted for (but several local elections are still being tallied).  Contrary to all the pre-election polls, Florida went to Obama.  The surprising (at least to me) election results have caused me to re-think some things. 

First of all, I have vowed to eliminate (or at least greatly reduce) my viewing of Fox News.  They were totally off with their projections and are way over the top with their fear mongering and some of their nutty pundits.  I can't watch MSNBC either because their pundits are equally off-the-wall.  That leaves CNN, the only cable news network that, in my mind, is reasonably "fair and balanced". 

Second, I realize that the country is truly changing from the one I've known from previous decades.  The ethnic make-up of the country is changing fast and forever and those folks may have different perspectives and life experiences from mine.  The things I think are most important are not necessarily what most of the country thinks are important.  Government truly is getting bigger and any "bad stuff" that happens seems to be the responsibility of the government to do something about. 

Third, I have made a personal pledge to myself to fully support the current administration and send only positive thoughts for its success.  Of course, all bets are off if they fail to fully support Israel!

:-)

30 Day Challenge

Facebook friend Samantha (Victoria's brother's girlfriend) seems to be posting "30 Days of Gratitude". 

I knew there had to be more behind this so I googled it and sure enough, it's a whole program.

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for my wonderful life and in awe of all the good things in it.  I am sure I can easily rattle off 30 things I am grateful for without stopping for air.  But I will take this "challenge" seriously and so, with a full heart, here they are:

1. my hubby
2. very special answered prayers
3. our good health
4. that I was born a Jew, the essence of who I am.
5. my godchildren and their families
6. my small but wonderful family of cousins and friends
7. that we live in the USA and this tropical paradise called Florida
8. financial security after a lifetime of work
9. retiree health benefits
10. Social Security (in a few years)
11. my beautiful home, filled with things I love
12. my weight, which I believe is optimal
13. Facebook and FB friends I've never met
14. my blog
15. the Internet, my iPhone and other techie goodies
16. favorite TV shows like Dexter and Homeland
17. memories of lost loved ones, my parents and Sheryl especially
18. Temple Solel
19. Popeyes Fried Chicken
20, Thrift Shops
21. the Broward County Library
22. my car
23. Dolly, my sweet puppy
24. Hollywood Oaks, my beautiful, well protected community
25. my closet of pretty clothes and shoes
26. a career I can be proud to look back on
27. our trip to Israel last year, the vacation of a lifetime
28. my face, which is holding up pretty well 
29. make-up! and hair products too
30. a future that looks bright

See, that didn't take long at all!  More like a 30 minute challenge...

;-)