Good Morning everyone. Today is Friday May 28. 2021. The wearher looks good but sadly is predicted to go downhill for the next two days. Today starts the Memorial Day Weekend. The first holiday of the summer season. Yes guys today starts the official summer season. Yes today also starts the no masking and social distancing in most situations. Sadly Mother Nature will not be that good to us for most of the holiday. A lot of first’s going around today.

I m sure today will bring a lot of mixed feelings about removing the mask. I myself am ready the last week or so it is getting hard to wear and breathe , maybe it was because I knew the end was insight but I thought last year it didn’t bother me, but I realized last year it was a new thing and we were not able to go and do a lot of things. Anyway why did I get vaccinated. There are naysayers out there that said we shouldn’t have been wearing a mask at all let alone this long. These are the conspiracy people that feel the whole pandemic was a hoax, I have talked to many of them and argued people died from this virus, explain that if it was not real, well their theory is there was a virus, like any other virus and most of those people had some pre existing condition. That it was just blown out of proportion to control society. Now I am not a real believer in conspiracy theories however, the older I get sometimes I see the validity to them. I would like to think JFK was shot by Oswald alone, but now with all that has come out I really do not believe it. It was a much bigger operation than we will probably ever know. Again, I would like to think poor Princess Diana died in a simple car crash but again now there is evidence to prove differently, even that fool Prince Harry is running around saying she was killed by the queen. It has been stated that the vaccine distribution in the poorer black neighborhoods is slow, but I think why not, would this be the first time these people have been poisoned by the government. That in itself is a crime, so I would not trust them either. I’m sure on Indian reservations that is also the case, those people have also been used as guinea pigs for the government. I use the term Indian because that is what I was taught, when I was taught that I was also taught they were a proud and glorious people that have lived on this land for thousands of years, so I have no disrespect in that term. Once on a family vacation we visited the Indian Tribes of up state New York and partook in many of their celebrations , once I was named the Young Chief and got to sit with him. There are films of it but I think might have long faded that’s why you need a photo. So the conspiracy theory even though is hard to swallow might have some merit, however right now I don’t believe it, maybe in 50 years the truth of this whole thing might come out but I won’t hear it, so for now I follow the guidelines.

Quite frankly, I am looking forward to see the faces of some of the people I met during this time. I want to share a smile with people again.

Well the sun was there a minute ago now it seems to be gone. So I will see you tomorrow. Remember do what makes you feel safe and comfortable, and don’t worry about what anyone else says and does. Enjoy the day Til Tomorrow!

Good Morning, today is Wednesday, May 26, and the weather is partly sunny with temperatures reaching almost 90 this afternoon. This seems like a winner to me, let’s just wait and see. Wow hump day already these weeks just seem to fly by. I think that has something to do with age. Children are always waiting or anticipating something, such as a party , the end of school, summer but at a certain age all you seem to have is time, and that is true but you must make use of that time, do the things you wanted to do all the years you worked, then you will have no time again, that’s a good thing.

Yesterday, after I left you, I virtually traveled to Italy as I told you, I had a nice breakfast of a tarrale and strong coffee. Then I set out to get the things for the picnic. Which turned out wonderful, we had mortadella, procuitto, bread and a cheese called Talliagio which I have never had before, it is like an Italian Brie. Then an apricot, no wine sorry to say, sometimes I just don’t enjoy it during the day. For dinner I made something wonderful Pacciei with mushrooms and pistachios. It was delicious, before departing for home.

I have been very remiss, when I started the blog reflections of a life my intention was to post pictures and recipes of some of my favorite culinary feats. However I have not really done that but I will change that starting today. With the summer coming and warm weather there should be some different things emerging from my kitchen because I am always looking for some different to eat. This prevents boredom and staleness from setting in. After all isn tthat what life is about living , not being bored or stagnant, but enjoying the journey. And what better way than to do it with friends and family.

This weekend starts the official summer season, Memorial Day that’s the day the pool opens and the one thing most important to me is the summer TAN. I have always been a devotee of the sun a real worshipper, so the sunscreen must be the perfect blend to ward off skin cancer but allow me to tan. This year I asked a dermatologist what to use and he gave me something and said now you can tan but no cancer. I can’t wait to use it. I believe the sun actually has healing powers, it rejuvenates you, gives vitamin d which we are all lacking, when you were sick most of the times you spent recuperating outside in the sun. Now I am not advocating laying in the sun unprotected or all day with no break or using plain olive oil, although I have done all those things, don’t do it, it’s painful. Today everyone is afraid of the sun , I think it is ridiculous especially children, let them play and enjoy outdoors. Just be cautious and smart. Of all Co Co Chanel did , I think suntanning is her greatest design. Everyone looks better with a tan.

In honor of Chanel I will bid you adieu until tomorrow, enjoy everything, I see peaches in the store pick a good one and enjoy. Til Tomorrow!

Good morning everyone, today is Saturday May 22, 2021. The weather prediction today is warm and cloudy maybe 90 degrees. I’m not sure how to comment on that, is it good or bad. I guess we will wait and see and then make the determination. But at least it is Saturday, a fun day.

Yesterday I had to visit one of my doctors, you know I am never away from one of them too long. This one has just moved into a new office, so it was my first time there. As I was sitting in the waiting room I could see the hallway of the examining rooms on the wall was a large poster of Michael Barishnikov and Rudolf Nureyev, I was mesmerized by the poster because I had seen both of these men dance many times at the Met. One at the beginning of his career and one at the end. There have been 3 male dancers to be considered the best in the world and I had seen two the third being Nijinsky who died in 1950. My love of ballet started very early in my life, my sister older than I danced from the time she was two until around 16 or 17. Actually she was quite good and I would love to watch her on stage, once when I was very young I was included in one of her numbers where she twirled me with her feet while lying on her back. Her only drawback was her size she is only 4’ 11’ not really the right hieght for a dancer none the less she did audition for the Rockettes.

For many years Marylou and I were subscribers of the American Ballet Theater, we look forward to the season every year. It made the Springtime very special especially the opening gala at Tavern on the Green. But it also gave us an opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest dancers and ballets. I could never choose a favorite because they were all so beautiful , however my least favorite was Rodeo and we always got stuck with it in our subscription.

I have always been an advocate of the arts. The arts have survived every civilization know to man, I believe because they make you civilized with beauty, culture and refinement. As important as sports are to a child so are the arts and I strongly believe they should be involved in both. When I was the liaison between the NJPAC and school I was allowed to pick two programs a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. I always chose Theater in the fall and Ballet in the Spring. I think Ballet is extremely important for girls growing up, it gives them a sense of grace and discipline like nothing else. On the other hand boys need it just as much for coordination and discipline. Many a football and soccer player has taken ballet lessons.

Both Nuryev and Barishnikov could leap to heights of six feet while in dance which is an actual feat in the world of motion. Both were a pleasure to see, however, the last time I saw Nuryev it was hard to watch, it seemed like basic movements were causing so much pain for him, but he still performed magnificently. He wil always remain one of the best, once him and Dame Margo Fonteyn recieved 89 curtain calls in my book that is the best.

The Arts, music, art , dance, theater, movement, these should never be taken lightly as I said previously they have survived the test of time and the will always survive because we need them to survive, we need the enjoyment and pleasure we derive from them. Without them we are one sided we are not well rounded . Children need them to complete an education they need exposure to everything so they can make intelligent decisions, choices and be able to think critically. These are the minds of the future so the need to be cultivated very carefully. Before I close today I want to share one last thing, I by myself maybe an aide if possible many times walked at least 30 students through downtown Newark, stopped at a restaurant and had lunch and proceeded to the theater to see a performance walked back through Newark and I never had one problem, only acolates from diners in the restaurant. My old adage when you expect nothing but the best that’s what you get the best.

Well my room is really bright today so I will wish you Vasvidania, for Nuryev and Barishnikov for today. I hope you use the day to make you happy, no matter what you do find some enjoyment, talk soon Til Tomorrow!