“Whatever We Got Going”

Life on lifes terms. One step forward two steps back. Limbo and I quote Oxford- an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state or condition.

“the fate of the Contras is now in limbo” 

Somedays the uncertainty of the somewhere in-between takes our breath away. 

We are racing against time with rapid fire speed. The aging process often feels lopsided. It’s when we feel frayed around the edges that we re-group.

Our activities on the daily were often done in knee jerk fashion. Now our knee just jerks and our daily’s offer more of a challenge.

Day dreaming is a wonderful panacea. 

The year is 1963. We are starting camp the next day. We lay out our new keds sneakers, chose a pair of “pedal pushers” a sweat shirt and one of the many tee shirts we bought at Alexanders. We grab a tennis sweater as we run out the door to catch the bus.

Ah, we remember it well. Not unlike the first day of school, camp offered unparalleled excitement coupled with the trepidation of will I meet new friends feelings. 

With our camp bag complete we get ready for bed. We finish reading one of our favorite Nancy Drew books, The Secret of the Old Clock, turn off our record player that was spinning a 78 Johnny Mathis album and ”Get Misty” as we shut the lights. Euphoric recall is medicinal and certainly helps minimize the startling tone of the in our face senior moments, that turn into where did the years go?

This is a defining moment for cleaning out our figurative closet. What shall stay and who shall go? My take away is that there is a religious and spiritual component where forgiveness and celebration hold court. 

As we are on the precipice of unknowing chapters coming our way fast and furiously -let’s fill the empty space that we made room for in our closets for those rainy days with promises of a “new.”

We will try not to stumble over the count our Blessings adages we clicked so many glasses to, as we tap into the “Accentuate the Positives.”

Oh, hey Lionel Ritchie this time we are going to “Make the Magic last for more than just night.” Let’s do it Monday.

You bring us up with predictability. Always there to add a welcomed, often needed push. You have helped to make the simplest events happenings. In times of anxiety you cut the intensity.

During big celebrations you know how to join a room and get everyone up there doing the Hokey Pokey, the slide or the cha-cha -cha.

It was clearly love at first sight. You are our go to as you ask nothing in return. In the absence of judgement you give us a leg up. We rely on your encouragement. When we are together we let you boss us around. Our biggest responsibility when we meet up is not to fall.

Anytime we’ve dared try to abuse you, we woke up with extreme regrets and vowed never do it again. Whatever we adorn you with is just fine. A lemon, an olive, a pearl onion- you’re cool, you know who you are. At times when we have been fickle, you waited and knew your appeal would win out. Thank you for adding this unrequited dimension to our lives. #Stoli you rock! Make it a Bloody and Bagels kind of day.

Connected by threads of laughter, endured thru distance and shredded by hardships. We are still together as our paths have divided, multiplied and been challenged. As a precious jewel-worn on tender occasions, displayed in a special place; polished and refurbished as needed. Forgiving, generous and embraced, as its value cannot be overestimated. A responsiblity unlike any other, for it is not obliged through birth. It continues, endures-we hold on and question how, sometimes why? Yet to loose it would mean a huge piece of us would perish amongst the rubble of disaster.

Mandy Patinkin admired from afar.

As Che in Evita the consummate star.

With your “Criminal Mind” you gave Chicago such Hope.

As Carrie’s Saul Berenson you widened her scope.

The Homeland would be safer as you exposed the truth.

With your focus on song, your loyalty strong.

You could sing from any page from The Book of Ruth.

No walk in The Park on a “Sunday Afternoon.”

You broadened our view as Seraut with his brush.

The regulars gathered round in silence and hush.

In awe as Che sang to Eva Perron.

Ah! But our breath was taken,

As Avigdor to Anshel you starred.

Never disputed you had us at Talmudic.

Yes all of us from wide and from far.

Inigo Montoya you blew us away.

Show us your hand with six fingers, please do.

Took us Over the Rainbow left a song in our heart

From there we won’t sway.

We have our head start!

14 years ago today #grateful Bright Pink. Dr. Patrick Borgen forever respected . Jodi Schneir Kreizer-my guardian angel. Pay it forward!

Puligny Montrachet with Union Square berries, flowers, peaches, corn, shishito peppers, with fresh (if you’ve got it—thyme on your side.)

We mourn and cry for the inflammatory state of terror our world is in. Some days waking up and exhuming memories of our youthful days is medicinal and the panacea we need after days of binge watching massacres, slaughtered children and visuals of the carnage of war.

So with a cup of coffee and lactose free milk, we recall our skate keys used to hold our place on the chalk drawn hopscotch board on the sidewalk. Handball at Third Ward Park- shout out to Tom Saba- the hot dog king of Passaic Park.

Who remembers the wide tooth pink plastic combs that came in the dippity do straightener box? How bout the 74 bus to the Montauk Theater and then grabbing a slice at the Pizza place across from Ginsburgs?

Ode to the greasy spoon smells coming from the Red Chimney hamburgers. How about Awful, Awfuls at Bonds, ice cream from Applegates- and Sunday dinners at the Clairmont Diner?

Loved the Friday night steak sandwiches at the Bonfire? If the guy you liked gave you his I.D. Bracelet, well you could call Sergeant Krupke and tell him Conrad just proposed to you. What we would do to get one last kiss, oh give me one last kiss from Conrad Birdie?

We loved those Days of Wine and Roses when The Bird’s gave us our first Hitchcock drink ( vodka, brandy and orange juice) while watching Perry Mason from the “Rear Window.”

Very fast Forward to last week listening to music at a venue we frequent.

At the end of this concert we were told not to leave, the doors are locked. The bomb squad was outside making certain the suspicious box they found was not a bomb.

As the announcement cleared the doors to open we exhaled and left as the crowd sauntered out the door heads down.

Dr. Strangelove knew when Sterling Hayden, the General of the army in charge of the air base started the war. He knew not to leave the decisions up to distracted Politicians. They didn’t have the ability nor the understanding as to how War begins.

So just for today during the Indian Summer of climate change on the precipice of Halloween, watch as the kids paint pumpkins, all dressed up as fun characters. Count your blessings as you eat the orange colored peeps, candy corn and a dollop of lactose free whipped cream on your slice of Pumpkin Pie.