Pestilence, War, Famine, Hamas devastation, election year, the “D” word, Helene, Milton.
Cut to a little Levity.

“Desmond has his barrow in the marketplace.

 Molly is the singer in the band.

  Desmond says to Molly, “Girl I like  your face.”

  And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand…

Oct 9, 1949- Liverpool

Happy b-day John Lennon

Dear Prudence, won’t you come out and play and greet the brand new day. Who knows how long I’ve loved you, you know I love you still, will I wait a lonely lifetime, if you want me to I will. 

I think I’m gonna be sad, I think it’s today. The girl that’s driving me mad is going away.

Cause one day you’ll look to see I’ve gone but tomorrow may rain so I’ll follow the sun –

So as I see it you gotta pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues cause –

There is music they tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and dew,

there is love all around but I never heard it playing no I never heard it at all till there was you.

I wanna hold your hand as we cross Abbey Road, so don’t let me down-love me do.

Please don’t twist and shout because she says she loves you and you know that can’t be bad. Anytime at all, all you got to do is call and I’ll be there.

Cause when I’m home, everything seems to be right, when I’m home feeling you holding me tight. And if you want some fun try Ob-la-di, ob la-da – Life goes on!

Mangiare e Bene-

We sit down at the table, pass around the basket of bread.

Our menu in our hands, ordering we do dread.

Pasta, pasta everywhere, but not a drop to eat.

We love to see our peeps, we eat and then repeat -AGAIN?

With some laps around the clubhouse pool.

And a walk around the lake.

Another fettuccine bolognese we really cannot take.

Our pants are getting tighter, as the buttons they do pop.

And then we order dessert and pull out all the stops.

Four forks around the key lime.

Or a spoon for creme brûlée.

A holy moley to the cannoli.

Decaf cappuccino on the side.

We glance into the mirror, as it really tells no lies.

Our girlish, curvy figure, so very far away.

When we get up in the morning we start a brand new day.

A scoop of some plain yogurt- add a banana to the bowl.

We have yet to stand on the scale.

The Veal Milanese has taken its toll.

As we dress for one more table and another group of friends.

The caring and conversation we trust will never end.

If we eliminate the bread, skip the pasta page indeed.

Perhaps some broiled salmon, is exactly what we need.

Have a great Sunday-

Finding Nemo- coming soon to a theater near you -On Demand.

You had us at Fish Tanks. Our early fascination with the fish tank in the dentist’s office was only surpassed by the candy dish at the reception desk.

Are dentists cavity enablers? Have a cleaning and a lollipop? Please fact check Herbie Frankel.

On to our fascination with Nemo.

The Daddy, son, divers, water adventures and scary lost moments all in one. The adventure story is about Nemo (who is limited by his foreshortened fin) proving his independence and breaking away from his school of fish family.

Fast forward to the part where Marlin (daddy) and Nemo(son) are reunited. The audible sighs, at that split second, echoes in our minds. Ah! You can always find your way back home.

A spin on the primordial announcements over the P.A. system in E.J. Korvettes, the all purpose store of our youth. It went something like this. “Attention shoppers, we have Freddy here please come claim your child.

This mimics the relief we felt as Marlin’s journey to rescue his son is realized. Anything short of “those” people who strapped a pet like leash to their kids waists and led them around – the real nightmare.

So during these Ten Days of Repentance, we’ll engage our early childhood days in another euphoric recall moment.

The Howdy Doody(not bathroom language) days. How about Bozo the Clown and the Captain Kangaroo shows- what was really in the Captain’s oversized pockets? How many times did we ask our parents- is the dummy really talking as we watched Jerry Mahoney upon Paul Winchell’s knee. Who was really the dummy? Knucklehead Smiff love that name still. The only one not fascinated by Charlie McCarthy was undoubtedly Candice Bergen. We’d be remiss in not recalling Pachalafaka- hello Soupy Sales- prototype for the freak. We learned early on through Bud Collyer how difficult it is to Beat the Clock.

So as we “fall” ahead with no falling back excuses we relish welcoming a new Life chapter.

Hit it Barry Manilow. “ We’re going hoppin, we’re going hoppin today, where things are popping the Philadelphia Way. We’re gonna drop in on all the music they play on the Bandstand (Bandstand. )

Remember Dick Clark’s legacy lives on in perpetuity. Make it a great Saturday.

Dear Our New York, Our Friend.

The safety of your harbor.
Your crescent shaped appeal.
Could fill a bottomless pit emptiness.
We really had some deal.
Your allure and all your glamour.
From every pillar to every post.
Almost on the daily you proved the consummate host.
The streets were jammed with clamour.
Central Park our landing pad of choice.
We rarely missed an opening.
So many opportunities to rejoice.
Shared songs at your great venues.
Danced on too many floors to count.

There never was a question.
You were where we did belong.

The seasons changed with such panache.
The leaves, the snow and the flowers they did bloom.
Our frowns would turn to smiles.
Never sat with doom or gloom.

Your restaurants encouraged our palette.
Started with foie grois ended with chocolate soufflé.
Never missed an opportunity to window shop and stray.
As we collected a lifetime of memories.
Full-filled so many dreams.
It’s time to say we’ll see you.
On the road our show we’ll take.
We packed our stacks of pleasure.
On the wonder you create.
Hit it.
“From the very heart of it New York, New York. If we made it here, we’ll make it anywhere… With ❤

Repost Saturday.

There’s a hold up in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s broken out in fights. There’s a traffic jam in Harlem- that’s backed up to Jackson Heights. There’s a scout group short a child, Khruschev’s due at Idlewild- “Car 54 Where Are You?”

Gunther Toody and Officer Muldoon- where are you when we need you? Indelible visuals of their caricatures implanted in our minds. We only wanted them to get back together as partners. Chemistry strong.

My go to is Barbra with an A. “Was it all so simple then or has time re-written every line?”

Johnny on The Pony was a fave, rough housing at its best. Great memory and first glimpse into early on-set competition was watching the boys play skully. Remember flicking bottle caps onto a chalk made skully board? Object not over-flicking–nope it’s on the line.

When the going was good, with euphoric recall, we remember the days of no wine, maybe sweet sixteen roses. We drew the hopscotch board on the part of the sidewalk that was flat.

Throwing our skate key as our hopscotch shooter was the thrill- where would it fall? Happy to land with two feet on 3 and 4 or 6 and 7 (double squares). Jumping rope, (sorry no double dutch here) trading Barbie clothes and discussing what happened on last nights episode of The Patty Duke Show are such comforting memories of times well lived.

A simple worry was that the street light would go on before we found our skate key en route home to watch the latest episode of Dr. Kildare, (Richard Chamberlain) was very cute just turned 90.

We loved playing stoop ball- loosely based on baseball, only we used a Spaulding and retrieved it from the stoop steps, rather than from a batter. Big favorite was the game of Jacks. We didn’t care that we were often left with scrapes on the side of our hands from pinky to wrist. Bacitracin and band-aids were big in our house. The boys on the block played Stickball, (baseball with a stick.)

And then came the “Whistle.” I think our father practiced it a few times before we heard it coming as a “it’s time.” We did not look forward to hearing that sound at all, and in the middle of a game-ugh! “But Daddy we aren’t done. Please, just a little bit longer.” Denominations of time didn’t matter. Ten more minutes would have done. We cherished these after dinner nightly reunions. Our early childhood friends are still part of us.

Now we share Nexium, isometric tips and compare blood pressure meds. Just sayin. The crescendo of childhood memories was getting our baby bead bracelets with the letters spelling our names and encased in gold. Our piece of the sky, indeed. Ok, then, so with resignation and dismay we left the street. Bath time, Dr. Kildare and maybe some of Pinky Pinkham( Dorothy Provine) singing a few tunes at the Charleston Club. The corners of our minds are filled with the innocence of skate keys, Nancy Drew books and red licorice; never a clue that Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five would become the thundering moral statement of our time. Oh, what I would give to hear that infamous whistle beckoning me to come in, just one more time- And Daddy this time I would come right in -Papa.
Make it a good Saturday!

Reach high reach far your aim the Sky your goal the Stars.

Nora Johnson wrote one of our all time favorite movies -The World of Henry Orient- The story is loosely based on her very New York City schooled at Brearley, luncheoned at Romanoff’s, tea at The Plaza Hotel life. She lived until she was 84.

With financial indulgences galore by luck and emotional limitations in abundance as a by product of a divorced home she struggled to manage a balanced and well integrated life.

She had three marriages, several children and grandchildren and attained a great deal of success through her well received books. Her third, late in life relationship turned/marriage came when she was 71 with a man who was 84.

The net/net on their years together was best summed up by her. And I quote- He had said I was his last, loveliest adventure and he brought joy and magic to my life. He died when he was 91 and I was 78. Only then did I start to get old.

Attached is a blog from April 27, 2016 – The World of Henry Orient.

Our dream away movie starring Peter Sellers as an eccentric concert pianist and two young Brearley-esque ingenues who groupie their way around New York City.

My friends and I had a crush on the entire movie. The friendship between Val and Gil served as the prototype for our best friendships and our shared tuna fish sandwiches with malteds stirred by long pretzels. It was based on a book by Nora Johnson written in 1964. The movie directed by George Roy Hill extrapolated the medicinal value of gal pals.

My friends and I had our own Henry Orient in high school. Mr. Schmoltze the Director of the all school musical was our McDreamy. With luck our earliest friendships have sustained throughout our lives and still touch us deeply. We have generationally embraced each others children and grandchildren – shout out to Jen and Brooke. Sometimes we call our friend just to hear her voice.

There is a treasured certainty in knowing we haven’t thrown each other out after all the tales of woe we’ve shared. Our discussions so much cheaper than therapy. We paint a picture, create a collage or write a poem inserting a compilation of shared pictorial memories. We used to borrow clothes and trade pocketbooks. Now we share medical advice. Here’s looking at you ladies. We got this. With certainty we know we will never “Walk Alone.”

Ringo meditated his way into his “80’s.”
A relic, in the pantheon of Rock is how he Rolled.

The ever present thought of aging, rapidly taking its toll.
Rounding out numbers a blessing, yes privileged.

The progression our story at hand.
A series of Turkish soap operas, The Beauty Queen of Israel, and Fauda.
We marvel at the talent, the brand.

Moving slower as time moves more quickly.
Love watching the shows on Demand.
Our mistakes, our misfortunes our loses.
All mixed right into to the fold.
A lifetime of lessons through falling.
Getting up, while we brush off the story untold.

Reevaluation a constant envoy.
Of the people who get in our way.
Our inventory of “friends” going forward.
Positioned center stage on display.

Primordial lessons of kindness.
Comes, first second and third.
And so who will make you do push-ups?
In lieu of cheering you along.

Get rid of the the flies in your picnic
Hold tight to the words in your song. Amen!

Wine and cheese, yes please.
Babka and decaf sure.
Stoli and pretzel splits – now you got us going.
We think we’re going to like this.
We’ll stick around for more.
Tennis and golf and canasta and mah jongg.
We’ll sit at tables and think -we could get along.
A bagel, a schmear .
Some sushi and sake.
We’re on a roll.
Maybe knock hockey.
Wiser by choice.
A flu shot indeed.
A trip to the flea market- a new watch band -agreed.
Are we living the dream?
As we binge watch and stream.
Shuffle board and beach passes.
Tuna from Bagel Works.
Up early for Pilates- keep moving good bye kinks – shifting quirks.
Water aerobics and a stretch class or two.
Whoever thought we’d splash on Canoe. 
Non-sequiturs strong.
Our parents lives we’re living.
We have no more words- as we are much more forgiving.
Ok, now let’s get going.
We need to go online.
They are taking reservations a month in advance.
Don’t want to miss the early birds while we have the chance.
Vayismir.

We got “Swept Away” by Lina Wertmuller, the Italian Filmmaker with an unmistakable style who left her mark on Italian and worldwide cinema. 

Sylvia Weinstock the “da Vinci of Wedding Cakes,” added tiers (tears) to her wedding cake wonders. She produced floral-drapped architectural works in the shape of rose-studded topiaries, baskets of speckled lilies and bouquets of anemones. She didn’t start baking until she was in her 50’s. Yes, my point. They both lived well into their 90’s. They knew to stay away from people who started fires and then played the burn victims.

Long livers all with passions strong. They focused on their interests and fine tuned their talents. Sylvia was lucky in love. She grew up in Brooklyn and went to the beach on the Rockaways with her friends on summer weekends. One summer day she walked over to a group of boys and asked who wanted to go swimming with her? One of the guys walked her to the ocean and as it turned out down the aisle.

Top of mind focus as we have stepped into our 70’s is trying to live our best physical selves and making our relationships stronger as they get longer. Studies show “forgiveness” is one of the optimum characteristics that exists in lengthy relationships. 

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara the Japenese physician and longevity expert who lived until the age of 105 suggested these tips and suggestions worth paying attention to. As follows. 

The obvious well played song book we grew up with included staying active, keeping busy, 3 squares a day, take the stairs and exercise your way to 40 carrots for Bloomys favorite yogurt of choice.

One take away from his study was to have fun and learn to minimize pain. Net, Net.

And I quote “Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it.” If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, it switches their attention till the kids tylenol kicks in.

Betty White believed honing her passions kept her going strong. The love she had for animals was palpable. Her charities speak for themselves. She kept humor at the forefront. Her motto “Forgiveness” works in your favor. She epitomized Fun.

Norman Lear and Carl Reiner went to funny, especially when things weren’t. Belly laughs over inside jokes -a huge panacea for what ails us. 

Hit it Irene Cara- “I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly. I’m gonna make it to heaven, light up the sky like a flame. I’m gonna live forever, baby remember my name.”

Keep on loving your rescue dog, a.k.a. your baby. Make a shadow box  collage for your grandchild’s big birthday. Knit your friends new grand baby a beautiful blanket – shout out to Debby with a Y. Showing love through what you can do with your hands is a gift that keeps on giving. 

“Sail on silver girl.

    Sail on by.

   Your time has come to shine.

    All your dreams are on their way.

   See how they shine.

   Oh, if you need a friend.

   I’m sailing right behind.

   Like a bridge over troubled water.

   I will ease your mind. 

 Thanks Paul Simon for those lyrics straight from your heart. We will be humming them all day.