Monthly Archives: October 2011

The High Line: A Different Way to See NYC

Posted on October 31, 2011 by

What’s great about New York City’s High Line is what it doesn’t have. There are no concessions selling souvenirs or hotdogs. The mile-long pedestrian walkway brings people to an area of the city they’d normally ignore. The former rail road … Continue reading →

Posted in art, environment, New York City | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Singing… my new iPod

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

The iPod is 10 years old. For some time, I was the only family member without one; rectified by a birthday present, despite my inept technology skills. I forced myself to take the time to learn how to download a few … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrations, commentary, Education, exercise, Family, health, parenting, teaching, teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Big Year Birds

Posted on October 24, 2011 by

We were ready. Binoculars, wide-brimmed sunhats, water and a picnic lunch.  Uncle Howie and Aunt Peggy were taking the family to a state park outside Tucson, Arizona. To hike.  And to bird watch. As we piled into the rental van, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, environment, Family, Movies & TV, Reading, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Accepting the Inevitable

Posted on October 20, 2011 by

I resisted. I denied. I procrastinated. I sang:   Then I accepted. Then succumbed. I turned on the heat.  The house is just too cold in the mornings. I had to do it. Summer is over. Time to shift the … Continue reading →

Posted in collections, Fashion, Knitting, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Bullying & Books

Posted on October 17, 2011 by

Imagine this conversation: “What did you do in school today?” “Reading, gym, Spanish, bullying.”  Anti-bullying is the latest curriculum addition, becoming mandated in school districts around the country. Everyone grows up being bullied in some way. Teased about clothing, looks, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Education, parenting, Reading, Shakespeare, teaching, teenagers, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Cycling Sicily: Sheep, Seafood, & Salt Marshes

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

Our four –day cycling  trip through Sicily’s northwestern corner began in the village of Scopello,  a tiny farming hamlet complete with olive groves, prickly pear trees, and a stone public water fountain where residents bring empty bottles to fill for … Continue reading →

Posted in bike riding, Cycling, exercise, food, travel | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

South Bank Ramble: The Headless Man & Other Sights

Posted on October 10, 2011 by

   Advertisers probably  could learn a trick or two from street entertainers.  To attract an audience and lure some loose change  into their overturned hats, these performance artists have to grab people within seconds or they’ll walk on by. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Shakespeare, travel | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Balancing Beliefs: From Yiddishkeit to Orthodoxy

Posted on October 5, 2011 by

There’s an old joke about Jewish holidays: “They tried to kill us. We survived. Now let’s eat!” That sort of sums up my relationship with Judaism growing up.  My family, culturally connected yet spiritually secular, gathered at my grandparents’ farmhouse … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrations, Family, food, holidays, Judaism, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Kalamazoo Weekend: Tennis, Taxis & Trains

Posted on October 3, 2011 by

This weekend began a week ago with a phone call. “Mom, I fractured my hand.” My daughter telling me this, brushing it off as a minor injury that resulted when someone tripped over her at a concert. I immediately panicked … Continue reading →

Posted in bike riding, daughters, exercise, parenting, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments