In My Mind I'm Going to Maine...

We're in the midst of a tropical depression in Miami today, causing, in the words of a famous British weatherlady's blooper...incest and rain.

It's soaking, and muggy, in the way of our tropics this time of year. Fortunately, Wifey and I are fleeing North on Friday.

We love the autumn, and last year headed to North Carolina with Eric and Dana for a little taste of Fall. We decided to reprise our getaway, but this year are headed to Maine.

I've never been to Maine (but I've been to Oklahoma). 10 years ago, on a Boston trip to watch the Canes play BC, we drove as far north as Ipswich, but didn't make it to the border.

Wifey's been a few times, with her friends. Jody has a house in Camden, and they've had several visits that sounded like a movie from the WE network --trips to outlet malls, drinking coffee on porches, watching movies that I wouldn't watch even upon threat of having my eyes gouged out --a perfect chick trip, in other words.

We're flying to Boston, and then driving to Bar Harbor. We have 2 nights there, and then crawl our way south, to Camden, and then Kennebunkport. We're staying in bed and breakfasts, and I look forward to some cool air and leaf watching (along with football watching --the Canes play Clemson on Saturday).

Eric and Dana are the perfect traveling companions. Eric researches and plans as if he were preparing a complicated cardiac procedure. He's been this way since we were 18. His choices are impeccable.

But, he's not too rigid to take a detour, which we did on several occasions last Fall. He's also a terrific photographer, and posts tons of pics after we return.

Dana and I and Wifey take great sport in making fun of his foibles, and he loves it. I guess when you're valedictorian of your college and med school class AND then top Harvard medical resident, your ego can accept some pokes...

We're going to spend the final 2 nights in Boston, where Eric and Dana lived for 5 years. We plan on eating prodigious amounts of Italian food there. Maybe we'll also head to Cambridge, and Harvard Square.

Years ago Wifey and I visited Harvard Square, and an undergraduate was at a table with a typewriter. As he'd finish each page, he'd remove it, turn it around, and tape it to the table, so his work of genius could be read by the passers by...

My friend Kenny was with us. He looked and remarked "Wow --that may be the most narcissistic way to spend an afternoon I've ever seen!" Maybe the literary genius's son is there now, doing the same trick...

Our return flight is due in Friday night, the day before the Canes play FSU. They just announced that will be a prime time game, so we can rest and recharge before the biggest game of the year.

Ah, Fall...

The Big 60

My law partner Paul turned 60 yesterday, and had a fine dinner to celebrate. Paul wanted to keep it low key, so he only had a birthday weekend, instead of a whole week. He visited some friends in Philly on Friday, and then his daughter in NYC on Saturday.

We met last night at a great Italian place, D'Angelo's, in Fort Lauderdale.

We ate family style chicken and fish, and calimari, and veggies. The food was awesome. Wine flowed, as did laughter...

Paul brought a photo collage of HIS father's 60th birthday party, which was held in Atlantic City. George would die only 6 years later, of prostate cancer...

Paul's son Alex toasted his father by noting that 60 seems different these days than it did 25 years ago. I agree: when MY father was 60, he was already an old man, in my eyes. He wasn't traveling the world, or dating a former Miss Lima...

I toasted Paul, by noting that one of his favorite lines is that "things aren't always like they appear." He likes to point out when people act contrary to their natures... I enjoy that, too.

But, last night, the appearance of the gathering was of a man very much beloved by his family and friends. As our friend Stuart noted, a man who "always knows how to elevate people, to make fun seem more deeply fun."

The appearance was accurate. For He's a jolly good fellow...

Wifey and I drove Mirta back to Miami, and we dropped by D1's apartment to fetch the granddog.

We talked about Mirta's future. With the coming changes in my law firm, there are no guarantees about her job. She's thought about moving to Madrid for 6 months or so, just to see what it's like. I hope she goes --I told her my final bonus to her would be a ticket on AA from MIA to Madrid, with an open return. She's thinking about it --it's scary to follow your dreams.

Paul has always done that --follow his dreams.

And, at 60, he's had a life well lived...

De Friended!

So I spend a fair amount of time on FaceBook (tm) since I have little productive going on at the office.

A few months ago I was on a Wantagh, LI site, and saw a familiar name among the posters. I recognized the last name as belonging to one of my Dad's business friends, and I reached out to the fellow on FB.

Sure enough, he was the son of the man I knew, and we took up a FB friendship. I'll call him Don Sucher, since that's his name, and I learned that he lives in New Hampshire and is a Neocon.

I always find it funny when Jews like me who grew up on LI start thinking they're Alabama Evangelical Christians. As if the Tea Party types have anything in common with them!

Still, Don and I posted and commented on each other's posts. His stuff was all pro Sarah Palin, Religious Right, and anti Obama.

I never met Don, but by his picture could tell he was out of nerdy LI central casting: small, balding, rides motorcycles, etc...

So my latest posting was about a minister in Georgia, an anti choice, anti gay fire and brimstone guy, who was sued by 4 boys for diddling them in the name of the Lord.

Don called me anti-Christian. I replied that though I WASN'T a Christian, I didn't think hypocritical stuff, and pedophilia made one a Christian.

For good measure, I posted a site about the spendthrift ways of Marco Rubio, a TeaParty candidate Don had lauded in HIS postings.

Well, today, Don de friended me! I was de friended by a guy I never even met!

A friend who followed our repartee commented that Don was a classic pendejo --a great Spanish term that literally means pubic hair, but is a strong put down of a person.

My political views are evolving, or de-evolving, as I age. I guess Don is sure of his, in the way the Evangelical friends he wishes he had are SURE about the Theory of Evolution being the work of the Devil, and untrue.

So --it serves me right, for dabbling in "virtual friends." I guess I do better in rhe real world, where my friends and I can share some drinks and laughs.

And, this pendejo's actions reinforce my prejudice AGAINST his type --make believe Conservatives who can't stand to hear the other side of arguments.

I think I like my Conservatives when they hang in Country Clubs, or Revival meetings --not Vietnam draft dodgers who grew up on LI...

De friended! Harrumph!

The Very Lazy Man

I had zero plans yesterday, and used my time wisely: I barely left the couch. Wifey had plans to visit her parents, and, being the unselfish type, didn't wish to interfere with their "quality time" together, so I stayed home.

Dave and Maureen stopped by to leave their little dog here --they were headed to a local resort for a night of massages, spas, and gourmet eating to celebrate Maureen's birthday. As soon as they left, I explained to the little fluffy dog that her stay here would consist of mostly sleeping, with the occasional meal, and trip outside, as needed. She assented.

As fate would have it, however, some drama was due our way. Another visit from a friend, who was greatly saddened by marital issues. Wifey and I listened, and hugged her, and told her we'd support her.

How and why people stay together is a continuing mystery to me, particularly when the kids are grown, and it's all about what's best for your own life.

I told our friend I want to see her soar again, and she will...

Meanwhile, Wifey left, and the couch beckoned...Ah, Saturday in the Fall. I watched, intermittently, 5 college football games. I watched Arkansas almost beat #1 Alabama, and I watched Stanford trounce Notre Dame. That gladdened me -I love when the sanctimonious phonies at Notre Dame get embarrassed on national tv...

I watched Boston College lose to Va Tech, and though of our friends and neighbors Pat and Susan, whose daughter Marie is a freshman at BC. They're there this weekend for parents' weekend, and I hoped BC would win. But, I know they're enjoying the gorgeous Autumn in Boston, and seeing their daughter in college, so the Eagles' loss is way down the list of importance...

Wifey came home in the evening, after taking her mother to a movie, and having a "moderately annoying" time with her parents. This was positive, since visits with her parents go from "moderately annoying" to "can hardly stand it" these days...

I took it to mean that her mother tried to make her feel guilty for not visiting or calling more less than 50 times in the 5 hours she was there in Pembroke Pines...

The record is North of 100...

I made us some herbal tea, and we sat in our library, and talked of life.

I also planned my next day, today, which is slated for more laziness...

I expect to get the Herald and Times, and read both. Wifey is going to Miami Beach to see her friend Cara, and have lunch and watch a movie on Lincoln Road. She and I saw a film Friday night, and she went with her mother yesterday, so that will be 3 movies in a weekend for Wifey. It doesn't get better than that for her...

I'll see David and Maureen in the afternoon, and then, around 5, head to Mike's house. We're going to the Fins/Jets game tonight, complements of SunTrust Bank. They gave me 4 50 yard line seats, and 2 parking passes.

I gave 2 tix to D1, and she's taking visiting boyfriend Thomas. They'll meet Mike and I in the parking lot.

I'm not very passionate about pro football, but this game is the most anticipated in years, as the Fins are 2 and 0, and their hated rival Jets are 1-1 and expected to do better.

Plus, I still love seeing events through the Ds eyes, even though they're no longer children, and D1 has never been to a major NFL game before...

Lazy weekends are the best. It's so nice to have little personal drama. A ha! That's why people stay together!

Out Da Way

As my legal career wanes, I have picked up a new, unpaid job: dog courier. D1 lives with the spoiled granddog Madeleine on Brickell, and on Tuesdays she (D1, not the dog) has 12 hours of classes at FIU. So, Wifey and I fetch the dog, usually Sunday or Monday, and keep her at our house, and then return her Wednesday.

Last Wednesday, I volunteered to drop off the Pup on my way to the office. I pulled into a spot next to D1's building, and decided to walk the dog before leaving her in D1' apartment.

She lives in a 2 building highrise. I think the oldest resident is 30. They all appear to be either graduate students, or young professionals.

They walked their dogs or young babies in strollers. A thought came to me: I'm not yet 50, and already largely irrelevant!

I've married, and had the Ds, and am in the waning years of my professional life.

And, if I'm irrelevant, how absurd is my mother's generation??!!!

I contrasted D1's building to the "retirement village" where my mother lives. It was striking. The future versus the past.

I know it's contrary to all teachings about venerating one's elders, but my mother's generation consumes. D1's produces, or is in the process of gaining to the tools to produce.

And it's a wonder to behold: the energy and optimism of their generation.

I realize my daughter's generation has their share of slugs, and living where she does attracts yuppies and strivers. But they're on the make --on their way up, even in an awful economy.

We older folks need to get out da way...

Turning Japanese

It's been an eventful week at Lake Villa Wifey and surrounding areas...

Sister Sue came in from California to stay with ancient Mom, and made a startling discovery: Mom's infrequent noctornal falls seem to have an amusing cause: Mom's been hitting the cheap vodka with great abandon!

We knew she had a ""little nip" to "help her sleep." Sue observed the 90 lb 90 year old go through about 12 oz of Walmart's Finest, topped with some juice and artificial sweetener. When Sue found her sleeping on her bedroom floor, Grandma denied intoxication, like a NFL player arrested on South Beach.


So at least we know...

Saturday, both D2 were here for a "break fast" with the family. I put it in quotes, since no one actually fasted for Yom Kippur. I guess we atoned for our sins, each in his own way, like Liberal Protestants.

We had a lot of laughs and gave ancient grandma a rare chance to be together with all three of her kids (but, alas, with only 2/6 of her grandchildren).

The Ds resumed their educations (D2 back to Gainesville; D1 back to FIU (solo 30 minutos de Hialeah)...

Yesterday, Wifey and I headed to Delray to spend some time with Sue before her California return. We left Grandma to rest, and headed to an old stomping ground --Morikami Park. MP was built on land gifted from a wealthy Japanese farmer who came to South Palm Beach in the 30s to farm pineapples. He failed at that, but made a fortune in real estate, and donated the land.

When we first moved to Delray in 1979, there was a lovely little Japanese house, and a small bonsai (are there ever large Bonsai?) garden. Now, they've built what a volunteer told us is the largest Japanese garden in the US, with a fine museum and cafe.

Wifey got a case of the Vapors, so Sue and I walked around outside, and sat by a lovely Koi pond and waterfall. We talked about ancient Mom. We concluded, again, that getting old sucks...

Wifey recovered in the air conditioning, and we three had a lovely lunch at the Garden Cafe. It was probably the best, cheapest Asian lunch I've had. Ever. Sue had terrific sushi, and I had grilled tilapia, which was so fresh I think the chef plucked it out of the pond.

We stopped at the Gramercy Deli and got NON Japanese food for Grandma --chopped liver and rye bread.

Sue is due on an 8 am plane home out of FLL. Grandma says she'll be "fine" without her aide Lousise, who doesn't return from Canada until next week.

We'll see. I guess we'll always just see...

Sanctimony

We're all judgmental of others, particularly those who say "I never judge, but..." It's the nature of humans with any sense of morality. We all have lines we say we never cross, no matter how relativistic we are...

One of the people I admire most (not the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) admits to sanctimoniousness. I was surprised recently, about his view on something very simple. It involved a fellow Jew "not properly" honoring Yom Kippur, which falls tomorrow, even though her parents were Holocaust Survivors. No --not Wifey...

It got me to thinking about the roots of my own apostasy. They began with my father.

We only gave lip service to YK in my childhood. The "fasting" probably lasted until a 2 pm pop tart, and our "break fasts" were hours before sundown.

I remember driving past a Conservative synagogue with my Dad on YK. The parking lot was empty (driving on the Holiest of Days was frowned upon), but the surrounding side streets were clogged with Jewish cars.

My father pointed it out the hypocrisy to me, and said this whole "appearance only" on the Highest Day got to him.

Now, Rabbi Yossi would say that the fact that the drivers CARED about their acts shows its innate importance --that God dwells deep down.

I don't know. I really don't. I wish I did...

So, tonight, D2 is flying home from UF via Orlando, and I plan to be at MIA rather than shul for Kol Nidre. Wifey's best friend Edna and her husband Marc are coming to town, last minute, for Marc to get a medical consult at the U.

I do plan to fast, but I'm making my own hours --probably 3 pm to 3 pm tomorrow. My friend Todd in Colorado is doing the same --he has a plane to catch YK afternoon, and figures he'll back up his atoning a few hours.

We've decided this is how modification of religion takes place --idiots like us just do our own thing, and then sometimes it catches on.

So, if a huge thunder bolt comes down and zaps me, I guess I won't be completely surprised. He IS an ANGRY God, we're taught...

T and A

So last night Wifey meet D1 for a mother/daughter dinner, and I got a ride out to Doral to pick up my Hyundai, which was in for service. On the way home, I saw a Hooters, and thought..I haven't had wings in awhile.

So, I parked, and went in, armed with a copy of New Times.

Oh my. I had been in Hooters before, but I've never seen one like this. EVERY worker there, from the greeters to the waitresses to the bus girls was knock down, drop dead gorgeous.

Wifey doesn't like Hooters. She finds the restaurant's whole concept to be anti-feminist. She thinks it exploits poor young women who happen to have been born with large breasts, or found the money to buy large breasts. She thinks the place objectifies women (I think that's the term).

Whatever. I like their wings. That's TRULY the reason I stopped in, although I knew there'd be a few attractive 20 something girls there. Beat me with a stick!

My server, Laura, was a blonde recently arrived from rural Pennsylvania, to study at FIU. I asked her how she liked Miami. "Well," she said, "I'm a little out of place here." With that, she spanked the butt of the more ample butted Latina waitress behind her, and giggled "The Latina girls have these, and I'm a skinny gringa."

The Latina smiled and said "Lauren --you are SO naughty!" I just gulped and thought "Oh my..."

I ate my wings, and read my paper, and, well, I guess, looked A LITTLE at the other servers. For the $20 dinner tab --I was Hugh Hefner for a night -- at least in my mind.

Years ago, my firm had a file clerk named Crystal, who worked at the Grove Hooters. She was a high pitched voice, seemingly dumb young lady who wasn't. She got 4.0 grades at UM. She used to say that, when presenting the check to the Viejo Verdes (dirty old men), she always touched their shoulders. She never got less than a 30% tip.

I got my check, and followed the tradition. I wished young Laura good luck at FIU.

The wings were very good, by the way...

The BLABBER MOUTH

Like many folks with a regular haircutter, I look forward to my monthly visits. Dania's been cutting my hair for nearly 10 years, and I've known her for 13. Her daughter and D2 met in kindergarten, and we used to meet at the grade school party circuit...

While Dania cuts my almost fully gray hair, we compare life stories and wisdom. Her daughter Lindsay went to Christian High School, so many of our talks were about the differences in private versus parochial education, and now, Dania's an empty nester like I am...

I tell her jokes, and she laughs, which makes me happy, and she shares her jaded "I've heard it all from my clients over the years" tales with me.

So there I was yesterday, enjoying the polite banter in Dania's chair, when the skies darkened. Wagnerian music crescendoed. The temperature fell about 20 degrees.

Stacey had walked over, and parked herself next to us.

Stacey is an acquaintance of Wifey's. She's not a bad looking middle aged woman, but she's a non stop talker and know it all.

While Dania and I were silent, she held forth on a number of topics --never coming up for air. I was trapped. I had nowhere to flee. I received life wisdom, fully gratutitous, about dealing with aging parents, how to handle young adult kids, the economy, etc...

Dania held the scissors, and I could tell she was thinking about wielding them against the intruder, but the fact that Stacey is a client of the shop restrained her.

It was so onerous.

I'm sure if you asked Stacey, she'd give you chapter and verse about what a noble, caring, and good person she is. How she dispenses all of her acquired wisdom to improve the lives of all she meets.

She was interminable.

She finally left, to go dry her nails, just as Dania was finishing. I paid her. She smiled, and said "Well, it was nice talking with you today."

It's my fault, I know. I should have shooed the boor away at the beginning, politely, with one of the many charming excuses I can always think up immediately. "Oh, Stacey --Dania has a legal question to ask me --can you give us some time" or some such.

But, for some reason, we both allowed this storm to roll in, and soak us with the ininvited deluge of advice, admonitions, "wisdom," etc...

My haircut was fine, as always. Dania texted me, apologizing, since she felt it was her shop, and maybe she should have done something about this.

Nah, I texted back --it'll make for a funny story.

Football Saturday

Well, the Canes had their biggest game in awhile, against Ohio State, and they were awful. They turned the ball over 4 times, which any football expert will tell you almost instantly guarantees a loss, especially at a hostile field.

Still, my day was a stunning success...

The team's fortunes are one thing, but for me, it's the brotherhood that means the most. I hosted Barry and his boys, Jim and his young son, and Kenny. We sat up in the football room, ate pizza, and drank beer. Eric texted throughout. I got a call from Mike, who was suffering in Colombus.

Earlier in the day, I facebook chatted with Norman, also in Ohio, as well as my partner Paul.

The point is, the Canes are a commonality to our long friendships, a departure point for our discussions, the scratch in the beaker that lets the crystals of our memories form...

Kenny left with his boy Adam, and then Jim stayed awile. I gave his boy Jacob a model T Bird car I own, and he beamed. Jim is lobbying for a pet dog, which his wife opposes, so he took photos of Jacob hugging our ancient Labrador. I'm betting Sandra relents...

As I age, I've acquired personal wisdom that gives me such joy: I only surround myself with people whose company I cherish and savor. For years, I did things out of various sorts of obligations. No more.

If you're watching a Canes game with me, it's because I've chosen you to enjoy this special pleasure with me. And I have the best time of all...

Barry, Scott, Josh and I headed for a late night frozen yogurt. We laughed more, and the boys checked out the "305 talent."

On the way home, I called D2, who was studying in her dorm. She went to a pre game Gator barbecue, but skipped the Gator's second home game. I'm so proud of her!

Today, D1 is here, fighting a virus with the help of Daddy tea, and Wifey's TLC... I think Wifey is even more excited for the unplanned Granddog visit.

I'll relax, and watch the Dolphins at 1.

The next Canes game isn't until the following Thursday. I hope they win. I know my old friends and I will talk about the game, before, during, and after --regardless of the outcome...

Go Granny, Go

My sister Trudy has been after ancient Mom to get a wheeled walker for some time now. Somehow, she never got around to it --until yesterday.

We took Grandma to a medical supply store, and picked out a shiny new 4 wheel walker. I had stopped at Dr. Eric's empty house (he had gone to Services for Rosh Hashonah) to pick up a prescription, and we used it to get the contraption. Of course, as specific as the prescription was, it didn't have the words "with seat." I took care of that with a quick lawyer's addition to the prescription pad. In the age of Obamacare, I may have committed a felony...

Grandma took off, walking faster than she has in years with the new walker. It was like getting a kid his first bike, only sadder and more pathetic. Still, we went to lunch to celebrate. The deli sandwiches were delicious.

I spoke to the Ds. D1 went to the fancy service at the fancy shul, but then realized her FIU class wasn't canceled, and she'd miss a review. I told her I was confident in her ability to solve these issues...

D2 got pressure from her largely Jewish sorority to attend services. She remained steadfastly OUT of shul. I told her I never went, either, until my sophomore year. We'll see.

She told me she bought a ticket to go to Tuscaloosa in November, to watch the Gators play the Alabama Crimson Tide. Apparently, Alabama's ZBT House is hosting a party for their Gator counterparts. I'd love to see it -- a gathering of the Southeast's future lawyers, doctors, and investment bankers...all drinking beer and looking at the young coeds...

My father in law announced, the previous evening, that he's no longer driving to visit us. He's 85, and no longer confident as a driver. The elderly decrepitude continues...

Back to the office today for me. I have a client coming in about a new case. At this point, I'm just grooming the clients for the coming takeover...

But I'm smiling, thinking of a 90 year old in Delray, sort of scooting along.

The Apostate's Shana Tova

I was raised with virtually no formal religion. I knew I was Jewish, and inherited from my father a great sense of pride about my culture, but we were,if I'm honest about it, bagel, corned beef sandwich-loving, Zionist, secular humanists.

Mt father was raised Orthodox, and he rebelled. His apostasy began as a teen, after growing up in a strictly kosher home, and ordering bacon and eggs, and surviving! Really. He told me he took a bite of the bacon, which he found delicious, and waited for thunder and an earthquake that never came. He knew at that moment that the lessons he got in shul had a healthy dose of bullshit in them, and began a lifetime of, essentially, agnosticism.

Of course, he died young of a heart attack no doubt brought on by his pre-statin era hyper-cholesterol levels -- the bacon aided this --so maybe God has a vicious sense of humor after all...

When I was Hebrew School age, he asked me if I wanted to attend. Ha! As if! My one Jewish junior high friend (this was working class, blue collar Levittown) told me to avoid those boring Wednesday and Saturday classes like the plague. Eric Grossman was incredulous at my luck --his father Buddy gave him no choice!

And so I was never Bar Mitzvahed...

I came to The U, and came under the influence of Eric and Barry, who had come from more traditional religious backgrounds. I went to services with them. I appreciated being included, but never felt the Word in my heart. I met a young Hillel Rabbi, and he used intellect to get me back to the Faith.

When Wifey and I were to marry, the Rabbi, who I'll call Mark Kram, since that's his name, counseled us, and asked to be the "third spouse" in our home. Wifey and I bought in, and seemed headed for a life of traditional Liberal Reform Judaism...

And then Rabbi Mark called a week before our wedding, to tell us we was no longer partners! He got a free trip to Israel, from Federation, and left us without a Jewish Priest! Just like that! Money beat out Faith.

We found a Relief Rabbi, but the damage was done. Wifey and I avoided organized Religion for years...until we met our Chabadnik friends.

Rabbi Yossi and NEchama brought us back. I attended services. Wifey helped build the budding Hebrew School. We made our girls attend, and become Bat Mitzvahed, although in a non mainstream way, sans the expensive party... (they still hold this against us).

But now my roots of apostasy pull me back down. Today is the Jewish New Year, and I ain't going to Shul. I feel like a lapsed Catholic passing a church on Good Friday. Part of me tells me to go, but I've decided to go visit ancient Mother instead.

D2, in a Jewish sorority at UF, is also taking the apostate route. D1 IS going --she scored a ticket to the fanciest Temple in town, a place where the women's holiday fashions rival those seen at a Miami Heat game , with (sometimes) less cleavage showing. D1's friend's Mom is a cantor at that synagogue, which I'll cal Beth Am, since that's its name...

Maybe I'll go to shul next Friday for Kol Nidre --the night before Yom Kippur --the Holiest Day. I don't know.

I DO know that confirmed Atheists turn me off as much as confirmed Believers.

I guess I'm just my Father's son...

50 Years

I was chatting with Dr. Eric last night, and he told me that his father in law Ron is being honored next week by his company for 50 years of service. 50 years!

Talk about a throw back. Who does that any more --stays with a company for so long...

Ron's a sweetheart of a guy. He has degrees from the U and UF. He's an engineer. He joined Pratt and Whitney in West Palm, probably when there still WAS a Pratt and a Whitney! And in 1960, for goodness' sakes! He was with a major military contractor all through the Cold War, and Cuban missiles, and , well, all kinds of stuff!

He and Barbra raised 2 kids in West Palm, one of whom, Dana, married Eric 24 years ago. They're blessed with 2 nearly grown grandkids. Life has been sweet for them.

And, wow --50 years! I've been a lawyer for less than half that time, and am in the process of getting out. I was fatigued after barely 20 years...

The company is sending Ron and Barbra on an all expenses trip wherever they want to go in the US. They picked Hawaii. Apparently, the company's had this program in place for awhile, and Ron is the first one to make it to the 1/2 century mark.

I've never been clear on exactly what Ron does, but I'm guessing it has to do with jet engines, since that's what P and W seems to do in Florida.

All I know is, it's nice to see a truly nice fellow recognized for his years of service. There's such an old school nobility about it.

Among my friends, I don't see it happening again. Even my doctor friends, who put so much into getting where they are --they seem ready for a change after the kids are grown...

So way to go, Ron! I smile thinking about him sitting on a Hawaiian beach, thinking back over the last 1/2 century. His type of loyal company man may not pass this way again.

Successful Test Drive

I wandered downstairs this am, and took the regular dog and granddog to get our 2 Sunday papers: the Herald and NY Times. I brought them in, made coffee and sat down in the kitchen. "Wait," Wifey said -- "let's go to the library."

So we did. We had our first Sunday try out of our new room. It worked splendidly...

The floor guys came by yesterday and put in the thresholds, which were missing when they put in the wood floors. We've moved all the books in. Wifey has finished decorating.

She's justly proud of the job she did. She bought a gorgeous wooden table that Ethan Allen sold for close to $1000, on Cragi's list for $75. She found a secretary's desk on Brickell Key for $60. The rest of the stuff came from our major house project --the post kids de-cluttering...

I put on WDNA on my old Bose radio, and soft jazz played. The dogs slept. We read and chatted. My California sister called, and we caught up with her over speaker phone.

When Wifey and I first moved in together, in 1985, it was to a one bedroom apartment near Dadeland Mall. We used to buy "General Foods International Coffees," which advertised that drinking them "celebrated the moments of your life."

We'd make one, which were delicious since they were probably 90 % sugar, and share it, mocking the commercial.

But we weren't really mocking. We were enjoying each other's company, in a simple way, over too sweet coffee...

And this am, 1/4 of a century later, we find ourselves doing and enjoying the same things.

So, we now have a great new room to moment-celebrate in...

The simple pleasures...

The Days of Awe

Ah, football is back. The only thing worth living for in S Fla in these dog days is football. And for me, that means the Hurricanes...

The first game was Thursday night. This year, I only have 2 tickets, after a few years of feeling stressed about giving away extra ones. D2 is in Gainesville, so I lost my usual Canes buddy. This year I invited my brother in law Dennis to the first game...

I had nothing to do Thursday, so I headed to the stadium early. I came prepared, with 12 oz of Stoli vodka in a water bottle, a small cooler of ice, and some large plastic cups. I parked before 5 pm, poured myself a jumbo, and started walking around the stadium.

It was lovely. I watched the early tail gaters. I strolled. I drank. I became delightfully buzzed.

I came upon my buddy Norman's friend and client Maria. She was there early, too, grilling delicious burgers and sausages. Norman's partner Scott was there, too. Like me, Scott's an empty nester, and his girlfriend isn't a football fan, so he was there sucking on a cold one.

I had found a drinking home. I ate and laughed, and chatted with a nice young lawyer from Norman's firm. He was there with his wife, who looked very pregnant, but I long ago learned to never mention that.

Norman drove up, and I chatted with his brother and brother in law. Steve, and old friend, came by. It was greetings well met fellow, hail! Lovely in the afternoon...

Eric, Dana, Josh, and Dennis arrived. I poured the last of the vodka and met them. Dennis took my cup. We went inside...

Eric,Dana, Barry, and I are sitting together at Canes games for the first time since 1984. These are heady times...

The Canes played wonderfully, and their opponent FAMU, had a great band, as always. The season is upon us, and I'm glad for it.

D1 drove to Gainesville to visit D2 and D1's boyfriend. None of them went to the opening Gator game. I watched it while texting with Eric, who DID make the trip to Gainesville to visit his daughter.

The Gators played terribly, but still beat a team that went 1-11 last year. I napped.

Tonight, Wifey and I are going to a movie.

Football continues. It is good...

Insomniacal Puppy

It's 6 am, and I've been up for 2 1/2 hours already. Ah, the inability to sleep...

I guess it's part of "man o pause." This serves me right, since I've made great sport of torturing Wifey about the female variety of this change of life.

About 1 or 2 times per week, it happens. I fall asleep fine, but 4 or 5 hours later, I'm up like a rooster at dawn. If I NEED to sleep, for maybe a meeting or hearing the next day, I'll pop a few benadryls, and that puts me out for another 6 hours or so.

But, today for example, I have no heavy machinery to operate, so I just gave in, heavy lidded, and headed downstairs.

Dogs are an insomniac's best friends. They're always ready to keep you company. When you wake them at 4 am --they couldn't be happier.

Wifey put our aging Labrador in D2's room to sleep, along with our grand dog, the Cavalier Spaniel. The Spaniel sleeps on the bed, the Lab on the floor.

I opened the door, and they trotted out. They seemed to enjoy breakfast at 4, and then the Spaniel raced out the door to chase lizards and frogs.

She insisted on sleeping on my lap, afterwards. It's nice to have the company in the wee small hours.

I love so many things about our house, but one of them is that we must be near the beginning of the Herald delivery route. The paper will be here already --usually by 6 at the latest.

I'll go read it, and see what bad news there is, along with the latest about the Canes, who start the season tomorrow night.

Big day for me --and a late Thursday. I hope tomorrow I don't see the clock before 7 am...