As a kid, I liked “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” One of the main reasons was the music played so well by Vince Guaraldi’s trio. The Linus and Lucy theme is the most famous, but they’re all great. https://youtu.be/x6zypc_LhnM?si=nN4-Zxv8IrGKH3aP If you want a good laugh, watch this scene from Talladega Nights. I know of no other …
Beth and I have been talking a lot about the holidays. This time of year, we perform our show, “Happy Holidays Around the World,” at schools to great acclaim. But do we feel the magic of this season when we come off stage? Not really. I think we are among those who enjoy the holiday …
For the 4th consecutive year, I’m running the visuals from behind the screen for the Annual John Lennon Tribute concert at Symphony Space in Manhattan. Being upstage, I get a lovely view of many musical backsides! When I was a ten year old kid, I pulled the curtain at my parent’s community theatre. That was …
Well, it’s official: the leader of the Democratic Party has pardoned his son and simultaneously given up the moral high ground. In doing so, I believe that the party may have just declared, “if we can’t beat Trumpism by telling Americans the truth, we have no choice but to sink to their level.” Yikes! What …
I love learning. To me, there’s nothing more satisfying than exploring, cultivating and (eventually) conversing with others about ideas. Those of you who read this blog will find no surprises here. Since Tuesday, I have been taking time off for rest and repair. My mind and body both said, “enough,” to the pressures and even …
About a week ago, Beth and I joined our friend and realtor, Judy, to see a home in nearby Hurleyville, a small village in Sullivan County. The single level ranch has three bedrooms, two full baths and a large living room suitable for hootenannies and a generous dining room. It’s a tastefully decorated and updated …
I am grateful for… My life, health, body, mind, talents and willingness to learn. I am thankful for Beth, my children, parents, the rest of my family, my friends, clients and the children and adults we serve. I am grateful to be an American, to have a nice home in a safe place with all …
One of the things we learn about in our Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings and readings is the concept of Unexpressed Grief. In an alcoholic or dysfunctional home, the chaos often causes family members to “numb out” in order to survive. I was one of those folks for a long time and I still periodically …
Sometime in the last few years, I floated an idea to Beth and a few close friends for a concept called, “What’s True?” It could be a radio program, a series of articles, a book, or a podcast whose purpose is to bridge the partisan divide by showing people coming to agreement on what are …
Are you a perfectionist? Fortunately, I am a recovering one. At my worst, I can be like the fellow in The Rolling Stones song, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” I can’t get no satisfactionI can’t get no girl reaction’Cause I try and I try and I try and I tryI can’t get no, I can’t …