November 2nd - All Soul's Day

All Soul's Day is a Catholic day of remembrance for friends and family that have died.

This originated from the ancient Pagan Festival of the Dead -- which celebrated the Pagan belief that the souls of the dead would return for a meal with the family. Candles in the window would guide the souls back home, and another place was set at the table. Children would come through the village, asking for food to be offered symbolically to the dead, then donated to feed the hungry.

Set the table. Light the candles. Feed the hungry.

Honor your people.

October 31 - November 1st - Day of the Dead

In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.

Yes, I know we don't live in Mexico. But it doesn't mean we can't honor the dead.

Get yourself to the cemetery.

Lucca, Italy • October, 2005

New York Post, September 29, 2006

Andy Warhol made a statement in 1968 that "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes".

Without much effort at all, Mary Clare had her few minutes of fame –– after Mayor Blumberg banned trans fats in all NYC eateries, she was stopped in the middle of 6th Avenue to taste test McDonald's french fries. She munched a few greasy spuds and gave her opinion. The best thing about the interview, she's now a "publicist". Ask for a raise!

Take the A Train

NYC never fails to amaze me.

Beyond Harlem, where the A train is no longer an express, and Manhattan Island thins to a sliver, if you get off the subway around 190th Street, and walk about a half mile on cobblestone paths that wind along the Hudson River you will discover The Cloisters.













The monastic communities have it right: rest, contemplation and gardening. If you throw in a few days of complete silence and daily liturgy of the hours I could consider signing up. Of course, only if the Ladies Aid went with me. Oh, and if we could bring laptops. And contraband was permitted.




































I see Madge diligently pruning -- controlling nature one bonsai at a time.

Astoria, Queens -- First Hand

While Mary Clare ran through Astoria Park, I roamed the walking paths and witnessed the local color. Scenario: Two middle-aged men clothed in thread-bare grey undershirts and work jeans, were perched inches apart on a bench, wildly gesticulating while engrossed in a heated discussion -- spoken in an unidentifiable Russian dialect. The boom box was across the sidewalk from them -- precariously balanced on a few rocks -- blaring Radio Free Europe. Multiply this scene with all it's permutations and you've got the complete snapshot.













At the Brooklyn Bagel Shop, the bagels are the size of a small melon. My little monkey had no problem polishing one off.













The Greek Orthodox Cathedral is a half a block from MC's apartment -- Saturday morning we clandestinely slid in and lit a candle for The Dream Weaver's success on the LSAT. Do not be confused. The altar is BEHIND the Icon door. As is the priest. Oh, and if you are a woman, you must wear a skirt and cover your head. And if you don't have a skirt, they have one for you. Vatican II did not include the Orthodox Sects -- I could have sworn we were a half a world away.