Lorraine and I had two separate appointments to meet two of our three children on a Saturday in Manhattan. The problem: one appointment was at 11 a.m. at the Brooklyn Diner at 57th St. and Broadway. The second was at 4:30 p.m. at Dag Hammersjold Plaza (at 41st St. and Second Avenue).

What to do in between appointments for three and a half hours!

Solution: Find a nice shady spot in Central Park and bring the entire Sunday edition of the New York Times (most of which comes on Saturday).

We found an idyllic bench just outside of the Children's Zoo and ensconsed ourselves. The beautiful people paraded by in beautiful clothing and were all regally coiffured. Just reading the Times and viewing the strollers-by in a relaxed setting is a wonderful way to pass time.

Across the path an artist sketched in charcoal. He was the best and most successful of the many sketchers on the road. Twenty or 30 people stood watching behind him. As he drew we discovered his secret - he brought out and over-emphasized the best features of his subjects, who were not always extremely attractive.

He used a powder brush to soften the harsh aspects of the faces he was portraying. No one looked bad and everyone was happy. They usually gave him more money than he requested. Was he lying or just trying to sell his art? I remember President Lyndon Baines Johnson refused to accept a portrait of himself, that he felt was less than flattering. I never sat for a portrait, so I am completely unaware of the business and monetary details of the contract.

In viewing our friends, family, children and/or acquaintances, do we sometimes bypass their negative traits and concentrate only on the positives? Should we become accountants and set up a plus and minus column for these people? Some people are more interesting due to their flaky eccentricities.

Must everybody be flawless? I hope not! I would have to stop associating with all my old Bronx pals that I grew up with. They, in turn, would have to drop me.

As I watched the artist, I contemplated having my portrait done. He would accentuate my positives and eliminate my negatives.

I, Stanley Greenberg, would be flawless!! Naah! I don't think I could handle perfection.

P.S. In answer to the many people who have e-mailed inquiries, I will reveal the "Miraculous Cure," next week. Stay tuned!