Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: October 20, 2011

‘America, America’

Europe – too expensive?

The Euro – too strong versus the dollar?

Language Problems?

The Hudson River Valley is “the landscape that defined America.”

How about a railroad trip up the Hudson River? Lorraine and I are going to a Bar Mitzvah in Albany, the state capital.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: October 13, 2011

77

Men usually gauge their lives by the amount of years that their father lived. When they approach that number, they get uneasy and a bit uncomfortable. It has no rational basis, but it is just a rule of thumb or a bad guess.

My birthday is Oct. 13, 1934. That calculates out to 77 years on Thursday. Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America day is Oct. 12, 1492. I always joked that “I was born on the day after Chris discovered America.” “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue!”

A Bird’s Eye View: October 13, 2011

Migrating Raptors Leave ‘Footprints’

Last year, the first Saturday in October had the makings of a big day at the Fire Island Hawk Watch. The wind was out of the northwest and a cold front had come through after a previous day of rain, indicating that a large number of migrating raptors should be flying by.

The hawk watch platform itself is a two-tiered wooden structure designed for hawk watchers to count migrating raptors during the fall. The upper tier has an excellent view of the horizon, but today space there is scarce. I stay below where there are three photographers. During the course of the day, the images on their camera screens are going to change how I think about bird photography and will have an unconscious effect on me that I won’t realize for nearly a year.  

Over 60…And Getting Younger: October 6, 2011

Friendship

Friends fall into three categories:

There are the childhood friends, early-adult and just married friends, and the recently acquired senior friends.

The kindergarten and public school chums are a delight because they unleash memories of early and carefree years that have faded from our daily existence. Hopefully, they are in good health so that illness does not change or impinge on the relationship. Old stories and old deeds come to mind and seeing them triggers a whole mental scenario. They are irreplaceable and they understand us in depth as we appreciate and comprehend them.

From the Desk of Assemblyman Charles Lavine: October 6, 2011

October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remember those who have lost the battle to breast cancer and support those who continue the fight daily. Thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, more women are winning the fight against breast cancer. As we continue to progress toward a cure, we’re also learning more about how to prevent the disease.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 29, 2011

Life Is Beautiful!

In my last column, I must have sounded very despondent. The column was called “Inner Thoughts” and in it I sounded as if I were complaining about growing older and losing some of my life skills.

I was rejuvenated by three e-mails from three of my compassionate readers who picked up on my insecurities. I am thankful for the three messages that tried to cheer me up. Each letter made me get a hold of myself and stop public weeping and feeling sorry for myself. Their names are mentioned here: Beth, Rick Feinstein, and Phyllis and Jerry Tenenbaum.

Parenting Plus: September 29, 2011

Hurricane Hangover

Although I am a month behind the news cycle, I have hurricane hangover. The soundtrack of my life during the build up to Irene was like the theme from Jaws, that universal jingle of impending doom. I live in Long Beach, close to the bay and canal and a few blocks from the ocean.

I am not one of those who thought the warnings were overhyped or unjustified. I think it was the right thing to do, to warn people and issue orders for mandatory evacuation. I did evacuate my family. And, although we did not suffer any damage I do not regret evacuating. I felt the same way decades ago when hurricane Gloria blew in. I wanted my children then, who are young adults now, to know that they should take hurricanes seriously.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 22, 2011

Inner Thoughts

As I look at the last few tomatoes and impatiens struggling against the cool weather I try to compare it to a human existence. In my column I try not to be overly sentimental, but these thoughts have been intruding on my consciousness more and more.

My tennis game, which I was proud of five years ago, is one of the victims. My A-minus status has descended into C-plus or B-minus. Also, I need more sleep to get through the day. My pace of living has also slowed a bit. I am not used to being lethargic. I was always a firecracker, springing to the task at hand.

Liver Lines: September 22, 2011

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body while the skin is the body’s largest overall organ. Many liver problems will manifest on the skin and an astute observer can diagnosis liver conditions by carefully examining the skin. Skin manifestations are one the most common ways that liver diseases show themselves and often these findings provide the first clues to underlying liver disease. A good understanding of the skin manifestations of liver disease prepares the non-dermatologist for more accurate and improved diagnosis and care.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 15, 2011

What a Racket!

New York City held its share of the Tennis Grand Slams in late August. It came after the Melbourne, Australia, Paris, France, and London, England tournaments. New York’s share came during the September 11, 2001 memorial services. The tournament’s presence confirms NYC as one of the major urban centers of the world.

Tennis players from around the planet came to try their luck and skill at surviving the luck of the draw in Flushing Meadows. There were about 100 invitees and 16 or so qualifiers. The qualifying round pitted young and upcoming players against each other to enter the group.