What money can’t buy …

After yesterday’s post was published a friend emailed me to talk about it. One of her comments was in reference to my recollections of the Christmas lunches my father and grandfather had for their staff — her point being that it was probably those acts of kindness and generosity that were, in large part, what made their employees so loyal.

She was right, of course. My dad and grandfather treated their employees kindly, fairly and respectfully everyday, not just once a year at lunch. And in return, they had virtually
no staff turnover.

The comment got me thinking and, almost immediately, my

What is it about the Holidays?

Well, Chanukah and Christmas are over for another year and I’m sure I’m not the only one for whom this season triggers many memories.

Christmas wasn’t a holiday we celebrated when I was growing up, we didn’t have a tree or exchange gifts, but we certainly got into its joyful spirit. Ours was a close family, and we spent just about every day and evening together for that week. Good times, good food and much laughter is what I remember.

Like all kids, I looked forward to being out of school for a

Strangers in the night

I had a party to go to last Thursday night. It was mid-afternoon when I realized I should probably book a taxi (not an Uber fan) in advance, it being Christmas party season and all — when anyone with even half a brain leaves their car at home.

When I got downstairs there was no sign of the cab, which is very unusual — at least in my experience, especially when I’ve reserved one. Seems there was a fire somewhere — the concierge said it was in a subway, although I haven’t been able to verify that. But wherever it was, it was playing havoc with the traffic and cabs were in demand.

But I did notice a man standing outside, with a suitcase, also waiting. Not wanting him to take my cab, I sidled up to him and asked if he

As the year draws to a close …

I was introduced to Pema Chödrön, the American Tibetan Buddhist nun and teacher, back in 2014 on an Oprah Winfrey show, Super Soul Sunday. I  was instantly enthralled, just loved what she had to say and have been following her ever since, although not religiously (no pun intended).

Last Saturday she showed up in my Facebook newsfeed. She was the subject of a story from a Brain Pickings newsletter.

Brain Pickings, which I’ve been subscribing to for several years, was founded by the writer and MIT Futures of

Feeling hopeful … hopefully … ?

It started last Friday with the news that Mike Flynn had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and was cooperating with the Mueller investigation.

“Be still my heart,” I thought, “this could be big.” “Big,” because the Mueller team has a lot of evidence on a lot of Flynn’s wrongdoing; and they could have indicted him on much more serious crimes. Crimes that would have carried a long, long jail term — thirty years or more.

And so, I thought — hoped — if Mueller was willing to pass that up and settle for a much lesser charge — one that would carry a much shorter jail term — then he (Flynn) must have some pretty powerful evidence on a much bigger fish. A