Sunday, a blustery day, finds me in the city, destination: the Rubin Museum of Art. Since discovering this sanctuary a few years ago, I’ve been here more times than I’d been to its former incarnation, Barney’s New York, legendary for its own transformation from name-brand men’s wear at discounted … [Read more...] about The spirit of place
From Karaoke to Chabad: By any name a simcha
A recent night smack in the middle of the week finds me sitting at a table in a party/reception room at a yeshiva in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. A cousin’s daughter, brought to new levels of devoutness during her college years and immersion in the Chabad way of life, has become engaged to a young … [Read more...] about From Karaoke to Chabad: By any name a simcha
Divesting
Behind a very beautiful corrugated wall of perforated aluminum in my downstairs family/entertainment room are shelves and shelves of ‘stuff.’ Blankets and books. Assorted theatrical lighting accumulated from my husband’s days as an interior designer. Suitcases and a toolbox or two. A classic … [Read more...] about Divesting
12/31/12: On the Edge
There invariably comes a moment at a Leonard Cohen concert when singer/songwriter gives way to pure poet. The softer he speaks, the more closely you listen. It’s a marvel to me, hearing echoes of a song I love, words that were their own music before they would become a song. If the achingly … [Read more...] about 12/31/12: On the Edge
Fortune
Three Fortune cookies, still in their cellophane wrappers, sit in a bowl on the center island of my kitchen, remnants from last night's take-out. If I wait for the right moment, I figure, one of them will beckon: crack me open, see what I have to offer. It's not the taste of the cookie that ever … [Read more...] about Fortune
The Finish Line
There are so many ways to say something has come to an end, each with its own nuance. Kaput. Conclude. Terminate. C'est fini. C'est bien fini. No más. Finale, grand or otherwise. The end of a war is always a good thing, the end of a life dependent on the circumstances. Coming to the … [Read more...] about The Finish Line
