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Some years ago while on a trip to England, I encountered some words and expressions that made me realize the importance of being bilingual in the English languages. For example, I asked someone in London where I could find an ATM. She looked nonplussed, but her companion translated, “he means [...]
We’re well into the holiday season now. And while the holidays are joyous, they can also be expensive. At this time of year, many people make spending decisions they end up regretting. But you can enjoy the holidays and still stay on track toward your financial goals by following a [...]
Unlike a certain monarchy I know of (hint: it’s just north of New York), we Americans have democracy, and the first week of November, we will have voted for somebody to be our leader. But not our Dear Leader or Beloved Leader. Just a plain ordinary Leader. Which brings me [...]
As the chilly, fall weather grinds ceaselessly toward winter, unpleasant memories creep into my mind of slush, ice, frigid weather and short days. The season erodes my tolerance. So, for the next two columns, I’d like to propose novel destinations and ways for retirees to escape the worst of winter. [...]
Even though Halloween is barely over, Sun Youth is already in the Christmas spirit—and has been since the end of August. The Christmas Basket Campaign is a 30-year tradition that helps feed 18,000 people between December 18 and 24th. In addition to providing food for the holidays, Sun Youth will [...]
“Thank you, dear Lord, for our daily bread.” Amen. In these times, “bread” encompasses a huge variety of foods available in supermarkets; healthy foods, marginally healthy foods and unhealthy food. What is considered “good” food is not always perfectly good. Apples are sprayed, so you must wash them well, but [...]
I am a sucker for gimmicks that promise a quick fix to a problem. I avoid shopping channels, which I find mesmerizing to the extent that I am not able to resist some of these miracle products. In my kitchen is an unopened jar of coconut oil that I purchased [...]
You have left a certain amount of money as a retainer; will you ever see any of it again? To what use will it be put? You know you will have to pay for the time the lawyer uses to write letters or make phone calls, but there was also [...]
If a reader peruses this article, should I be a) disinterested, or b) nonplussed? It depends on the meaning ascribed to the three italicized words. Let me explain. Traditionally, “disinterested” meant impartial, but nowadays the majority of people use it to mean “not interested.” I regret this modern usage because [...]
As I write from the safety and luxury of my Manhattan hotel, it’s 24 hours after hundreds of New Yorkers and New Jersey residents discovered their homes were destroyed by fire or submerged in water, their businesses gone with the wind, their lives turned inside out till further notice. We [...]
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