All The Best

Death and taxes

How do you deal with uncertainty?

Uncertainty is a feeling which leaves me feeling uncertain.

Saratoga sparkling water is a favorite of mine. Not my regular order. In Saratoga, there was a coffee named Death Wish but I had sampled *Liquid* *Death* in Central Park.

There is nothing certain but death and taxes.

Batcheller Mansion in Saratoga Springs lends a phantasmagoric touch to the skyline. The Saratoga skyline, I might point out, is no taller than the four storey line. The minaret meets this skybound boundary.

The interesting building was designed by Albany architects, Nicols and Halcott, in 1873. Its Victorian and eccentric details are preserved by the nine room b-and-b standing on Circular Drive.

No, not him…

Which author would you love to have dinner with?

Dostoyevsky popped to mind, but of course, I haven’t any intention of dining with him.

My truth, folks, I have never even cracked open one of the old boy’s books. Not the intellectual I claim to be. Sorry.

Shall I answer your question? I do admire and envy many of the many writers whose works I read. Some are contemporaries and I suppose a dinner would not be impossible.

Now, it’s a party.

Downtown Saratoga

Taking the waters

Where to dine?

I was introduced to Norma by my dear friend M. We went for a girl group luncheon with S one day. Since then, my friend I, who also lives in its environs, enjoyed a meal there as well.

Last night, after Carol drove me to see her friend Ron on the jazz trumpet uptown, she drove down Park Ave to show me the sculptures the local Park Ave supporters put up. Where to dine?

Norma. Caponata and carciofi, divine.

Taking a trip

Burt and I took a trip to Saratoga some 34 or 35 years ago. The train ride was paid for by a voucher from Amtrak.

The city, as I recall, was very lovely. I wanted to revisit, not simply out of nostalgia, but to explore a bit. I’d like to see more of its charms.

This week, I shall.

227 Abolitionist Place

American history has for years been bifurcated by guilt and racism or by racism or guilt. That, at least, is my theory of the moment, well not this moment in which racism takes the lead.

We read history from books that deny the existence of people of color. Of course, they, the people of color, know that history and we are grateful that they share it with us.

The Friends of Abolitionist Place put together a Matriarchs print workshop at Poster House.

We learned about 227 Duffield Place, a house at which the Underground Railroad stopped, landmarked and saved from being swept up by eminent domain by Mama Joy Chatel.