The Human Story

It used to be a much simpler human history in my school days. Now, they tell me that evolution wasn’t as linear as we were taught.

Humans and Neanderthals and other hominids all roamed the earth at the same time.

Our earliest direct relatives emerged from Africa some 50 thousand years ago.

Others of the 15 to 20 types of early humans continued to co-exist with them.

So I am thinking, it’s kind of akin to cats. Look at how diverse they are. Look at how many different species live in jungles and mountains and homes across the world.

Juggling acts

How do you balance work and home life?

Since I never had children at home and married late in life, the balancing act was never a big concern.

Single people can work longer hours with no effect on their home life.

That’s the theory.

When you do not have family or a partner at home, you feel carefree. The truth may just be a little different from the perception.

It’s a documented fact [and we women love to cite it] that married men live longer. There could be undocumented evidence that marriage benefits women as well.

In part, we could say it’s because men are cared for; that’s just one side of the picture. They also have to care for their family or partner.

If being unattached means you are carefree, it can also mean you are free to be careless.

Married people, both men and women, have cares. They need to be careful in the best possible way.

Being without a care in the world is overrated. Caring with the worries it brings is a better place for all of us.

There may be more to balance between our homes and our offices, but we are fortunate to have all those balls in the air.

Fruit in season

List your top 5 favorite fruits.

I reason that fruit when
In season is better than
Steak from the grill. Fire
It up and let the summer 
Tastes thrill. Fruit and its
Cousin the squash, tomato 
Or even a potato can heat
Up a summer's day. Put a
Peach on the coals or add
A zucchini to roast and save
Some apricots, plums for
Dessert. Sit them beside a
Melon or pear and eat that
Tart apple while you walk.

A good job of work

What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

Our neighbor, George Plimpton, famously did some very odd jobs just once.

He was a Detroit Lion for a game in 1963 and the goalie for the Boston Bruins. He pitched during batting practice in the 1960 All-Star Game and sparred with Archie Moore in 1959.

I always admired not just his skills as a raconteur but also the fire in his soul. I never envied his choices of “work,” although it was all done in the spirit of journalism.

In a more direct answer to your question: Most any job would be tolerable for a day. Is there any one job I would particularly want to have for just one day?

Pilot on the air shuttle to Nantucket comes to mind. Just once and preferably in calm skies.

Best Stuff

What are your favorite brands and why?

Brands are meant to be a bit clubby. The seller has invited us to be part of, for example, the Rolex family or the Ralph Lauren gang. We’ve bought in.

My favorite brands are nothing so heady as these or Tiffany’s or Baccarat.

I used to get a kick out of the Levi’s brand [maiden name], and there’s nothing like a personal connection to make a brand feel special. Full disclosure I generally wore the Wrangler blue jeans brand back in the day. Now, I am consigned to NYDJ.

I prefer Kelloggs cereals and would not trade their Raisin Bran for any other. Noosa makes a better yogurt than Dannon or Chobani. Naked Juice sells a pre-made smoothie as good as the specially blended ones I used to enjoy.

For cleaning supplies, I favor Method and Swiffer is tops.