Reuben (R.I.P.)

I found myself online long past midnight when an email appeared in my inbox from one of my brothers. He sent a link from my hometown paper of an obituary for Reuben Silver, a longtime friend of my parents who died yesterday. Reuben was a lifelong consummate theatre professional whose enormous talent for the dramatic arts was surpassed only by the love for his wife Dorothy and their three sons. Growing up, the Silver's lived down the street from us- mere houses away- and they were fixtures of my childhood.  My parents took us to countless plays in which Reuben and Dorothy either acted or were the director and their artistry made a huge impression on me. His voice carried a unique authority and he radiated an intensity when he appeared onstage. During my teen years, I sometimes babysat their three boys, and alone in their house, surrounded by the many books, scripts and artifacts of their busy lives I was transfixed. I remember how impressed I was that their house was often less than neat and yet they seemed happy and engaged. My mother once told me of her admiration for Dorothy who could ignore her domestic chaos and focus on her art, something my mother was unable to do, but I digress.

As a younger man, Reuben was a creature of huge appetites. My mother used to tell me to "Hide the corned beef!" when they came over as Reuben ate with a relish and gusto I rarely saw my parents display. Always when he greeted me, his eyes twinkled with a delight that warmed me to my core and made me smile.

The world is a lesser place without him in it and my heart goes out to his family as I know how much they loved and will miss him.  And I, whose life has taken me 500 miles to the east, mourn him profoundly. He was a very special individual whose time here improved us all- he was truly a rare man among men.

Don't Remind Me

I know you have to de-emphasize the fun factor. The caring factor. The "let's chip in and get it all done as a team" factor. No, I'd be disingenuous if I didn't acknowledge that I am living the dream. (Well, depending on whose dreaming.) A talented, caring able bodied husband and three healthy offspring- a respectable house with real estate taxes that we can mostly afford. I aspire to find as many occasions as possible to appreciate all that is good until I am snapped back in to the reality of kids who could live in utter chaos and like it, while constantly be reminded of how conventional I am. Oh, good times!  Once upon a time, well, a while back, they were great company. For now, I can only hope and pray that one day they will be that again. Amen.

20,000+ (bulbs in bloom!)

I periodically receive news from the Untermeyer Gardens Conservancy in Yonkers and when I learned that the 20,000+  bulbs which were planted last fall were in full bloom I had to make my way there to see this beautiful spectacle for myself. 

Each year, under the loving care of its staff and supporters, the garden continues to be transformed anew to the stunning place it once was when Samuel Untermeyer created this incredible spot along the river.  A true jewel along the Hudson!

Derby in the Hollow

In hatted finery we joined our neighbors at a local watering hole to drink mint juleps and watch the annual running of the Kentucky Derby. Inspiration was on display along with some bright colors- so nice to be outside at long last.

Lunching and observing

                       

The sun finally came out during a friend's literary gathering in Ridgefield, Ct. 

En route home I stopped to admire an old house with a new cladding which gave it a quirky gift-wrapped effect. 

Everywhere trees are budding in myriad shades of green. Maybe spring has finally arrived in the neighborhood......