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In the 1960s, Mom stuck to store bought bread. There were three brands that rotated through our Manhattan apartment. “Wonder Bread, again.” Dad threw his hands up. “Will you shut up!” Mom never turned from the stove. “You never bring food home I enjoy.” “You’re a liar. We eat friggin spaghetti six nights a week…. Read more »

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Last Saturday night I went to a get together at my friend’s apartment in Astoria.  The event was a clothing swap, a popular phenomenon of late.  You prepare for a clothing swap by going through your closet and removing all of the items you know you’ll never wear again.  You put your pile of discards… Read more »

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In the era of man vs. machine: There is an imperative need to get back to the basics of using our minds and hands to create In today’s world we are accustomed to the technological advances of common household items such as our televisions, radios, ovens and the likes.  There have been enormous improvements in… Read more »

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On September 11th, 2001, I was seventeen years and four days old. Being six feet tall, a popular class presidential candidate, twirling the keys to my birthday gift in the juniors’ parking lot on my left index finger, I strode, as usual, through the hallways, though with an especially remarkable jaunt, on to my second… Read more »

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It’s my pleasure to join the Ask A New Yorker team. I’m a lifelong city boy and write about what I’ve seen, heard and done in my story blog, “Yorkville: Stoops to Nuts.”  I have favorite blocks, buildings, trees, water fountains. I also have a favorite recurring live music event. Loser’s Lounge is a bi-monthly… Read more »

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As the planet turned to make morning come to the Eastern Standard time zone today, I stood with my back to the rising sun and face over Hudson River. The Westside Highway and Cabrini Boulevard sandwiched the sidewalk and ledge from where I looked out. Mild gusts turned to flirtatious breezes advancing up my pale,… Read more »

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Faithful readers may recall that last week I was traveling through the Scottish Highlands with my husband and his friend (Almost Elaine?, 9.1.11). When I got home, I looked up the Highlands on Wikipedia, and according to that highly reliable source, the area is “one of the most sparsely populated in Europe.  The average population… Read more »