This Too Shall Pass

Saturday, December 6, 2025

I had a choice of when to present this wretched information, end last week or start this week. Believing in procrastination, I waited to cite a survey of the Republican Party by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank.

It found, among other things that Republicans prefer “a bold, attention-grabbing leader who often makes headlines and isn’t afraid of conflict or drama”; believe that American society is “too feminine”; believe that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was fraudulent; one in three believes that childhood vaccines cause autism; four in ten believe that the 9/11 attacks were likely orchestrated or permitted by U.S. government actors.

https://manhattan.institute/article/the-new-gop-survey-analysis-of-americans-overall-todays-republican-coalition-and-the-minorities-of-maga

Look to the person on your left and then look to the person on your right, then lock your doors and windows.

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The Philippines, like so many other countries today, is facing a major government corruption scandal. Antagonism towards their president may be somewhat muted, because he is known by his childhood name, Bongbong.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/world/asia/bongbong-imee-marcos-feud.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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Frank Gehry, the architect, died yesterday. We went to Bilbao, Spain in 1998 to see the newly-opened Guggenheim Museum, one of his masterworks. By chance, we walked there directly from our hotel on Calle de Iparraguirre, which afforded us the unforgettable sight of the museum seeming to sail towards us as we approached. 

The entire visit was memorable with one exciting spectacle after another. Jeff Koons’s giant floral puppy stands in front of the museum. Richard Serra’s massive curved sculptures are on permanent display. (See my art lesson March 28, 2024.) And, the Chinese government mounted an exhibit of Xi’an warriors for the first time. Wow! Wow! Wow!

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We were joined by David and Julie for a very lovely dinner at aRoqa, 206 Ninth Avenue, consistently our favorite Indian restaurant. The front of the narrow deep premises holds a bar with a formidable display of bottles. The decor overall is non-ethnic contemporary.

From the Small Plates section, we chose Mushroom and Kataifi Phyllo Bites, “Pastry wrapped savory medley of wild mushrooms, baked golden and served as a crunchy, shareable snack, habanero truffle aioli” ($20); Corn Paddu, “Corn kernels, lentil & rice batter crisped in cast iron mold served with coconut chutney” ($18); Potato & Peas Tikkies, “Crunchy potato & peas cakes, aromatic spices, tamarind & mint cilantro emulsion” ($16); Tandoori Chicken Tikka, “Tandoor oven grilled boneless thigh marinated in Bhimsen’s masala” ($20). They were all very good, but the Phyllo Bites were outstanding. 

 

From the Shared Plates, we chose “Mr. Preet Bharara’s Methi Chicken (Dedicated to a dear patron, Mr. Preet Bharara, Former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York), Chicken cooked with fenugreek leaves & aromatic blend of ground spices” ($26). It was an excellent dish named for a first-rate public servant. 

December 7, 2025 

Were you wondering what was the most expensive single-family home sale in Brooklyn? Alan Silverman, in exile, temporarily I hope, provides the answer. The 10,086 sq. ft. house located in the midst of the very insular Syrian Jewish community sold for $32 million just over one month ago.

https://www.pincusco.com/32m-gravesend-home-sale-sets-brooklyn-single-family-record/

It was sold by a member of Century 21 family, formerly the source of amazing clothing discounts. However, the sale seemed to be at retail price. There is no view, no waterfront. Directly across the street is a private basketball court. Go know.

Monday, December 8, 2025

It’s possible that a thief in New Zealand was getting ready for Valentine’s Day early when he walked into a jewelry store and swallowed a Fabergé egg priced at $19,400. Instead of landing in the hands of his sweetheart, it and he eventually landed in the slightly messy hands of the police.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/world/faberge-pendant-swallowed-recovered.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Today is the 25th anniversary of Bush v. Gore, 538 U.S. 98 (2000), when the United States Supreme Court halted the recount of presidential ballots in Florida, handing the victory to George W. Bush. This case changed our politics without really changing our law. In fact, the opinion specifically counsels that “[o]ur consideration is limited to the present circumstances.” In other words, ignore first message.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

I have never hidden my enthusiasm for living in the Holy Land as expensive, hectic and crowded it maybe. The rewards substantially outweigh the disadvantages. One area that particularly satisfies me is food, the variety and quality offered in restaurants and retail stores. I’m not denying that you can’t do well in San Francisco, London or Paris, but I don’t think that they could even match the wonderful hodgepodge of cuisines found on Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets. Or, the choices on a mile or two on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens would take a long ride on the Pan-American Highway to approximate.

However, I still can be disappointed as I was when reading the food section today. The article is “14 Exceptional Desserts, Coast to Coast.” https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/dining/best-desserts-america.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

 

Obviously, this covers a lot of territory, but I expected a couple of outstanding local options. In fact, I got them — Ajisai Wagashi at Yamada, “Part of a $295 prix fixe menu” and Coconut Turnover at Kabawa, “Part of a $145 prix fixe menu.” Throughout the rest of the country, only one other dessert was embedded in a high price menu. All other choices ran $6 to $18. This isn’t Zohran Mamdani’s New York, but it certainly would keep you from gaining weight.

Friday, December 12, 2025

I received my first Hanukkah gift today, an HP laptop computer. It came from one of my biggest fans -- Me. 

Viewpoints

Saturday, November 29, 2025

As part of his bold crusade to reduce the scourge of illegal drugs in the USA, President Trump is pardoning the former president of Honduras, who was convicted of partnering with cocaine traffickers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/world/americas/trump-pardon-honduras-hernandez.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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We went to see a play called Queens tonight. I knew nothing in advance about it. Was it a prequel to The Crown or an account of the troubled life of Freddie Mercury? More simply, it was about eight random immigrant women living at one time or another in a basement apartment in the borough of Queens. While they might be better off than at their place of origin, they were mostly far from well off. 

My appreciation of the play was compromised by the time frames of the scenes, moving back and forth in time with almost no delineation. Too bad, because it addressed the critical issues of immigration, inequality and affordability.

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CNBC was not thinking about Queens when it found that the world’s ultra-wealthy primarily live in New York, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

https://share.google/ZpS2SGTSdZBN0ze07

It happens that I live(d) in two of those three places, but nothing seems to have rubbed off on me.

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Burt & Geri have a great view of New York harbor, living 30 floors up. Judy & Roger’s apartment on Central Park West sits above the treetops. Today, Jeffrey & Nancy invited us to brunch at their home on the 23rd floor, squarely facing the Hudson River. I don’t think any of us are leaving New York even if JD Vance becomes mayor.

Monday, December 1, 2025

When I saw the headline "The 50 Best Clothing Stores in America," my mind snapped back to Sir George Ltd., a men’s store on Broadway immediately south of Columbia University, where I shopped 65 years ago.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/30/style/best-clothes-stores-us.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

I went from Stuyvesant High School directly to CCNY, no gap year in St. Tropez or Staten Island. Stuyvesant was all boys at the time and would remain so for another handful of years. Fashion, style, look were not part of my mental framework. College was different. Reflecting the elevated intellectual milieu and girls, I started to look in mirrors. Up until then, a suit from Howard’s in Brownsville for my Bar Mitzvah was as far as I ventured (was led) into the fashion world.

Sir George, although a mile from the City College campus, was our launching pad for dressing up. George, a youngish Armenian man, ran the store himself under the censorious eye of his mother. It contained a nice collection of Ivy League clothes, allowing us to start to build a buffer from our Brooklyn or Bronx upbringing. Our first tweed jacket, a button-down shirt, a knit tie. We were on a path leading to Brooks Brothers, maybe even Paul Stuart, never retreating to velour leisure suits.

Thanks to an article dredged up by Burt Grossman, I learned that the store closed in May 1982, evicted by Columbia.

https://share.google/7QMk6nQxrs5p7ec1n

 

George’s personal fate is unknown. Were Sir George Ltd. still operating (under the direction of a grandchild), I would commend it as one of the best clothing stores in America.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

After making a contribution to my periodontist’s grandchildren’s trust fund, I stopped for lunch at Summer Salt, 275 Madison Avenue, a casual Mexican joint. While it is spacious, seating is limited, six two-tops and a counter with three stools, most customers carrying food back to their cubicles.

You approach a cafeteria-type line and the guy makes what you want. I asked for a Pollo Asado burrito “mission style” with Mexican rice and pinto beans as opposed to “California style” with tater tots (!) inside ($11.95). It was well stuffed with lime marinated chicken, cheddar jack, pico de gallo, sour cream and salsa. The fountain soda was a special treat, Jones Cane Sugar Soda, eight flavors. I started with the sugar-free cola, but could not resist the delicious sugar-laden root beer on refill ($3.25).

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Symbelle Beauty, 1504 Second Avenue, promotes a Russian Manicure in its window. Whatever it means today, I imagine that in Stalin’s time it might have entailed pulling out your fingernails with pliers.

Thursday, December 4,2025

I’m not sure that this makes it into the record books, but Guinness World Records says it stopped recording feats from Israel and the Palestinian Territories after October 7th. https://share.google/zcuGIAiM7AhPBhkbk

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Thursday, December 4, 2025

It seemed like a good idea, four guys would have lunch at The Corner, 698 Ninth Avenue, a Chinese restaurant that I have begun to favor in spite of it being at street level and appearing to be clean. However, at 12:20 the door was closed, but it opened soon after and we took a seat.  It was only a couple more minutes before the manager announced that food service would begin at 1 PM, because the chef was still on the subway.

We picked up and moved across the street to Mom’s Kitchen & Bar, 701 Ninth Avenue, a diner that has strayed far from the highway. I ordered the Pancake Burrito, scrambled eggs, sausage, cheddar, bacon, pancake wrap, maple syrup ($24). I thought that I was in the mood for a gloopy mess until I was served a gloopy mess. Not their fault; I can read English.

Friday, December 5, 2025

Anne Williams and I used to enjoy Puerto Rican chicken, as we called it, from a luncheonette one block from our courthouse. Since then, I have recorded eating Chinese, Tex-Mex, Japanese, Peruvian, Korean, Thai, Indian, Popeyes, Filipino, Charles Pan Fried, and a variety of other chicken preparations. Today, I had Guatemalan fried chicken at Pollo Campero, 714 Lexington Avenue, a busy fast food joint. Two smallish pieces, a leg and a thigh, in a spicy, soft crust, shoestring fries and a roll were $10.30, served piping hot. There was an eight-choice Pepsi fountain and four individual tropical brews ($3.80).

I commanded the one small table on the ground floor to avoid scaling the steep flight to a seating area upstairs. I am pursuing a stair-free diet.

Holiday Travel

Saturday, November 22, 2025

This is a date as does September 11th that pulls me back to the past. There are other anniversaries that I am able to remember, my mind remaining more efficient than some other body parts. However, the shock of these two days has etched almost every minute into my memory. Although stunned, what I did, what I felt is still vivid.

There is a special poignancy today, the 62nd anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, in reading the essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, Caroline Kennedy’s daughter, his granddaughter about her terminal cancer diagnosis. 

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/a-battle-with-my-blood

I find this young woman’s situation especially touching, even among the tragedies in her rambling family. There is no gun, there is no airplane cutting off her life. Her own body is her enemy as it might be inexplicably for any of us. 

Sunday, November 23, 2025 

There is increasing talk about a real estate bubble, dramatic increases in appreciation that may prove unsustainable. UBS, a major Swiss financial firm, analyzed residential property prices in 21 major cities around the world. Miami showed the highest bubble risk among the cities in this study, followed by Tokyo and Zurich, while generally global home prices remained virtually unchanged in inflation-adjusted terms.

https://www.ubs.com/global/en/media/display-page-ndp/en-20250923-grebi25.html

High real estate prices, whether sustainable or not, have either driven people out of the market or kept them from entering, thus our domestic affordability crisis. Ezra Klein, an astute journalist, made the following observation: “the hard problem at the heart of housing politics: It’s the people who already have homes who have a voice in local politics and planning. They often like their neighborhood the way it is. They don’t want more traffic or new neighbors or the hassle of nearby construction. What’s in it for them?” https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/opinion/housing-crisis-america.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

On the other hand, there seems to be a conscious effort to welcome strangers in some locations, at least as visitors if not neighbors. According to Time Out magazine, these cities are the most welcoming according to their inhabitants:

1. Porto, Portugal
2. Bilbao, Spain
3. Medellin, Colombia
4. Cape Town, South Africa
5. Lagos, Nigeria

https://www.timeout.com/news/these-are-the-worlds-20-friendliest-cities-according-to-locals-102725#

Might I suggest that local pickpockets were among the most eager participants in the survey?

Monday, November 24, 2025

Of course, I had to eat lunch. As I was returning to the West Side from the Least Side, I stopped at Sandwell, 412 Amsterdam Avenue, the second of two local stores. It claims to offer “hearty & healthyish toasted sandwiches,” mostly for takeout. I sat at one of the four two-tops; there is also a ledge with six stools facing the window and two two-tops outside on the sidewalk.

My turkey meatball sub, “turkey meatballs in classic sunday (sic) marinara sauce, provolone, parmesan, basil oil, arugula,” on a toasted 7” sandwich roll, was hearty and maybe healthyish ($14). All of their beverages, teas, juices and sparkling water, were $4 or more. A majority of their sandwiches are built on chicken and they offer a handful of salads as well.

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

I had lunch nearby today at the Gyro Project, 2062 Broadway. It's a bright, airy place that brings a sidewalk gyro cart indoors. I had a big salad with chicken shaved off a big vertical spit, olives, pickles, pita wedges, Greek slaw topped with tahini dressing ($16.95). It outlasted me. Their choices of cold soda included Coke Zero. 

 

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

If Mother Ruth Gotthelf were alive today, she would be 116-years old and she would remind you of it. 

 

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Whether it’s a byproduct of being an alte kocker or an insightful comment on contemporary manners and mores, I admit that I am often disappointed in the younger generations. However, bright spots do pop up. For instance, teenage Ari, one of Stony Brook Steve’s grandsons, just laid out an interesting excursion, visiting every Holy Land subway line in the most efficient way. His goal was to meet up with each of the system’s 28 lines, not necessarily to ride them.

There is another recognized subway challenge to hit all 472 stations in the least time, a record now held by a Swiss woman in 22 hours, 14 minutes and 10 seconds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subway_Challenge

Ari’s plan:

 

LINE	FROM	TO
3	72nd St	34th St - Penn Station
A	34th St – Penn Station	42nd St – Port Authority
E	42nd St – Port Authority	5th Ave/53rd St
M	5th Ave/53rd St	34th St – Herald Square
N	34th St – Herald Square	Canal St
Q	Canal St	14th St
R	14th St	42nd St – Times Square
7	42nd St – Times Square	Queens Plaza
7 Exp	Queens Plaza	42nd St - Grand Central
4	42nd St - Grand Central	86th St
5	86th St	Lexington Ave/59th St
6	Lexington Ave/59th St	42nd St – Grand Central
S	42nd St – Grand Central	42nd St – Times Square
D	42nd St – Bryant Park	Herald Square – 34th St
B	Herald Square – 42nd St	Broadway/Lafayette St
F	Broadway/Lafayette St	Delancey St/Essex St
Z	Delancey St/Essex St	Chauncey St
J	Chauncey St	Broadway Junction
L	Broadway Junction	Metropolitan Ave/Lorimer St
G	Metropolitan Ave/Lorimer St	Hoyt/Schermerhorn St
C	Hoyt/Schermerhorn St	Franklin Ave
S	Franklin Ave	Botanic Garden
2	Botanic Garden	Chambers St
1	Chambers St	South Ferry
Bonus	Staten Island Ferry back and forth
W	Whitehall St	Times Square – 42nd St
2	Times Square – 42nd St	72nd St

 

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America's Favorite Epidemiologist started preparing her Thanksgiving meal weeks ago, making sure that the ample spread was just right. She fed us Aunt Judi's Meatballs (actually just a naming convention, although Aunt Judi was present her role was solely as a guest), couscous, potato leek soup, green salad with apples and cranberries, turkey, stuffing, sweet potato soufflé with honeyed pecans, mushroom spinach strudel, chocolate cream pie, chocolate chip mandelbrot, lemon sorbet and mango sorbet, and a donated chocolate chip pie, which I won't even get to until tomorrow. The guests were all family and they deserve the best.