RIP

Though not often the topic of my blog, I've made sincere mention of my great luck in this life in having many good friends. I got some sad news today from The Wig, one of my oldest and dearest. His mom passed away yesterday at the age of 92.

I first met her 35 years ago at the restaurant in Queens where she had worked for many years. She treated me like one of her own from the beginning. Over the years she took a keen interest in my family and I kept her apprised of their activities via our Christmas letter and during some of our East Coast visits with The Wigs.

She was a much needed familiar face during some of the darkest days of my life. She visited my hospital room in NYC as I began recovery from my 1999 spinal cord surgery. She also provided my wife great comfort during that time.

Except for the last few years of her life, she was fiercely independent. Although she sometimes displayed a veneer of toughness like many a New York City native, there was a well of kindness right beneath it. She did not have the opportunity for a college education that these days most of us take for granted. But she was smart. She knew the value of hard work and thrift. And she made damn sure that none of her kids missed opportunities, educational or otherwise. She's left a legacy of four successful and well-adjusted children, who took great care of her in her last days.

Tonight I'll lift a glass to her. May she rest in peace.

Celebrity Edition

According to US magazine, Jennifer Aniston went without makeup on the set of her new movie and found it "liberating". Really Jen? How the hell does that liberate you? What trite bullshit.

I see a lot of "opening up" but I'd rather they keep it shut. Leighton Meester, 28, is sharing her thoughts on getting older. Give me a shout in 30 years Leighton.

Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen just had a baby girl. They named her Briar Rose. Their next kid will be named Thorn. By the way, remind me who the hell these people are again.

After I saw the US article reporting that celebs are rocking pixie cuts, I decided to move over to the People web page to get a more intellectual viewpoint. There I found that Wendy Williams reveals what she doesn't like about Taylor Swift. I say we give Taylor equal time.

I tried making sense of this article but the image of Martha Stewart hopping on a hog had me flummoxed.

http://www.people.com/article/blake-lively-martha-stewart-ryan-reynolds-friendship-motorcycle

I caught this about Ariana Grande.

"The star reveals that she’s unapologetic when it comes to expressing her style sense. “Polka dots and hair bows — I can’t,” she tells the magazine. “Give me a skinny jean, a YSL top, and a cat ear, and we’re good.”

That sounds like something I'd say at 21.

Another 21 year old, Miley Cyrus, shared some pictures of her giving her pet pig a pedicure, which upset some fans. I agree that she ought to leave the pig alone, but I'm more upset that she won't wear enough clothes and keep her tongue in her mouth.

Moving to the music world, Arctic Monkeys have stopped spilling drinks on their settee long enough to ask the eternal question "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?"

In more important news, Time reported that Keira Knightley posed topless to protest photoshopping. I vigorously support her cause.

All Saints Day

I thought I'd dash off a quick post before heading to church for the rest of the day.

We had a light turn out for Halloween last night, only 30 to 40 kids total. A squirrelly little fellow of about four decided to stick his paw into my candy bucket and pull out as much as he could hold. That was the highlight of the night. Another youngster was entranced, but not scared, by our animatronic Grim Reaper.

The Wig was in town this week, visiting son #2, a recent Bay Area transplant. The boys came by Wednesday night and we headed to Pizzeria Delfina in Burlingame, where we caught the final innings of the Giants victory. The chow was stellar. The chef is a bud of Wig The Younger, so we got a few extras thrown in. Hanging with the Wigs is always a worthwhile adventure. By this time The Elder is back on the other coast, probably cocooning on what looks to be a cool fall day.

We have village friends coming over for dinner tonight so wifey and I will have all hands on deck for what will likely be another fantastic meal on Gull Ave. The menu is grilled pork loin, homemade rice pilaf, apple compote and roasted broccoli. To those village friends that were not invited, there's two ways to look at it. Either "your turn will come" or "tough shit".

I came across this news flash from the political landscape and was quite taken aback.

http://tinyurl.com/o6yzoqn

Alison Sweeney is leaving Days of Our Lives. I'm bereft.