HOME!

A delay at JFK (what else is new?) and finally home to our much loved home on S. 4th.  Preparing for a shoot the next three week-ends of an indie film SACRIFICE and major landscaping and drainage work starting tomorrow at 7a.m.  Happy to be home and re-connected to Austin through film and work on this lovely home of ours.  Left much loved friends back in Brooklyn and returned to our new acquaintances and the continual building of community here.  Night y'all.

It's a Pedestrian City/ Live From New York

Spent the morning at Naidre's on 7th Ave and watched everyone walk by, on their way to work, the subway, bringing kids to the camp bus.  No one looks at each other, everyone looks focused and caught up in their own worlds.  That's the difference.  No one has time to acknowledge the other people in their eyesight or path.  You wouldn't get anything done or where you have to be.  Walked Prospect Park with Abe, ate bagels at Bagel World and once again on the F train to Regal Heights for a visit with Abe's Mom.  She wants my shoes, loves my dress and is surprised to learn they come from Texas.  She asks us if we're married and we remind her Wednesday it will be 30 years!  Her caretaker Lucie is with us and she hugs me tightly and thanks me for all I've done...is she kidding?  We thank her regularly for all SHE does!  Dinner with Stuart and Lenny at GIOVANNI'S where we celebrate 30 years of marriage and a friendship of 46 years.  My friend Lenny tells me I've calmed down and used to be a 17y.o. firebrand.  I like that.  Talk to Reed and Liz and learn the rain did not come inside the house and all is well.  Leavin' on a jet plane tomorrow night, I'm ready.

LIVE FROM NEW YORK/ A Premie Grows Up

It's hot, the subways are hot and steamy, it's storming and life goes on NYC style.  Checked out Bloomingdales (did I ever pay that much for clothing?), walked a mile to CANDLE 79 at 79th and Lexington where I met Lenny (my oldest friend from college) for vegan lunch, walked some more with her  to Starbuck's, talked our heads off, walked to the Jewish Museum for the Vuillard exhibit (eh), walked to the West Side through Central Park to meet Abe and his sister at NONA'S for dinner.  Walked about 5 miles through city streets filled with stores, more stores and people of all persuasions.  The Upper East Side was dead as a door nail, those folks hit the Hamptons.  Yesterday I ran into a former client walking  in Prospect Park.  A 4 y.o. who weighed 1 lb 11 ozs at birth and needed human growth hormone added to her mother's milk at $2K a month upon duscharge.  Mama remembered me, remembered I got insurance and medicaid to pay so this baby could go home.  And there she was, a tall 4y.o. perfectly developed, wearing eye glasses and so happy when her mama told her who I was.  She thanked me when we said good-bye  for "getting her milk."  Could anything beat that?  NAH!

Live From New York/INTOUCHABLES

First a visit to Abe's Mom, a 95 year old holocaust survivor at Regal Heights where  she resides in  Jackson Heights.  Our unannounced visit to this woman with sparkling white hair who was SO DELIGHTED to see us is a feel good moment for all involved.  Donuts for the staff, flowers for Ruth,  a wheel outdoors, and everyone benefits.  Then a ride to the Village for lunch at GRUB with Pam and off to the ANGELIKA where we saw a superb French film based on a true story.  INTOUCHABLES is a film about an extremely wealthy quadraplegic and his Senegalese caretaker, two lives and cultures intersecting to benefit all involved.  Omar Sy is a charismatic, sexy, vibrant actor who brings so much compassion to his role as a true caretaker to a rich paralyzed man in need of a life infusion.  This film is so real and unaffected.  I so hope it comes to Austin.  The Violet Crown would be a perfect venue.

Back in Brooklyn

Back to Park Slope where we ate outdoors in the backyard garden of Pam and Ira's lovely old brownstone (Steve Buscemi's block) and then Abe  and I walked the old hood.  Went back to the Ansonia Warehouse on 12th Street where we had lived in a loft for 25 years.  A new dweller let us in and there we were on our roof with the most magnificent view of the NYC harbor and skyline.  Met up with good old neighbors Kristen and Bill and just shmoozed for an hour being up-dated on all the changes.  Then we walked to our favorite Bar/Grill JOHNNY MACK'S on 12th Street where we'll meet up with our guy Josh and his girlfriend on Saturday (it's been 8 months).  A visit to family friend Judy Cosme whose late  mother Maria  was Josh and Liz's After School teacher at P.S.107.  Oh yes, back to Brooklyn.  So far from Austin.  Both places have made their mark.

Leavin' On a Jet Plane But First The Paramount

My bags are packed, we're ready to go.  Back to the old hood for visits with friends, Abe's Mama and sister.  But tonight it's a stop at the Paramount for BEST IN SHOW and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN.  Much needed respite from drainage/flood/ landscaping  issues  when we return.  Don't tell Abe, I just love this home owner stuff!  Looking forward to the challenge.

Rick Perry and Healthcare

I have had the misfortune of hearing this man repeatedly on KUT today.  Apparently he gave an interview this a.m. on FOX news where he stated Medicaid is a failed program.  I have stamped my feet, shook my fist, pulled at my hair in response to his stupidity.  Should Texas refuse to accept the Healthcare Law found constitutional by our conservative Supreme Court  this is what will happen:  every uninsured visit to the Emergency Department which happens at enormous rates and costs taxpayers in Texas billions, yes, billions of dollars will be paid by Texans in property taxes.  All preventive medicine which lowers costs of overall healthcare for EVERYONE will not be provided because people don't pay for prevention, they request healthcare when they're sick or have had an accident.  I was a medical social worker for 33 years in NYC and saw first hand the amount of services cut because of uninsured and unpaid emergency room visits.  I just LOVE my new hometown.  I am so sorry Rick Perry comes along with the deal.