Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Busy Tuesday

Today is Tuesday, almost six o'clock in the afternoon. I really had a busy day. This morning I went to the gym for a little workout. Well, morning is really my morning. I got there at 10 and left around 11:45. It was a "grueling" workout but I liked it. Actually, I went yesterday, too. But that was not what made the day busy for me.

Now comes the $64,000 question. When do things get old and when are they supposed to get thrown out? I really mean paper things. Bills, statements, mementos, letters, cards etc.

The way I did it at the beginning of each year I threw out previous year's statements except bank documents. But this didn't do much to my existing quantities of other papers.

Now I decided to review my situation. I am going through systematically each drawer and it is amazing the wealth of history I am finding. I have a shredder that I bought a few years ago and right now it already earned its cost (actually it was pretty cheap).

Yesterday and today I filled bag after bag with the results of the shredding. And, I have a lot more to do.

But the question is at what point one decides what to get rid of and what to keep. This is not a business so I don't have to worry about record keeping. The stuff that I am sorry to throw out is primarily sentimental. They have no value to anybody else but me. I am looking at them and remembering. I don't know if that is good or not but it certainly feels good.

I have nobody to share these with but even if I had children they couldn't care less, they wouldn't appreciate it. Actually, my wife didn't care much about the old things. I was more sentimental than She was. She always told me to throw all that junk out.

It is a funny thing. The way I see it the older we get the more we try to appreciate the older things. Maybe because we are the only one appreciating the old. Nobody else is!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

My Bathroom

I live in an apartment house on the third floor. Above me is the fourth floor which is obvious, right? About six months ago the toilet in the bathroom above mine had some problem and subsequently it flooded mine. The ceiling was all wet through, there was water on the floor everywhere. Thankfully, it was just clean water and not any other stuff if you know what I mean.

The good thing is that since this is a cooperative building and the tenant above me is a shareholder she is responsible for the repairs. I am a renter which means I don't have to pay for anything. Being poor has its advantages!

The building superintendent came up a few days after the big flood, knocked down part of the ceiling and repaired it, meaning re-plastered it. Now, it looks like shit because the bathroom walls are a kind of light yellow and the plaster is white. But I really don't go into the bathroom with my eyes fixed on the ceiling, so it doesn't bother me.

The super asked us several time when we wanted the bathroom painted because he was prepared to do it. For obvious reasons we were not really prepared for that job.

Now, last week he stopped me in the hallway and asked when could he paint the bathroom. I mumbled something that sounded like soon.

The problem I'm having is that I will supply the paint because the house brand is pure crap, and I have to buy the right color. COLOR is the problem word!

There are eight million varieties of yellow and I will have to pick the right one otherwise I have to live with the consequences. You see my dilemma? That is why I am not anxious to get this job done.

Life is full of hurdles!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Saint

Right at the beginning I have to mention that whatever I say here is my opinion and mine only. If it insults anybody I am sorry, it is not intentional, please believe me. I respect everybody's opinions and believes and I am not trying to influence it in any way.

Well, here it is!

I am not a religious person by any means. I am Jewish by birth and I am not denying it but I am not a practicing Jew. Actually, I really don't need to practice, I have been Jewish long enough.

My wife was Catholic but like me She was not a practicing Catholic either. We both had our believes and life was easier this way.

Usually, when I needed something I used to pray. I prayed to whomever was listening. I prayed to win on the Lottery. You all know how that worked out, right? But I used to pray for little things and sometimes I was lucky other times not.

When my wife got sick I did some serious praying. As She got sicker the intensity of my praying increased a thousandfold. I was not fussy. I asked everybody for help, from Allah to Buddha to Tao to the Dalai Lama to God. I prayed that She would get cured, I prayed that Her condition would improve, I prayed for everything under the sun that would help Her.

If I saw a church in my walks regardless to its denomination I went in, I also used the chapel in the hospital even though I knew that God supposed to hear me regardless where I was, and what religion I belonged to.

Unfortunately, my prayers were not answered and She did not get any better.

I do realize that God is busy with everything going on in the world and my prayers were probably lost in the avalanche of current human tragedies.

Now, why am I writing all this?

I am writing it because a while back I read that Pope John Paul II cured some Costa Rican woman who claimed to have brain aneurysm. So I prayed to him. I prayed every day for his intervention, his help but to it did not come.

Why not? Why could he not help out? Was he so busy that he couldn't help out a very ill person? What was he so busy with? Not that he got so much work up there that he couldn't take a second and help my poor, sick wife. Why did he help somebody from Costa Rica and not my wife, too?

I guessed he figured he already got his points for sainthood so why bother!

If I were a staunch believer this was the time when my believes would have floundered. This was the time to give up all hope for miracles to happen in this lifetime. I am very angry, very disgusted and totally disappointed.

As far as I am concerned he is not a saint, he is useless and he is just another old Pollack who just made a name for himself.

So, there it is! This is how I feel.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Computer Games

I love to play various games on my computer. I like Solitaire, I like various Mah Jong games, I play Bingo occasionally, I like Blackjack and I like crossword puzzles.

I don't play for real money, I just play for the glory. If I can beat myself I'm satisfied. The problem with all these games is that playing any one of them eats up time. Once I get involved with one game I find myself going and going to the next steps and before I realize it hours went by and nothing useful was done.

My wife always said me that I could sh.t away time like nobody else. Now that there is nobody to chide me I am realizing how true that was.

In the morning when I get up I turn my computer on. I check the financial situation, check the news and just to unwind I play some games. That's when my troubles start. Before I realize half the morning went away and nothing was done. Didn't go to the gym, didn't have breakfast, didn't make up the bed.

That is the problem with these games that they are really habit forming. Like right now when I am writing this.

It is almost ten o'clock at night. There is nothing interesting on TV, I was out all day and I am really tired. But I know that when I finish this writing I will start playing some game and will keep playing for quite a while.

So on that note good night world, I am going to unwind now.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Robert Moses

This is a short description of how I met Robert Moses at the New York World's Fair.

For those who do not know who was Robert Moses this it: he was the "master builder" of mid-20th century New York City, Long Island, Rockland County, and Westchester County, New York. This straight from Wikipedia.

Many of the facilities used today, including roads, bridges, tunnels, parks and beaches were the creations of Robert Moses. He was also the brainchild behind the 1964 New York World's Fair.

As I mentioned before I worked on the construction of one of the pavilions. Seeing various visitors was not unusual since this undertaking was not something one could see every day even in New York.

I was the engineer and my boss was the construction superintendent who was a brash, know it all very impatient person who drove a Citroen. Him and I got along very well.

I was 27 years old, seven years in this country and my English was far from perfect. So, one day when a group of suits showed up and wanted to see the project it was not surprising that he didn't want to have anything to do with them. He told me to show them around since I knew the project as well as he did.

At the time there was little more than a very big mud hole with some foundations. Well, I go out and meet the group and introduce myself. Can't tell you how surprised I was when the group of people separated and in the middle stood a little guy who was Robert Moses.

I was introduced and the tour began. Everything went fine. He was charming, asked good questions, accepted my smart answers and eventually we parted on very good terms. As nervous as I was I tried to speak as good English as possible with my limited knowledge but it seemed it worked.

After they left I went back to the office and asked my boss: did you know who was here, he said who. Robert Moses I replied. He got really pissed at himself for passing up such an opportunity and leave it to a guy like me.

Well, that's life: full of opportunities and disappointments!

Friday, April 25, 2014

World's Fair

This week, on April 22 was fifty years ago that the New York World's Fair opened in Flushing Meadows Park. That was in 1964, a lifetime ago.

There were some remembrances on that day in the Park with people who were involved or were interested in this event.

I did not go to this event for two reasons. I did not know about it and then I really don't like these gettogethers.

Even though, I could have gone since I did work on the construction of the 1964 Fair and then before the opening in 1965 the second year.

I had a great time there during the construction. I worked on the construction of one of the pavilions. It was called the Festival of Gas. Its main exhibit was showing how natural gas can be used to generate electricity. I had nothing to do with that but I was the construction engineer for the construction itself. I was involved from foundation to past opening day.

There were many days when I almost froze of my yingyang it was so cold but I made it through. End this was my first job where I was the engineer on the construction site.

It was extremely interesting to see how the entire World's Fair became a reality, hot the exhibits got built and at the end they all functioned as planned.

Towards the end we the workers were allowed to go in the various exhibits and see them without the throngs of tourists present.

If I don't forget it next time I'll tell how I met Robert Moses.

Since I was an employee I had a pass and that way I was able to visit the Fair throughout the whole time.

After they closed my company put me back into the Fair because they were to build the Florida Water Ski exhibit.

This was a steel framed container with stadium seating around it where the were holding water skiing demonstrations. I liked this job, too. It was very interesting. Didn't last as long as the first one because this exhibit had to be ready for the second year opening. But we did it.

The sad reality about the whole thing is that everything I worked on were not meant to be permanent. They had to be demolished and totally removed.

All I am left with is some mementos and my memories. Just like life itself.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Politicians

I came from a communist country where the politicians lied, cheated and stole whatever they could. And this was the expected way of life because there was nothing anybody could or dared to do.

The politicians always told the people that everything that was done was for the benefit of the people. To help the working people and families. And we believed it. Hook, line and sinker! And if things were not perfect, well that was to be expected.

Now I am here in this country where democracy rules, everybody is free and changes could be made if we don't like what we hear.

Except that nothing changed. The politicians lie and cheat and tell us that everything they do is for the benefit of the people. But the question is what people.

The democrats are swearing that what they do is good for us. The republicans are swearing that what the democrats are saying is no good because only they, the republicans know what is good for the people.

Are they talking about the same people? Because it seem this country has two classes of people. The democrats and the republicans.

Politicians go for the photo op. They will show up wherever they can get their pictures taken or talk on TV. New York's democratic senator Chuck Schumer is visible on Sunday night television. That is when he comes to New York and adopts some issue making sure that it is on the nightly news. Where is he during the week?

After the storm Sandy all the politicians were there hugging people and crying with the people and promising they would do everything to get federal money to help rebuild.

I used to do business with state agencies and the people in places all wanted something for just doing their jobs.

My question is now, why are we any different here than the political system we are or were condemning for years saying that was evil?

It is well known that that didn't work out as promised. People are still living in hotels or with friends two years after the storm. Where are these huggers and criers now?

Another thing is that this government makes such a big deal out of other countries being corrupt. They should look at their own backyard first. It is a well known fact that Washington is as corrupt as any other country in this world. Maybe not blatantly corrupt but every politician in Washington and all municipal localities has his own price.

Maybe not at the highest levels but further down the food chain the people are buyable!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Holidays

This is a strange country we live in, but I think I remarked it a few times already. There is a constitution that determines most of the official holidays amongst other things.

When one looks carefully one can see that there is no religious holiday at all. That is not because the founding fathers were atheists. It is because they wanted to separate chuch and state, at least that is the explanation we are given.

Hard to believe because in those days being an atheist was not very fashionable. On the other hand, the founding fathers were very likely pretty relogious. So God fearing that keeping slaves was really in accordance with the Bible. So they believed.

Now back to the holidays. If one looks at all the days that are officially observed Christmas is the only one that comes close to being a religious observance. I don't think they call it the celebration for the birth of Jesus they just call it Christmas. No more, no less. In the Soviet times it was called Father Winter.

The funny situation about this whole thing is that the New York Stock Exchange observes Good Friday. So do a many other countries. Most of those same countries also observe Easter Monday as a general holiday. Australia observes Good Friday and Easter Monday thus having a nice four-day weekend. And, nobody is complaining.

The same applies to the second day of Christmas. Many of the Christian world celebrates Christmas Day and the day after. But not here. We are not permitted to do that because that is a religious holiday and that is a no, no!

I can see that point now. In this country there are so many different nationalities and even more religions that to observe each one would leave no time for work. But back in the days of the founding fathers that was not the case. And, I don't think they had the foresight when the Constitution was written.

If every holiday for every religion would officially be observed we would run out of days before the year is up. With that reasoning I can see that nothing is being observed and that way nobody can complain that they are being left out.

But it is still peculiar that while the entire world celebrates we are sitting on our behind like nothing is going on.

Here is a separate thought that has nothing to do with what I wrote. Today I was driving home when I saw something that made me think.

I saw a mother leading her son home from school. There was nothing unusual about this. It was a little boy that needed the mother to look after him. The thing was that the mother was dressed from head to toe in niqab. That is a black garment that covers the entire person while leaving a slit for the eyes only.

What it made me think was how did the little boy knew she was his mother?

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Curious Foods

They say, or just I say, that good things come in threes. On that account here is the third installment on curious foods.

Actually, the truth is that I am not a young man so I really am limited on my choices of what to write about. Can not write about women, can not write about exciting adventures. One of the few things remaining is food.

This time I will describe curious foods that I eat, like to eat or ate.

In St. Maarten we went to a casino some years ago and there was a restaurant offering buffet dinner. One item caught my eye and I asked what that was: goat stew was the answer. Since it was in the buffet I didn't have to order a whole portion I figured I try it. You know what? I liked it! Later I had it as a main course in a restaurant on the same island and still liked it.

In Curacao there is a large ostrich farm where they raise ostrich for food. Their meat is pretty popular on that island and is served in several restaurants. I had it on several occasions and it was extremely good. The meat was dark, soft and to me it tasted like pork. If one doesn't know what it is that he is eating there is no problem at all. I had it here in New York a few times and it wasn't nearly as good as on Curacao.

I love escargot or snails. If prepared well it is a fantastic appetizer. Due to the French influence it is very popular on St. Maarten. Most of the places serve it out of the shell in a circular dish with five or six holes, each filled with garlic butter with the escargot in there. This is a two part joy. First we eat the snails then we dunk bread into the garlic butter. I really can't tell which is better. My wife wouldn't touch the escargot but loved the dunking part.

There is a restaurant on St. Maarten by the name Escargot. They specialize in all kinds and varieties of escargot dishes. We had been there before but unfortunately lately they are closed in late Summer.

There is another good French delicacy available in a few places on St. Maarten and that is frogs legs. As disgusting it sounds that is how good it is. It is usually served in garlic sauce and the meat is delicious. Yes there is meat on the legs. They come in twos and they usually serve three or four pairs, or more. I usually have it as an appetizer and not as a main course.

Good, fat edible frogs used to come from Hungary, now as I read the largest exporter is Indonesia. I don't care I still like it.

I ate rabbit once and I didn't really like it. Now I wouldn't eat it for anything. When I was in the Italian neighborhood a few weeks ago I saw some in a butcher's window. Honestly, they looked disgusting.

On the other hand I did have venison a little while ago and that was good. I am not an expert on venison, I don't know what is the best way to prepare it but whatever way they did it was good.

My favorite game meat is the European wild boar. There is a game restaurant in Budapest that we visited at every trip and they have wild boar. Whatever way they prepared it was very good. Not tough, good taste very edible.

I think I gained five pounds just writing about these things. In the future I will try to write about low calorie foods that way I can even out the game.

Now that I wrote about all these delicacies I have to look around the house and find something good to eat.




Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a joyous event. It is a celebration for the christian world of the resurrection of Christ. For the rest is a nice day to be spent with family and friends. And, if the weather is nice it makes the day even more pleasant.

I really didn't want to be alone on this day. It is bad enough on other days but not on Easter Sunday. I don't go to Fifth Avenue to see those people dressed up just so they can get front of a TV camera or have their pictures taken. Maybe in the 1920s it was elegant and fashionable to see and be seen but now nobody really cares.

My friends and I decided to go out and have a nice Easter Sunday brunch. First of all it beats cooking second it is more pleasant than being locked in all day.

I happen to know a few places in Long Island where they offer nice Easter brunches. We picked one that was not too cheap and not too expensive and we were not disappointed. It was nice, good food, large variety, good desserts.

We spent about two hours there then we left. The weather was also cooperating so at the end all turned out perfect.

Right now as I am writing this I am so full that I can not even think of food. I think I am done for today as far as eating goes.

But then tomorrow is another day!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Weird Hungarian Food

Like I mentioned the last time we Hungarians do eat a few weird foods. Well, at least that I know of. I am sure other nationalities have their own weird food menus but those I am not concerned with now.

The reason for the weird foods are probably economical. In my childhood when my mother went to the market she bought live chickens that were killed in our kitchen. Since the whole chicken was there most of it had to be eaten since it was paid for. So, after cleaning it, it was cut up and prepared different ways.

I remember when my mother made chicken soup from most of the chicken she had the head and legs for herself. I always thought it was because she liked them. Later she told me when she visited here in the US that the reason was because she gave the good parts to my father and me.

Speaking of the chicken, eggs were a luxury in some post war years so it was frequently that we found developing eggs inside the hen. They tasted very good in the soup but if they had hard shells it was real win.

Another thing I really liked was the gizzard from the chicken. Cooked thoroughly in the soup they tasted good.

Few years ago my wife and I visited Hungary and while in Budapest we visited a market in Central Budapest. This market was mostly a tourist attraction which meant they had a lot of food and interesting food.

We stopped at a butcher stand and while looking we inquired at the butcher about some of the items in the display case. One was explained to be calf face. It looked disgusting but we were told people did buy it.

In a glass bowl we did see some white round shaped things that we asked about. We were told they were rooster testicles. Yuk!

After asking later some other acquaintances it seemed they were fairly well known even if we never ever heard about them. They are to be eaten fried. I don't think I'll ever eat them knowingly. I guess until one knows what one is eating it is o.k. But when one finds out what that thing is when that thing becomes inedible.

I also like calf (I think) brains. Mixed with eggs it is really good. Years ago there was a Hungarian restaurant where they served it as an appetizer. Now, I don't know any place that have it.

My mother used to make a dish called sour lung. It was from pig lung and I loved it. I have no clue how to make it but I do not even think one can get that stuff here in New York.

As I noted yesterday, I had marrow at dinner. It is very good. It is from the leg bone of the cow and it has to be cooked well and then it is very tasty. There is a trendy restaurant in Budapest where they serve it as an appetizer with toast (not cheap). Once we were there and we ordered it and my cousin and I really put away a huge portion. My wife wouldn't have touched it for anything.

This thing is available in supermarkets here in the US.

So these are the weird Hungarian foods I know of and I like. This might explain why we are the way we are but if the food is good, who cares.





Saturday, April 19, 2014

Food

Today my main subject is food. Actually my only subject is food and, primarily good Hungarian food.

As I mentioned it a few times at prior occasions I do love Hungarian food.

So anybody who cooks Hungarian food for me I am eternally grateful to.

My friend who I am eating with fairly frequently fortunately cooks good Hungarian stuff. Tonight I have beef marrow for appetizer and chicken paprikash for main course. Oh, and before matzo ball soup.

That last one I made. A twist of the wrist and pour it from the jar in the pot, warm it up and the "home made" matzo ball soup is ready. But the stuff is good.

The chicken paprikash was in my freezer from the other night. I warmed it up and, honestly the second day it is better than the first time.

Other stuff in my freezer are a large container of gooood Hungarian goulash soup, fantastic bean soup and a Hungarian dish called paprikash kroumpli with kielbasa.

I like each one so much it is very difficult for me to decide in the morning which one I want for dinner. I have to decide in the morning because I have to take it out of the freezer and let it thaw out. In addition to these I also have good American food there, too.

I have frozen cooked shrimp, fish sticks and steaks. Good old American staple. Unfortunately they are in the also ran category behind the Hungarian food.

Next time I'll write about the weird foods Hungarians eat. Not me necessarily but other Hungarians.

The problem with eating all these good foods that they are fattening. I really have to watch myself because putting it on is easy getting it off is the hard part. That's why I keep going to the gym. It doesn't do much to my waistline but it eases my conscience. And that's what counts

It is interesting that some foods taste better on their second day than on the first. Like stuffed cabbage, the Jewish cholent (solet), bean soup, Hungarian goulash and many more. This way I am getting the better part of the deal because I eat it on the second day. But for me Hungarian food tastes good on the first, second or even on the third day.

I have to tell you about a little delicacy called bone marrow. It is calf or cow leg bone cut to 1" slices and cooked well in beef stock. At least that's how I think it is done.

Then one takes the soft marrow out, place it on bite size pieces of toast add salt and eat it. It is fantastic, but it is an acquired taste. So what? I don't like whiskey. That is also an acquired taste.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Ukraine vs. Hungary

On October 23, 1956 there was a revolution in Hungary where the Hungarians rose up against the mighty Soviet Union. The battles lasted about three days and at the end the Soviets left Hungary.

Unfortunately, on November 4, 1956 the Soviets returned with guns blazing to reclaim what they thought was theirs. This was the beginning of a very bloody resistance fight by the Hungarian freedom fighters. The entire world knows the outcome of this fight.

Soviets 1, Hungary 0

The Red Army overran the poorly equipped but enthusiastic Hungarians. Enthusiasm will not win wars, guns will!

Now why am I writing about this ancient history? Because history is about to repeat itself.

During the bloody fights in Budapest, Radio Free Europe kept blaring messages that keep fighting we (Americans) are coming and this way giving false hope to the participants of the uprising about incoming Western military help.

You know what came? Close your eyes and tell me what you see. Exactly, that what came!

No help of any kind arrived. The Sixth Fleet did not cruise up the Danube River to help the fighting. There was absolutely nothing from anybody.

I stand corrected. There was a lot of talk. In the United Nations everybody condemned the Soviets and announced for the record that they were against this blatant terrorism. Do you know how much the Soviets cared about all that talk? About as much as they care about the talks now on behalf of Ukraine.

Yesterday, lacking anything else to do I watched a live telecast from the UN Security Council where every country, from Chad to Australia condemned the Russians for what they did and asked them to withdraw and rip their clothes and show the world how sorry they were for their actions.

The Russian ambassador just sat there stone faced just like Gromyko did in 1956 wishing that the whole circus would end and he could leave and drink his daily portion of vodka.

All the saber rattling by the West will achieve nothing. The West will not go to war over the Ukraine and Russia knows that. So what's the point of all this grandstanding? These UN ambassadors have to show that they can talk and many of them can even speak English?

Later yesterday I heard on the news that the US would send 300,000 ready prepared meals to the Ukraine. Now that is a lot of help!

I am really glad to see that this government is strong and is standing by its principles. If Hungary would have received 300,000 ready prepared meals in 1956 maybe the Revolution would have turned out differently!

I forgot, we were not starving and we didn't need food and we didn't need words. We needed military help and that never came.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

First Responders

This is the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. That was a sick and very unfortunate tragedy destroying many families. Thirteen years ago was the World Trade Center disaster which was also senseless and destroyed many, many families. And, as many of you know I was there on the 91st floor when it happened.

I was lucky, I survived. Can't say that for thirteen of my co-workers who weren't as lucky as I was.

Being in that hell way back then I have my opinion about the first responders and I think I am entitled to it.

The bottom line is that I am sick and tired of constantly hearing about first responders.

I and most of my colleagues got out of the building thanks to our clear thinking and not because of any first responder was there to help us. By the time they showed up we were across the streets watching the inferno.

First responders are the firefighters, ambulance and police. These people chose these jobs because they like to live dangerously. They don't go into these field because they want to sit in an office from nine to five. They chose these fields because of the uncertainty of dangers every day brings along with the adrenalin rush.

They are not looking for death, they don't want to die. But they like the aspects of the dangers they face. That is what they are getting paid for.

So for the media and the public to ooh and aah over their actions bothers the heck out of me. We are admiring people who are doing their jobs, who are doing what they like to do, who are doing what they chose to do and doing what they are paid to do.

In real life nobody goes off to work and not expect to return home because death takes them away. 2,600 people died at the World Trade Center. Most of these people went to work in the morning, expecting to sit at their desks and do their work. But that was not the way it worked out.

They, unfortunately never returned home that day. But these people were not paid for the dangers they were to face. These people were not the first responders. These were the innocent bystanders, the real victims and heros in my opinion.

Every life is valuable and precious. It shouldn't matter if it is a firefighter, policeman or ordinary person. Each one must command the same respect and people and the media should remember that. I will not fall on my face because of the firemen or policemen who died at the World Trade Center. However, I will fall on my face for my colleagues who perished at that building because to me they are the real heros.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Horse Business

Today I went somewhere that needed a considerable amount of driving. While driving I usually like to listen to the radio, lacking anything else to do. Now, when one listens to the news for a while one can hear the same things over and over again.

Today one of these over and over again items was the stopping the horse and carriage rides around Manhattan's Central Park that has been around, I guess, forever.

Our newly and very popularly elected Mayor DiBlasio promised that he would do everything in his power to stop these horse rides. He claims the horses are ill treated and to make them do what they do is cruel and inhumane.

This thing kind of bugs me.

Our esteemed mayor has nothing to do but worry about possible cruelty to horses? He doesn't care that all the people in this business will lose their jobs and most of all the horses will become sausages, burgers, soap, glue and whatever else they can be made into? Now that is not inhumane and not cruel?

Since when work is cruel and inhumane?

Horses are work animals from the beginning of time. I grew up in Hungary and before I left the country we probably had more working horses than trucks. There were several classes of work horses.

The Post Office had the most beautiful horses. Well fed, slim and very well groomed. The mail carriages were usually rubber wheeled thus it was easier to pull. They were used to deliver mail and packages and it worked fairly well.

The beer companies had these monstrosities that looked like the Clydesdales. Huge, strong very well fed and kept horses who were pulling the heavy carts loaded with wooden barrels all over Budapest to deliver beer.

Then there were other parts of commerce and businesses that used horse drawn carts to have their merchandises delivered. These horses were more abused than the first two groups. Some of these horses were worked senselessly and cruelly.

I am not even talking about agriculture where horses really did the all the daily chores on the fields. But since they were owned by their farmers they were better cared.

So, what's the point of all this?

The point is that pulling a few tourists around a park is no cruelty for a horse. That horse is better off than many others living in countries where they really make them work. The cruelty is when that poor animal stands in the stall doing absolutely nothing. It is in the horse's genes to work. Turning him into sausages IS inhumane.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Matzo Balls and Love

Monday night was the first night of Passover. That is the night when good Jews eat a nice dinner in a very nice environment, say some prayers and I really don't know what else.

I was invited to my good friend's house where with her family we had a real nice dinner. We ate a lot, we talked a lot and oh yes, we drank a lot.

The meal was fantastic and the ambiance was good. We didn't say any prayers because nobody knew any and nobody knew what prayers are supposed to be said at this time. We got away with this behavior all these years, why change it now.

I really don't know what Passover is all about except what I saw in the movie Ten Commandments.

I for one don't feel very pious and humble. I feel we were passed over for everything good that could have happened to us.

Last year at this time we had a nice Passover dinner at home that my Catholic wife prepared for her Jewish husband with matzo balls and love.

She loved to do the traditional Jewish dinners for the major holidays. Neither of us knew what were the customary foods but whatever was prepared tasted superb.

This year I went to my friend's house and I was very grateful for the invitation. It would have been very difficult for me to be home alone tonight. Not only because of Passover but also because today is eight weeks that my wife passed away.

I guess there will be a time when I will stop counting the days but I am just not there yet.

So, for a few hours I put away my sadness and enjoyed the company I was in. I knew everybody, I was comfortable in that environment and I did have a good time.

Now I am home relaxing and waiting for the doorbell to ring!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Sunday

Today I decided to do something worthwhile. I got a birthday present way back in January that was the wrong size. Actually it was a belt that was too big for me. I decided to exchange it for the correct size.

Easier said than done. It was bought at Macy's and it was pretty expensive. That's o.k. I deserved it! The problem was that no Macy's in my area or in the entire Long Island carry that belt. I was told that it was an upscale item and it was available only in the Manhattan store, the big one.

It seems that the clientele around here don't deserve the good stuff, they are not good enough for it.

So, Sunday I drove into Manhattan to take care of it. Traffic was fairly light and I easily found parking on the street. The only hold up was that there was an Iranian New Year parade down Madison Avenue and that stopped traffic.

I was a little pissed. I come in to Manhattan one day and the Iranians have to hold their parade on the same day. That's not fair!

I watched it for a while. It was very colorful and cheerful with a lots of loud, and not unpleasant music. I don't think it was Muslim or christian or Jewish. It was Iranian with a lots of Arab writings on the floats. I came to one very serious conclusion though: Iranian women, the young ones, are very good looking.

After that I went to Macy's where I exchanged my belt with no problem. In the lower level I found a very large eating place with salad bar and hot foods so I decided to have lunch there.

I tell you, Macy's is no slouch when it come to prices. The mixed salad that I put together from the salad bar and an iced coffee came to more than $16. Anywhere else I could have gotten the same salad for half the price. Well, it was for me and I am not regretting it.

When I finished lunch I drove around a little in Manhattan then headed back home. Traffic was bearable so it wasn't unpleasant. But when I crossed the bridge back to Queens I almost kissed the ground I was so glad. I do not like Manhattan! But I think I expressed that sentiment before.

The nice thing about today was that the weather was beautiful. Sunny and warm. People came out, shed their warm clothes and just enjoyed the nice spring almost summery day.

Oh, the other nice thing about today was that the Market was not open and there was no reason to get upset. Tomorrow is another story!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Great country

This is a great country we live in!

Since I have not much else to do I watch maybe a little more TV than usual. As such I see programs I usually would not be watching.

I love to see C-Span where the politicians just love to hear themselves speak. Congressional hearings are better than David Letterman. These jokers ask questions that are much-much longer than the answers. These questions are so convoluted that at the end I for one forgot already what was the real question.

The only thing these clowns don't do is to stand on the table and scream: please reelect me! But this might not be far off in the future.

BBC, the British station has a program called Ask the prime minister. This is coming from the British parliament where once a week they have this session. I find it funny and I am sure many other Americans find it the same.

Well, our congressional hearings are not far behind these. I am sure foreigners who are watching them will find them amusing to say the least.

Now, speaking about democracy.

There is a television station broadcasting at least on my cable that is maintained by the Russian government. It is called RT, short for Russian Today.

This station is broadcasting primarily Russian oriented programs, exclusively (I think) in English. It is aimed at the American audience.

There is no need to say that everything is tilted such a way as to show what nice people the Russians are and what a misunderstood and humanitarian government they have.

During the Crimean crisis they went out of their way to show what liers tha Americans were, how distorted the news were and how nice and good everything was in the Crimean region. They almost went to the point where they would have said that those uniformed and armed (Russian) goons were nothing else but school crossing guards.

Give them credit where credit is due, they do show some international news but their programming is primarily about Russia and most of their correspondents are Russians with the exceptions a few Americans who really don't care where their money is coming from.

When Larry King left CNN he found a home with RT. I guess he didn't care where his money came from as long as he could talk.

At least Al Jazeera America the Arab TV network that is owned by a not very America friendly Arab country do not broadcast anti-American programs!

This is what I mean when I say "It is a great country we live in"!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Cooking

We men, and I speak mainly for myself, depend on our women for so much that it is unbelievable. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of the house and a million other things. We taking everything for granted. Don't deny it because we all know it is the truth. However, when tragedy strikes and we find ourselves alone with nobody to tell us what to do that is the second part of the tragedy.

It is taken for granted that or wives remember everything we like to eat and they always prepare it to our tastes. The problem is that they always make it look so easy. They know all the ingredients, the spices, the flavorings, the right quantities and the correct time each one needs to have the create the perfect meal.

Now that I am alone I am trying to tackle the mysteries of cooking. Thanks to my good friends I really do not need to cook for myself but once in a while I like to try my hand at it.

This morning I made myself bird nest. That is two eggs sunnyside up in two slices of bread with the inside of the bread taken out. I am very good at this "complicated" cooking.

When I finished it I was really proud of myself!

One night I decided to have steak for dinner. There are a few steaks frozen in my freezer from way back and I was told by reliable authority that frozen food would last forever. I took one out from the freezer in the morning and thawed it out very nicely. Then I marinated it and spiced it up and made it ready for the evening. When evening came I expertly opened a can of vegetables and while the steak was cooking I heated up the veggies.

After dinner I congratulated myself.

One day I bought eight pieces of fried chicken at the supermarket. By the way, they make fantastic fried chicken. I had a few pieces for dinner and put the rest away for other times. Next time I decided to have some I put them in the microwave to heat them up and had them with some potatoes. Actually this was the plan. But it didn't work out exactly as planned.

Just when I sat down to start my nice, warm fried chicken feast the phone rang. And, after that conversation the phone rang again. Now, I am a very polite person and very grateful when friends call. The bottom line is that the cold chicken with the cold vegetable wasn't that bad!?

I am very grateful to my wife because in her last few months She made me watch when She was doing dinner and I still remember a few of Her instructions. I know I will never be able to prepare such scrumptious meals as She did but at least I will not die of hunger.

So, what's the point of all this?

The point is that we men shouldn't take anything and anybody for granted. We should be prepared for unforeseeable events in order to prevent becoming burden to others.

Now, that's enough philosophy for one day. I am going to prepare my dinner now.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Market

For days now the stock market was on a down slide. Finally, on Tuesday it showed some sign of life and went up a little. Good news! Yesterday, Wednesday it was very energetic and it seemed it wanted to correct all its previous wrongdoing and it really went high. Very good news! Made back a little of the losses so things were looking up. Thought I!

Well, today it dropped like the Hindenburg back in 1937. They said it was the worst day in two years. And they also said there was no news of any kind that provided the reason for such losses.

That is really very frightening. When something happens, like Ukraine or North Korea or some other country that really effect the news it is understandable that the stock markets react. But when there is really no rhyme or reason just because... that is scary.

At the time I am writing this, about 20 minutes after New York market closings the Dow was down 1.62% while the NASDAQ was down 3.1%. These are serious money losses that will be very difficult to recoup.

The stock market is just like the weather. Nobody know what the market will be tomorrow just as nobody know what the weather will be tomorrow either.

The only difference is that people who deal with the stock market make a lot more money than the people who deal with the weather.

I never heard a mother to say I hope my son (or daughter) will be a meteorologist but rather they dream of their offsprings to go into finance.

It is more fun to play with my money than let me know that tomorrow will be a gorgeous day than it turns out a crappy and ugly day.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

The City

This morning, true to my promise to myself, I got up early (retired early) and went to the gym to exercise and work off the weight I am gradually putting on.

The gym is about 20 minutes from where I live with a large parking lot. Twenty minutes is not the end of the world that's why I decided to sign up to this particular place. Prior to this one I belonged to a nice health club close to home but many times I had to spend more than a half an hour to find parking. Besides that the owner simply stole the equipment, money and disappeared one night. I am not even mentioning what nationality he was but he was a scumbag!

Anyway I signed up to this place, a large national company very good rates and I like it.

So, I get up early and hit the road. Here comes the problem, getting on the road at 8:30am I am at end of rush hour. That means traffic is crawling regardless which direction one is going. My travels take me in the opposite direction from going into Manhattan and that makes one hope that going away from the City there would be no traffic. No such luck. The same thing happened to me yesterday and I was hoping that today would be different.

No exception. Both times it took me about 45 minutes to get to my destination.

Now why am I mentioning this, you ask? I'll tell you why. Because I am pissed at the media.

The minute I get in my car I turn on the radio and hoping to get the traffic report so I can be prepared. Well, the morning traffic report is geared to drivers going into Manhattan from whatever god forsaken place they travel from. Nobody gives a damn about drivers daring to go to the opposite direction. Unless there is a nuclear explosion in the outbound lanes there will be no mention of any traffic problem. The outbound traffic was standing still, the inbound was moving well but the traffic report was still preoccupied with getting into Manhattan.

If one listens to any kind of reporting in New York it always appear that Manhattan is the center of the universe. The way I see it Manhattan is not for New Yorkers it is for visitors. It is crowded, it is expensive more like overpriced, parking is impossible and unfriendly.

I live in a suburb of New York where there are trees, one can drive and even can find parking places. There are good restaurants within reach and they are affordable. So why in the world would I want to go into Manhattan. I used to work there but since I retired we only went in for the medical care. But not because it was better there but because that was where the doctor happened to be.

Whenever there is some newsworthy event in any of the outer boroughs the reporters treat it like it is another country. Some of them can not even describe the neighborhoods.

Years ago there were traffic signs on some of the main roads telling which way was to the CITY. After many complaints they took them down because we all live in the city and Manhattan is not the only CITY.

As anybody who reads this will be able to tell, I do not like Manhattan. I can live without it very happily.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Second Tuesday

I am writing this on Tuesday evening, publishing it on Wednesday. So, everything that happened and was called today was on Tuesday.

Today I went to the gym in the morning. I forced myself to get out of the house in the morning and do some exercise. It is so easy to stay home and do nothing just watch the time go by. Well, today I worked out and honestly, it felt really good. Planning the same for tomorrow. Planning is the key word, it reamains to be seen.

In the afternoon I went into Manhattan because today was the day that the hospital has the monthly bereavement session. It is held on the second Tuesday of every month. The first time I went was last month and honestly that was very difficult for me.

This time it was a lot easier. Not because I am tough and I don't mourn my wife and don't think of her. No,sir!

I do all those things and more but it was easier because this was my second time there and I found it more relaxing to talk about my feelings.

There were two ladies there along with me who recently lost their mothers to cancer. Both were extremely close to their mothers therefore the loss was terrible for them. I really felt sorry for these people. One of the ladies had really no life outside of beeing with her mom. They were friends and companions and the loss is badly affecting her.

I am not comparing the loss of a parent to the loss of one's love of life. Each one is a life altering situation and each is terrible on its own that I can not wish on anyone.

But back to the session. It is very relaxing and above all very open and honest. We are telling total strangers things that we are not telling to our closest friends or family members. Mainly because these strangers thoroughly understand each other and share in each other's miseries, guilts and regrets. And, believe me, we all have our miseries, guilts and regrets.

I have a close friend who lost his wife not very long ago pretty much the same way as I did. He now lives alone surrounded by his memories. He is probably the only one who knows what I am going through because he experienced the same emotions before. But still it is somehow easier to confide in those strangers.

Can't wait for May 13, that will be the next second Tuesday.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

XP

It appears that on Tuesday (today) Microsoft stops supporting the Windows XP program. As I understand this means that everybody who has XP on his computer will be open to hackers or any other type of computer terrorists. Microsoft will not offer anymore updates and security protections.

As I read, the hackers are waiting around the corner with their tongues hanging out for the moment when they can attack with no fear. The fact that the better part of rhe world uses Windows XP did nothing to deter Microsoft to stop their support. Businesses and individuals will be equally effected.

So, what is one to do?

As I understand, the solution is simple. Download Windows 7 or the latest version of Windows 8 or even better throw out your computer and buy a new one with the latest program.

The problem is that every one of them cost money. One can not download a program for free nor can one get a new computer for no cost. It seems to me that Microsoft doesn't give a damn about what the public wants they are just charging ahead on their own agenda.

Their attitude is that if ain't broken don't fix it, so let's break it and then we can fix it.

Let's just hope that after today, we'll still have our money in our banks and our Social Security numbers are not shared with anybody else.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Weekend

The weekend went by very fast. Instead of taking it easy Saturday was my busiest day of the week.

Most of my Saturdays are usually spent with a friend of mine and her daughter. This Saturday we had a really full schedule. We went to look for patio (terrace) furniture (three stores), then we did some shoe shopping (not for me), then we went to buy some tableclothes (not for me), than we looked for some ladies' clothing.

At the end we both two pairs of sunglasses (one for me). Than we finally went to the supermarket where we bought what was on the original agenda.

After that, around 6:00 in the evening we decided to eat. Being just about dinnertime and a beautiful day every place we tried was so crowded that the waiting was 35-45 minutes. Eventually we found a very nice restaurant where there was no waiting, the food was very good as well as the service.

We finished dinner by 7:30 and decided to call it a day. I took them home and by the time I got home was well after 8 o'clock. A long, long day.

After unpacking my supermarket purchases I plopped down front of the TV and did not move for over two hours.

That was Saturday. Now Sunday was a differently paced day. I had big plans to do a lot of good around the house since I really didn't want to go out at all.

The good news is that most of the good are still to be done. That means I'll never be bored. But seriously, I did some good.

Primarily I fed myself fairly well. Then I spent several hours writing cards to people to express my appreciation and thanks for the love they have shown towards my wife and (maybe) me. It really felt good. And, when I look at the pile of cards that I will have to mail tomorrow I am proud of me.

I don't know how I will top this achievemnt!

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Is there a God?

The question is academic. I am sure there is a God somewhere. There is a power that is ruling over us, that is deciding for us everything that happens, the whys and the hows and also the outcomes. I am sure there is a God that created all this we call our universe.

And, I am also sure that God has nothing to do with religions and beliefs. Since this earth has more than seven billion inhabitants it is very acceptable that people beliefs vary. In more primitive times beliefs were based on the more unexplained things, on phenomenons. As time went by beliefs changed and they got more "sophisticated".

Just like the story of Babel. People wanted to build a tower to heaven so they could reach God. Also, at this time the people of the world spoke in one language. Well, God didn't like this, demolished their tower and confused their language, causing them to speak in different tongues so they would not understand each other.

I think this is the same way with religions. God does not want the people to have one religion thus the reason for the myriad of beliefs.

I also believe that God can do whatever he wants. He can create miracles, he can change outcomes, he can do good or he can do bad.

That is why I can not get it through my simple mind why is it that everywhere I look I see trouble, I see misery, I see unhappiness.

If God is so forgiving and loving why he can not help the people who need his help the most, the people he himself created?

A friend called and let me know that her 11 year old granddaughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. What bad thing that child did in her short life to deserve this? Why a loving God had to permit this condition to happen?

Why a supposedly loving God had to permit my wife to go through what She just went through? If God is forgiving and loving and omnipotent why he could not help Her and allow Her illness to be cured. Why he had to take Her from me and from this world?

I do not buy the explanation by clergymen that everything that happens happens for a reason. To me that is a copout. They don't want the faithful to lose faith yet, they have no explanation for the outcome of the events. When a tragedy like this happens it can shake anyone's belief because there is no rational explanation at the end.

I have to keep believing that She is in a better place now than She was before, where there is no pain and there is no suffering.

But, I am still waiting by the door!

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Being alone

When one lives his or her life with a partner one gets used to things. Things that come naturally and no thoughts are given to what might happen if a change occurs in one's life.

Losing a life partner and find oneself alone in this world is a major traumatic experience. It is an experience not wished on anybody, not even on an enemy.

Life suddenly takes a turn toward aimless living. Days come and go without any particular goals. My social calendar is kind of empty.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not complaining. I have good friends who look after me, inquire about my well being, make sure that I eat well.

But I get up every morning and think about what will I do that day. And most of the time I come up empty.

When my wife was here with me every day we went out, did some shopping, had lunch, went to some more stores then went home. But it was fun. I never complained about Her shopping habits.

Now, I don't shop. I have more clothes than I know what to do with. I don't go out for lunch becaue there is nothing more depressing than eating alone. O.k. when I worked I ate alone a lot but that was different. That was not depressing because that was by choice. Now the situation is different.

The places we used to go to lunch are not really places where one can go easily by oneself. So, I go to the gym (if I'm not too lazy) than go home and stay there until I go to a friend's house for dinner.

That brings up another problem. We own a two week timeshare in the Caribbean. Obviously it is not easy for me to go there alone. Although I have friends I can be with for one week but after the first week they all leave to go home and I am stuck all by myself for a whole week. The restaurants on that island are really not geared to feed single persons. For one week I would be so alone that it would be totally depressing.

I'll probably just stay home this year to avoid any unnecessary sadness. I'll just stay home and wait for the doorbell to ring!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Age, again

Soylent Green was a 1973 science fiction movie with a storyline that happens in the future in 2022. Back then it looked like far in the future but now it is just around the corner.

The short version of the story is that New York City has 44 million people living in, it is polluted and overcrowded. Most of the population survives on biscuits produced by the Soylent Corporation, whose newest product is called Soylent Green...

At the end of the movie it turns out that old people are euthanized and their remains are used as substance for the Soylent Green. So the current population is feeding on the older generation.

I think that is where this society is heading. Being old is now against the norm. If one is old he is not hireable. If one is old he does not count anymore because he does not know what he is talking about. A lifetime of experience do not count at all. If one is old he can not be taught new things. If one is old he is useless and does nothing just takes up space.

The only thing old people are good for is to take their money. If I go to a store and want to buy something nobody will tell me: please we can't take your money, you are old! But if I would try to get hired for a job I will be told: we can't hire you, you are old!

I think becoming a biscuit look more and more realistic. Who knows that by 2022 the world will not come to that.

That is why I don't like young people. They are the ones who make us look useless and they are the ones who try to take us out of circulation.

But if they would realize that everything they know and everything they do is built on our hard work, our sweat and on our experience.

I suggest that old(er) people unite and outlaw young people before the opposite happens.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Age

I might have written about this subject a couple of hundred blogs ago but I am not sure, so I write it now.

I am not young. Physically I am at a good advanced age but mentally I feel that seventy is the new forty!? Does this sound ok?

Anyway, the point is that I lived long enough, went through a lot of things, gained a lot of experience, managed the good and the bad.

Why am I saying these?

Because everywhere I look there is advice being given by people who could be my great grand children. Every time I turn the TV on there is someone giving financial, ethical, pshycological or medical advise and that person barely cleared the learner's permit age.

These people come out of some Ivy League school and they are convinced that it gives them the right to know everything better than everybody else. They have no experience, everything they say is based on what they learned from textbooks.

When my wife and I were in the hospital some social worker came up to me and said that knowing the problems I was facing if I wanted to talk she was available.

Please, give me a break! She was barely 25 or 30 years old, and I am over 70. What could she tell me that would have helped? She might have had all the necessary education and degrees but she certainly lacked life experience. There was absolutely nothing she could have told me that I already didn't know and experience.

My slogan is that I know everything and if I didn't know it it is not important. Sounds a little pompous but that's the way I feel.

I used to have an aged stock broker. He knew the market, he frequently called me with good suggestions, he was trustworthy and I had confidence in him.

Now, the company has these young turks who claim to know everything about the market and I should place my faith and future in their hands. When donkeys fly!

This is the first part of my tirade against young people. I'll continue this in the second installment.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Good Food

In my opinion if one wants to eat good in New York they must go to other than American cuisine. I have been living here in the states for over fifty years but still in love with Hungarian food. Unfortunately there are no Hungarian restaurants wirth mentioning so I have to be satisfied with restaurants of neghboring countries. Like Slovakia or Austria.

Monday I was meeting two of my dearest and oldest (for duration not age!) friends and their lovely wives. Since we are Hungarians we wanted to eat something good. Lacking Hungarian eateries we chose a German restaurant. This was getting as close as possible to our own kind of food. Well, in short we all ate very well to say the least.

I am sorry to admit but after living here in the US for over fifty years I still could not fall in love with American cooking. I'm not saying that I don't desire a good steak once in a while or a good cheeseburger. But I would very happily exchange them for a good goulash soup or for a good chicken paprikash. I'm not even listing the other good Hungarian foods because it would just make me hungry and fat just by thinking about them.

Back to restaurants. Years ago there were several Hungarian restaurants in Manhattan. One could pick where to eat. The last good one closed up about ten years ago and a little half ass eatery opened up. Today even that place is not serving food anymore only pastries. It is a crying shame that in a big city like New York where one can find a particular restaurant for any nationality, from Mongolian to Lebanese there is no Hungarian restaurant.

The bottom line is if one wants to eat good Hungarian food he must go to Hungary. And that is not an easy process anymore. Years ago there were direct flights between New York and Budapest but now there are none. The Hungarian airline Malev went bankrupt and ceased to exist and all other airlines stopped direct service between North America and Hungary. So, by the time one gets there he is so tired from the long travel he loses the urge for the food!

But one of these days I'll just bite the bullet and go there and eat my soulfood.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Little Italy

For those of you who do not know New York City here is a little backround information. Downtown New York always had a section called Little Italy. This was an area on the north side of Canal Street opposite Chinatown. The area was filled with Italian restaurants, pastry shops, gift shops and other Italian connected stores.

Unfortunately with the expansion of Chinatown Little Italy all but disappeared. Now there are a few restaurants that remained to remind the nostalgics that this is where Little Italy once existed.

But no fear. There is a small area high in the Bronx centered around Arthur Avenu and 187 street where Little Italy lives and breathes. I was there on Friday with some European friends. This is a very lovely area. A few blocks large but filled with restaurants, pastry shops, bakeries, butcher shops and other Italian related businesses.

One can not go there hungry because everything look so appetizing. The bakeries with freshly baked breads that crunch just by looking at them. The pastry shops with their beautiful pastries: cannolis, tortonis, spumonis. This is as far as my Italian goes. But they look good.

We had lunch in a lovely small and naturally Italian restaurant where there were white tableclothes and napkins. Oh, the food was very good. I don't know about my friends because they have a more educated pallate then me, but I did enjoy lunch very much. I don't want to sound like a food critic so I will not list what we ate but I liked it.

The best time to go there is during the week because the place is empty. On weekends it really fills up. But during the week only the seniors, unemployed and tourists visit. We fell into these categories, all three.