ABSILVER's World

There are roads less taken in this world.  I find, in my life, that has tended to be my path. I sit here this morning in Fort Lauderdale, looking at fogged over windows because I keep the AC on way cold at night, and this is a sign that summer and its humidity is truly here.   Looking around the condo, that started as my home in early 2011 and in a city, I have called home since 1992 I know the dauntless task of packing begins. Except for a few years in the mid 2000’s I have had part of my life and much of my heart in Fort Lauderdale for 27 years and in this building for 25 of those years.  Along the way have shared my home with others, dogs and split lives with New York, New Jersey and Provincetown but always had my foundation here in Fort Lauderdale and in this building. I sit here, with more coffee, after going to Home Depot for moving boxes, tape, and markers to put off the start of packing, and another sign that we are moving away to Austin, TX.   311 is under contr

Today is such a serious day, in serious times we live in.  So, I thought I would visit a topic that brings an occasional tear in my eye.  Mamma Mia the movie. You may have heard of it, it is based on a book that brings together ABBA songs into a movie musical.  I confess, as many gay men would, that I love ABBA music.  Always has a beat, good lyrics, and an occasional song like "Winner Takes it All" where it can just sneak into your mind and soul. My other confession, as someone who has experienced some great Broadway Musicals, to never having seen Mamma Mia on Broadway. Now, It isn't because I didn't think it was artistic enough, not some prima donna art lover.  If you have read my blog you know one of my favorite Musicals was "Hair Spray".  Truth be told I don't think I went to see it because, and not sure, and thought it would run for ever. So, what does this have to do with the Movie.  It turns out not too much, other than

Celebrating my Mom on Mother's Day! 2023 Update for Mother's Day! It is Mother’s Day 2023… I wrote this a few years ago to share my love and admiration for my mom. This last year has reminded me more of how amazing and strong she is. My father, her husband of sixty-three years, passed away, and her courage and strength through these trying times are a great reminder of why I admire her. Her zest for life, her love of her family, and her inner strength to cope with a new life without my Dad in a new home is amazing and a lesson to her family. Hope all the mothers in the world have a fabulous day! . You start out Mother's Day thinking about your early years of life.   My earliest memories were in Lagrange, GA.  Vaguely remember, but I remember picking pecans from the grove nearby and going to the Struletzes, and they had a candy cabinet,   Not just a shelf but a whole cabinet of candy.  I remember cousins visiting and getting into trouble.  I also remember Marcia and Wa

Birthdays and Short Ribs In light , of all the serious news of the day, and a year that seems to be full of changes for everyone, I thought I would share something near and dear to my heart as yesterday was Frank’s birthday To celebrate we had a few friends over, for beef short ribs.  I have heard others say how hard they are to make, and honest they are quite easy, and so I thought I would take you all through my adventure of making them on Thursday.   First, we start with the recipe, from Bon Appetite, at http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/short-rib-lasagna .  I ended up not making the lasagna but I stand by the recipe for cooking the ribs. Shopping As all good kitchen cooks know, success  starts with the best quality ingredients.  Whole Foods or Fresh Market will, but for special occasions and recipes, only a real butcher will do if you have one nearby. Especially if you are cooking a special cut of meat, like short ribs and briskets, you need the b

It bothers me.. it really does.  It just doesn't bother me, actually I am mad as hell.  I don't really know what to do with the anger, beach walks in the morning tone it down, but I am still mad as hell. Donald Trump is president, and surprise he turns out to be the person he ran as.  I kept hearing he won't attack a women's rights.  He was a liberal democrat so don't worry.  Don't worry we won't let anything happen to your rights. Guess what boys and girls, we have a man true to his word no matter how ugly those words are.  His advice is coming from those that steered the message that got him elected.  He thinks nothing of criticizing the head of Australia, China, and you name it publicly to make sure everyone understands their is a new sheriff in town and frankly he just doesn't seem to care about the world at large. What does he care about?  He cares about a wall between here and Mexico. Surprisingly one comment he made I agree with and i

I started yesterday, thinking about tomorrow!  I kept wondering what I would do, how I would feel, how I would behave waking up realizing our government and opportunity has changed.    Mother Nature decided to help me.  She reminded me that as strong as we humans are she still owns our environment, our skies, and our earth.  Her pallet of colors in the morning sky were unusually stunning.  There was a layer of clouds between the sun rising and her blue sky creating a new pallet of color I had not seen.  Here is a link to some of those pictures, I even took some from the car on my way back as I was in awe which as someone lucky enough to do this most mornings is hard to do.  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/085z1dc1amvcfie/AACSHC5TmFTFfS16CjieYcnta?dl=0 I sit here with some angst, stress and a down heart and some odd optimism as I look to Friday so here is a little more on how I feel and my own observations.  First, strange optimism , I watched some of the confir

So, How do you feel this morning Mr. Silverman? It is about 7 AM on Sunday the 8th, 48 degrees and chilly, so I watch the sunrise from our living room.  Palm trees swaying in the breeze and thinking about the past week and especially Friday. To spend Friday afternoon, of the first week of the new year, watching a tragedy unfold 15 minutes from my home is surreal.  To watch the scene of a gun man shooting arriving passengers, many I am sure here for a holiday or a cruise, just because they were there.  Not sure how he chose Fort Lauderdale, or if they will ever find a motive beyond mental illness and some voices in his head, but this baggage claim area and the Delta Terminal is somewhere I have been I am sure 100's of times if not more in the almost 25 years I have been living in and coming to Fort Lauderdale. I was truly touched by all the people texting me, and reaching out on Facebook to make sure I, Frank and Miss Belle were OK.  Was just a few weeks ago they came to t