Syracuse, NY September 24th

Syracuse has been a welcome respite, but the city still remains somewhat of a mystery to me. Having been born and raised here, any insights are hidden by veils of nostalgia, remembrances, and having escaped from here years ago. But the traffic lights are still not synchronized, and the once bustling downtown I remembered as a child is now merely a canyoned thoroughfare.

I love the people at Mom's assisted living home. They exhibit the gamut of old-age symptoms but they persevere with a benign acceptance, warmly greeting one another, engaging in senior activities, and enjoying the communal dining. It's a world so removed from Ground Zero, they might as well be in Idaho. No one speaks of anyone dying. Instead, a chair at one of the tables suddenly becomes vacant, replaced relatively soon by a new tenant, and a new friend.

I joined in the Bingo activity (at 5 cents a game) and had a ball joking with the people around us. Despite her 'benign senescent forgetfulness', Mom is as sharp as biting cheddar in following her card. I won a few times and, while I felt a little guilty, I also felt that little twinge of excitement when I yelled "Bingo!". I guess I have something to look forward to?

Mom is doing great. Her attitude is (and always has been) one of joviality, amity and smiles. We should all be so lucky.

I also met with cousin Joey Spadafore, a private investigator. Hearing all the stories and getting a demonstration of all the spying equipment he employs, I've spent the last couple of days looking for hidden cameras everyplace I go. I can't let that distract me when I get to Manhattan. I'll just 'forget about it'. I'm on my way. Ciao.