WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

This is the time of year when we enjoy amazing meals, wonderful quality time with family, and reflect on what we are grateful for. We can and should choose to be thankful all the time, and not just on Thanksgiving. Dont let the attitude of gratitude disappear. Choose to be grateful each day. Yet, as we tune into the news each day, it is far too easy to only see the negativity around us. The world is full of violence, pain, hardship, war, and turmoil. While people are dying in Israel, Ukraine, and Gaza; giving thanks seems disingenuous. Actually, though, as I watch these horrific stories unfold, it makes me realize how fortunate and lucky I am. We need to focus on what keeps us grounded. Our culture suggests buying and acquiring more will bring happiness. But, the true key to our contentment is in our relationships. This is what brings us infinite joy. Start with contemplating who you appreciate and why. Everyone likes being appreciated! Tell your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your parents, your friends, your relatives, and co-workers how much you value them. Tell them often! Your appreciation lifts spirits for you and them, AND at the same time makes them feel validated. Marcel Proust said, "let us be grateful to the people who make us happy, They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Each day when you wake up as you open your eyes and place your feet on the ground-enjoy that moment! You're here, you're strong, you're resilent! Check out the sunrise and how beautiful it is. "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to love. Then make that day count." (Steve Maraboli) If we recognize the small and big blessings in our lives, it will allow us to be show humility and compassion. It will alter your spirit and transform your negative energy into something positive. "Gratitude is the closest thing to beauty manifested in emotion." (Mindy Kaling) Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season! PEACE OUT-ONE B p.s.-other things I am truly grateful for: Literature-which adds wisdom Music-which lifts my spirit Diners-NJ has the BEST diners! Sunrise/Sunset/the NYC skyline-which makes me appreciate beauty Netflix-which eases my insatiable appetite for television and, finally-peanut m&m's and twizzlers

BAKING IS LOVE MADE VISIBLE

My Grandma Fanny used to make the most delicious cookies! I vividly remember they were in the shapes of moons, stars, clovers, and hearts. I always looked forward to our holiday meals, and the times my parents would go away on vacation. Grandma Fanny and Grandpa Max would come to stay with my sister and me. We actually sat down to three home cooked meals each day, and it was such a treat! Sadly, my mother didn't inherit my grandma's talent for cooking and baking. Weekly, my mom would go to the grocery store and come home with an excess of toilet paper! While we were well stocked with that, there was not a lot of food. She could make a "mean" salad though. Generally, our meals were basic and boring. As a result, my sister and I learned to cook and we both love to cook. One can never have enough food, and we enjoy having company for the holidays. My true passions are creating soups and baking desserts. It was the logical progression that once I got married and had my own children, I became the host for many holiday celebrations. Family gatherings are my happy place. I love to convene around the table, feed everyone, and observe the different generations interacting and conversing about the topics that are relevant to each of them. Baking for others also helps me remember the joyous times from my childhood when my Grandma cooked for me. Eleven years ago, my first grandchild was born. When he turned one, I baked him a Birthday Cake. Since then, it has become a tradition for Nonni (that's what my grandchildren call me) to create a cake for each of my five grandchildren's birthdays. Since May, I have baked five Birthday cakes! (I am now done until next May! phew). Each child always has a different request as to the theme: i.e. Minnesota Vikings, Witches, the cake shape in a number or as a donut, Van Gogh's Starry night, a Rainbow, etc. Next they tell me the cake flavor(s). Then, the shape and colors of the actual cake. And finally, the type of icing and the exterior accessorizing with edible decorations. We start discussing these demands months before so that I am sure to obtain the necessary ingredients! My goal, of course, is to honor all the requests AND make a delicious cake for them. But, primarily, I just delight at the sight of these children when they first spot the cake design. There is no greater pleasure for me than to watch their faces light up with wide smiles. And, then, if I'm lucky, I am rewarded again with their joy once they take that first bite. No ask is too much for me. I will bake exactly what they want, no matter how many steps it takes. I want them to know how important they are to me, and how much I love them. Baking is an authentic way for me to show my love to and for others. In my opinion, my birthday cakes are meant for my SPECIAL people on their most SPECIAL days. Now that I have finished decorating my grandchildren's houses for Halloween, and that craziness is over, I immediately start the baking for our Thanksgiving feasts which take place on both Thursday and Friday! Its been a tradition for me to make between twelve to fourteen desserts each year. Each member of my family has a favorite, and I intend to honor them as long as I am able. One enjoys the Gramercy Tavern Brownies, another loves Emeril's chocolate bread pudding with fresh shlag, another must have my famous 3 day rice pudding, and yet another enjoys Kahlua Cake or the molasses cookies! At the same time of providing stess relief for me (because it requires focus on measuring ingredients and paying attention to technique), it eases physical and emotional hunger for everyone. These desserts are my own way to enjoy quality family time. It is a method for me to create and give my individuality to those I love. It is the fashion in which I bring the family together and hopefully, it's a reminder of the sweetness of sharing time together. If and when I can no longer do all this, I have ensured that my daughters will be able to take over. When each of them had their bridal showers, I presented them with a binder of all my recipes. My hope is that when I am no longer here they can make my recipes and pass them on to their children and grandchildren. I know they will get just as much pleasure from this as I have! "The people who give you their food give you their heart." Cesar Chavez "Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all." Harriet van Horne PEACE OUT-ONE B

ACCEPTABLE TOPICS AND TIME LIMITS (AT A MEAL, ON THE PHONE, WHILE SOCIALIZING)

Everyone has the honor of being young, but not all of us have the honor of growing old. As we age, not surprisingly, we obsess more about our health, longevity, our children, and our grandchildren. I began to think about what are the acceptable subjects we can discuss with our family, friends, clients, and acquaintances. 1)TALKING ABOUT OUR MEDICAL AILMENTS: I have a dear friend who suggests we can only speak of one body part for only 5 minutes, and then you must be done! It's a great rule. (Thanks, Scottie) 2)SHOWING PHOTOS OF YOUR GRANDCHILDREN: I always groaned when people pulled out numerous pictures of their grandchildren. However, now that I am "NONNI" to five magnificent grandchildren, I have become one of those obnoxious grandparents who love to flash photos in your face! A good rule of thumb is to only show one photo of each grandchild. BUT, only if someone makes the request. 3)BRAGGING OR TALKING ABOUT GRANDCHILDREN: Again, this is only acceptable if asked about them. THEN, you should limit it to 5 minutes! There is an exception however-if you have a new grandchild, you can show all the photos you want, and discuss the newborn for as long as you like-no limits exist! 4)VENTING ABOUT YOUR AGING(55-80)BUT GENERALLY HEALTHY PARENT(S): My feeling is that this is never acceptable to talk about with your friends. I think you can vent privately to your siblings or spouse. Try to remember that while they may be aggravating to you at the moment, your parents act out of love, always. And, you are extremely blessed that they are still around to occasionally annoy you! I wish mine were still here. 5)COMPLAINING ABOUT AILING OLDER PARENTS(80-100+); At a meal with contemporaries, there should be a 5 minute limit! On the phone, you can discuss for as long as you want. With your spouse, I think you should limit this topic to 5-10 minutes a day, and NEVER while being intimate! Many of us care for our parents on a daily basis. It's trying and mentally exhausting-I get it. But complaining gets old real quick. 6)VENTING ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY UPSET YOU BY WORDS, ACTIONS, OR INACTIONS: In my opinion, it is NEVER acceptable with friends. I'm okay with you complaining to your spouse, siblings, or sister/brother in laws! Maybe, it's occasionally permissable with your closest friends. 7)BRAGGING ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN: Never really acceptable at a dinner with friends unless they specifically inquire. With good friends, you do have a genuine interest in their children, and you sincerely want to hear about their lives. 8)WAXING POETIC ABOUT AN UPCOMING HAPPY EVENT OR OCCASION: This is always fine to discuss whenever and wherever for as long as you want with anyone who will listen! 9)DISCUSSING YOUR ANXIETY, DEPRESSION OR SADNESS: ALWAYS, ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOUR FRIENDS,SPOUSE, CHILDREN, RELATIVES, OR A PROFESSIONAL. NEVER HOLD BACK-EVER. 10)UPCOMING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS: Generally, not acceptable at a meal with contemporaries. It doesn't make for great dinner conversation. Rather, it's totally cool with your besties either in person, on the phone, or while texting each other. 11)POLITICS: If you are with those who have similar political ideas, it is totally okay. If you are with those who have opposing views, don't broach current events-it will not go well. 12)LOOKING AT YOUR CELL PHONE OR TAKING CALLS: This is totally UNACCEPTABLE at a meal or an event. The exceptions are if you have a sick child or parent. Or if a babysitter needs to reach you. Looking at your cell phone or texting while you are socializing with others is rude and unnnecessary, unless it's for an emergency. 13)COMPLEMENTING SOMEONE: It is always acceptable to give someone a complement about clothes, shoes, accessories, physical appearance, job performance, their intellect, their kindness or generosity, their spouse, or their children. SO, IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT TO TALK ABOUT AFTER I'VE LIMITED YOUR TOPICS? BUT, OF COURSE! THERE'S ALWAYS: THE WEATHER YOUR UPCOMING TRAVEL OR RECENT TRIP SHOWS, CONCERTS, MOVIES, TELEVISION, LITERATURE, MUSIC ART, EXHIBITS, MUSEUMS HOBBIES CARDS, BRIDGE, MAHJONG RECIPES, FOOD, RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS NEWS(EXCLUDING POLITICS AND RELIGION) THE STOCK MARKET TEAM SPORTS, PLAYERS, SCORES YOUR GOLF GAME, SKIING, TENNIS, PICKLEBALL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES "Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears." John Lennon "If you're blessed enough to grow older,there's so much wisdom to be gained from people who are celebrating the process with vibrancy and vigor and grace." Oprah WISHING FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE: A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR. MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE. PEACE OUT-ONE B

A POST APOCALYPTIC DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY

My friends have suggested that we are currently living in a post apocalytic dystopian society. That seems like a depressing and drastic opinion, but lets examine it further. In a post apocalyptic time, life is threatened on a global scale. Natural or man-made circumstances have threatened society and we are forced to navigate the new physical and social landscape after a disaster. Our focus becomes attempting to survive together. Disease and natural disasters immediately come to mind. Covid has killed 6,907,932 people spanning 229 countries. As fall approaches, we are seeing this virus reappear and are being warned to take heed. We are advised to get new vaccines and wear masks in crowded venues AGAIN. As if that isn't enough of an issue, Florida has recently reported new cases of malaria and Leprosy appearing. These are diseases that were essentially eradicated in our country, but are slowly invading. Those of you who deny that climate change is real, just look around. Globally, June was the hottest month on record and August, too, threatens to be one of the hottest on record. The extreme heat has caused warmer ocean water which means more moisture in the atmosphere. This, in turn, has produced flooding rains all over the U.S., rip tides, melting glaciers in Alaska, landslides in Norway, flash floods in Maine, trees falling and electrical outages. This extreme heat has also caused the wildfires in many areas of our country, Canada, Mediterranean Europe, northern Africa, Greece, and southern Italy. Currently, fires are burning in Maui and much of this beautiful island is destroyed. These environmental disasters are caused by the combination of natural variations within the climate system and human-caused climate change which emit warming greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. These dangerous weather patterns, the pandemic sicknesses which cause extreme loss of life, and natural disasters are challenging our survival. Oh, and have we even touched on the topics of insects and sea life? Where did Spotted Lanternflies come from? Native to parts of Asia, they arrived a decade ago and are a detriment to our plants and can create widespread harm to our economy. Specifically, the wine industry is in fear! These insects love grapevines. We are encouraged to kill them so they don't destroy our plants and trees and our beloved wine. Shall we move on to discuss Shark Bites? This summer has been especially scary. Supposedly, the cause of shark attacks is, again, due to climate change. The higher ocean temperatures are pushing sharks from the warmer, less populated Southern Hemisphere towards the cooler and more crowded Northern Hemisphere. The sharks are swimming closer to the shoreline looking for food, and this causes an increased possibility of humans coming into direct contact with the hungry sharks. What else is affecting sea life? In Southern California, the horrid smell wafting from dead sea lions and dolphins is unbearable. Red tide or toxic algae is believed to be partially caused by human polution. In addition, climate change can increase the growth of these toxins in fresh and salt water. In a post apocalyptic society, we see the possible causes of the collapse of our earth's civilization. It can be due to war, environmental disasters, pandemics, or plaques. It appears as if we are, in fact, living this nightmare. A dystopia suggests a society where there is possibly a political or social struggle. In books, it's often an imaginary place where everything is as bad as it can be. It might be a place where women no longer have rights. Or, where technology causes the loss of individualism. It's overuse causes the world to be "less human and less humane." Consider the reversal of Roe V. Wade, or the use of AI for creative outlets like television, music, and literature. A dystopian society may appear to be intact and functioning, but the future is disturbing, dark, and may be on the brink of collapsing. So where do we go from here? How do we turn things around for a bright future and thriving society? Hopefully, these dire situations that I have mentioned will incite awareness. Hopefully, this will catalyze broader knowledge that will in turn stimulate all of us to make significant changes in our lifestyles. We all need to accept that climate change is real, and we must modify our behavior to save the planet. This is not a partisan issue. Everyone is affected. PEACE OUT-ONE B

SUMMER SUGGESTIONS

Many of you who know me, know that I love "products" and love trying new things. I rarely stick to a regime for hair or skin care or nails. That said, I do have a few long standing products that remain a constant in my routine. SKINCARE Skinceuticals CE Freulic-This is the one product I use both day and night. An expensive antioxidant addiction, but I must have it. Available on line or at Blue Mercury. $182.00 Oil of Olay Complete lotion moisturizer with sunscreen spf 15-I use the bottle for normal skin because I love the original scent. After all these years, it's still a favorite of mine. CVS $9.99. Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum-Retinol is a must for aging skin and avoiding wrinkles. $185.00 at Bloomies. LIPS Evolve Together Hydrating Lip Balm Anguilla-repairs dry lips and feels great-not gooey. $26.00 on their website. Fieldtrip Overnight Hydrating Lip Mask-hydrates and repairs lips. $13.00 Available on Amazon or at Nordstrom. City Beauty City Lips Clear-plumps and smooths wrinkles (but not really!). $35.00 on Amazon. Not a fan. Perricone Cold Plasma Plus Lip Therapy-targets vertical lip lines and lipstick feathering. $29.00 on the Perricone website. SUNSCREEN Coppertone Everytone 50-if you don't feel like spending bucks for Supergoop (which is great), then try this. It blends clear, it's free of chemicals, and there is no white residue. $9.29 at CVS. Coppertone SPF#50 Glow Shimmer-This is hard to find. It adds a subtle shimmer, which is very nice. $24.00 on Amazon. It comes in a spray or lotion. Make sure not to get the one with a gradual tanner! Classic Whip Sunscreen SPF#30-silky and fun to apply on your body. Don't use on your face though-it stings. $22.00 at Ulta. BODY, FEET, BUGS VOESH Sugar Scrub and Bubble Wash Lavender for Scalp and Body-Use this in the shower first. Then use the body cream after. $24.00 On their website or on Amazon. Wonderful exfoliant! Voesh Velvet Luxe Vegan Body & Hand Cream Lavender-super luxurious body cream! Can't get enough of it. Available on Amazon $7.00. Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel-removes unsightly dead skin. Apply. Wait an hour. Wash Off. Your feet start to peel 3-7 days after the initial application. So Cool! $25.00 at Ulta. No Bite Me Bug Repellent and After Bite Relief-all natural herbal formulas that repel ticks, mosquitos and black flies. $9.00-$35.00 available at Sallye Ander. Great for kids. Zevo unscented Insect Killer and Repellent-8 hour non sticky and odorless repellent. $18.00 on Amazon. EYES AND HAIR Physicians Formula Matte Monoi Butter Eyeshadow Palette-Always in search for a matte eyeshadow for aging eyelids. No glitter; great for sensitive and allergic eyes. Very hard to find in stores. $11.98 on Amazon. Love this brand and also love their InstaReady Full coverage Concealer SPF 30. BEST eye concealer ever! Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3-This is not a conditioner. It repairs damaged, over-colored and over-heated hair. Apply a generous amount from roots to the ends on dry, unwashed hair. Leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes. The longer, the better. Then Rinse, shampoo, and condition. It really improves your hair quality. Use regularly. $30 on Amazon. SHAPERS ASSETS BY SPANX-I have worn these smoothing tanks and camis for years. Available on the Target website for $26.00. WOMEN OCEAN-Another great shaper with removable breast pads and adjustable straps. All colors, styles, and sizes. Great boob support! $39.50 on their site. Perfect under dresses or sheer blouses. PERFUMES I like a scent that smells clean and fresh, like soap. My favorite go to scents are: AMAZING GRACE-the original scent. By Philosophy. $60.00 for 2 ounces. Available at Ulta and on Amazon. CLEAN SKIN-By Demeter. No artificial colors or preservatives. $7-$22.00 Available on Amazon PHILOSYKOS-By Diptyque. Eau de Toilette. $125.00 on their website. IRIS EAU DE PARFUM-by Prada. My favorite scent! Clean not sweet. All department stores carry it. $111.00. FAVORITE SUMMER TEE UNIGLO SLUB JERSEY CROPPED TEE-product ID# 455760. Comes in black, white, brown, grey, and lilac. Size up. Now on sale for $9.90 (almost sold out on line). FAVORITE NON-DESIGNER POCKETBOOKS Not in the market to spend thousands on your purse? LAGGO makes great bags. Many colors and styles. Lightweight. Zippers and compartments galore. Check out the Bella or Jess styles. Cream, Sand, and Ivory are on point hues for summer months. And for the fall, I'm loving the British Tan, the Brandy, and the Taupe. Ranging from $200-$455. Reasonably priced and pretty. THE SAK makes hand crocheted purses for the beach.I especially love the "120 Hobo." You can custom the colors and personalize with your initials if you desire. Perfect summer purse for travel and beach. Their bucket hats are adorable, too. $169.00. SUMMER CLOTHING Check out these two websites for FANTASTIC cardigans, dresses, sandals, foldable hats, and accessories. JENNI KAYNE TUCKERNUCK Nicer than anything you can find in the mall! I love these two brands for essentials. FAVORITE SHOW ON BROADWAY I am commanding you-DO NOT WALK, RUN TO SEE SEAN HAYES IN GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR. THIS IS A PHENOMENAL SHOW WITH ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCES I HAVE EVER SEEN. The show ends August 27th. PLEASE GO. AND TRY TO GET A SEAT IN THE 3RD-10TH ROW CENTER! I promise that you will not be disappointed. FAVORITE NEW GAME CONNECTIONS-check out this New York Times game. It's like taking the S.A.T.'s every morning! It is much different than Wordle, Waffle, Spelling Bee, Quordle, or Blossom. lots of fun and not so easy. To all the guys who have read this-I'm sorry I bored you! Enjoy the rest of July-stay cool PEACE OUT-ONE B

WORDS MATTER

Lately, I've been contemplating the value of words and why and where they matter most. Do actions really speak louder than words? Maybe; Probably; but words are equally important. All words have meaning, and because they have meaning, they have power. And because words have power, they have consequences. Words aide us in sharing our ideas, telling stories, reliving memories, and in expressing opinions and emotions. In literature, words become essential for creating a memorable plot or an unforgettable character. For me, an author who comes immediately to mind for his proficiency in his descriptive prose was Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, Beach Music, The Losing Season, etc.) In Politics, crime and racism increase with the use of inflammatory speech. Divisive language can make a crisis worse and even incite violence. In the context of teaching History, books are now being banned because they don't align with some people's opinions on race, religious values, the actual events of history, their sexual orientation, or gender identity. Shouldn't all available information be taught to help individuals develop reasoning skills and see different sides of a story? Should we, instead, have an inaccurate and cleansed view of these issues? No matter how difficult it may be to discuss an uncomfortable situation, we can't deny or ignore factual information to curious students. We must provide all the facts-we cannot censor information because we don't necessarily agree with it or understand it. In relationships, words are important in the way we deal with other people. Especially people who may hold an adversarial opinion. Words illustrate an acute understanding of the workings of human relationships. They provide what a person's motivation is and why we do what we do. Our words can clarify the feelings and thoughts of those whom we love, or with our friends, and with work associates. In a marriage, words can often cause a misunderstanding. Or should I say, the tone of what you express may sound like a criticism rather than concern. Check yourself before you speak and don't be careless with your words. Communication is key. Sometimes, with the best intentions, when we think we are expressing compassion or empathy, someone might react negatively to our words. Why does this happen? Perhaps they heard you correctly, but for various reasons, they comprehended them in a manner that was completely inconsistent with your intent. Possibly, their bias or current emotions clouded their ability to interpret; or maybe their anger/stress clouded their perspective. You cannot control other peoples perceptions of your spoken words or their reactions, but you should be aware that language is powerful. I guess you can try to clarify what you meant and explain that you were speaking with kindness. Either this will solve the issue, or the relationship will be forever damaged. You won't know until you try. It is important to recognize that positive words can encourage, heal, inspire, and make peace. Negative words can hurt, destroy, cause hate and war. We should all be more cognizant of the repercussions of our words and how we convey them. "WORDS CAN LIGHT FIRES IN THE MINDS OF MEN. WORDS CAN WRING TEARS FROM THE HARDEST HEARTS." (Patrick Rothfuss) "WORDS ARE,IN MY NOT-SO-HUMBLE OPINION, OUR MOST EXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF MAGIC, CAPABLE OF BOTH INFLICTING INJURY , AND REMEDYING IT." (J.K. ROWLING) HAPPY FOURTH-BE SAFE! PEACE OUT-ONE B

READ, WATCH, LISTEN, EAT-WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE TONIGHT?

BOOKS ON MY NIGHTSTAND HELLO BEAUTIFUL by Ann Napolitano MAD HONEY by Jennifer Finney Boylan THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese ROMANTIC COMEDY BY Curtis Sittenfeld SOMEONE ELSE'SHOES by Jo Jo Moyes WHO KNEW-Steven Katz TELEVISION IN SUMMER IS THE WORST SO ... MAMMALS-Prime. James Corden and Sally Hawkins star. Michelin Chef's discovers secret about his pregnant wife. SEX/LIFE-Netflix. A suburban wife and mother fantasizes about the life she could've had with a past boyfriend. Soft porn! THE IDOL-HBO. After a nervous breakdown, an aspiring pop star gets involved with a self help guru who is bad news. Lily-Rose Depp is GORGEOUS. AND JUST LIKE THAT-Max.Season 2 begins this Thursday. Kim Cattrall is back as Samantha for a few episodes. GLAMOROUS-Netflix on June 22. Damon Waysans Jr.'s new series about a gender non-conforming high school graduate who lands an internship with a cosmetic company. THE BEAR-Hulu. Second season begins June 22. I think this is one of the BEST SHOWS EVER. About a Chef working through personal issues. WATCH!! HEARTSTOPPER-Netflix Aug.22. Season one streaming now about a high school coming of age gay romance. SOMEWHERE BOY-HULU. A boy is isolated from the world by his father for 17 years and then finally gets to venture out on his own. THE CROWDED ROOM-Apple TV+. Amandy Seyfried and Tom Holland star. It's supposed to be amazing but the plot is not revealed in the write ups. LISTEN HELLO MOLLY-A memoir by Molly Shannon, whose life was shattered at age four when her mom, baby sister, and cousin were killed in a car that was driven by her dad, who survived. HONEY BABY MINE-By Laura Dern and her mom, Diane Ladd. A collection of personal conversations between daughter, Laura Dern, and her mom, Dianne Ladd. SMARTLESS-Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett interview all types of interesting people each week. THE ABSOLUTE BEST APP EVER. SOUND BATHS ON THE CALM APP-can't sleep? listen to the a sound bath to lull you to sleep. ON THE RADIO-Listen to Taylor Swift's Karma; The Jonas Brothers Summer Baby; and Dua Lipa's Dance the Night. EAT OSTERIA DEL CORSO-1 S.Orange Ave. South Orange. House made pasta, pizza, and entrees. Cocktails, Wine, Two Patios and a Bocce Court! PASTA RAMEN-6 S. Fullerton Ave Montclair. Chef Robbie Felice makes "wafu-Italian." Shrimp Scampi Ramen, meatball parm bao buns, cacio e pepe gyoza. Sounds amazing. Reservations very hard to snag. BYOB. THE BAR AT THE HIGHLAWN PAVILLION West Orange.-Nightly live music, iconic views of the city from the patio, great cocktails and a light bite menu. FUN! 11 South-11 S. Fullerton Montclair. Formerly Palazzo, Joseph of Teglia Pizza down the street opened this Sicilian restaurant getting great reviews. BYOB. JIANG-NAN-379 Bloomfield Ave. Michelin-recommended restaurant serving authentic Chinese. If you like Peking Duck, look no further. Reservations are a must! BYOB. BOCCONE SOUTH-471 W. MT. Pleasant Ave. Livingston. Silvio, the owner, is a great host and serves delicious food. Some outdoor dining overlooking scenic route 10! BYOB. MOE'S-535 Central Ave. New Providence. Mediterranean cuisine. Outdoor dining and a Bar. People love it-haven't tried it yet. The MADDOX AND MASUKO-193 Glen Ridge Ave. Montclair. In the former Crosby space, there is now Steak, Sushi, and contemporary American Cuisine all in one spot. New and Happening. MEZZA-277 Eisenhower Parkway Livingston. Good Mediterranean. BYOB. TWISTED-18 E. MT. Pleasant Ave. Livingston. New ice cream spot with outdoor seating. An amazing menu of parfaits, cones, and specialty injected inventions. Always room for ice cream! And of course, my usual stand bys: Julios-West Orange. Primavera-West Orange. Davina-Caldwell. Kim's Sushi-West Orange. Mamma Dags-West Orange. La Rocca Osteria-Montclair. Nero's-Livingston. La Foccacia-Summit. Fiorino-Summit. Star Tavern-Orange. Angelonis-Caldwell. Belmont Tavern-Belleville. Miele's-Verona. Zi Zia Trattoria-Bloomfield. Best Chicken Salad-Oscar's, Millburn. Best Diet tuna and Best egg Salad-Bagels-4-U in Short Hills. Best Apple Pie-Ritz Diner, Livingston. Best Bread-Liv Bakery, Millburn. Best Grocery-Uncle Giuseppes, Morris Plains. Buy their fresh pulled mozzarella. Best Subs-Tony Boys, Livingston. Best sandwiches-Millburn Deli, Millburn. Best Flagels-Bagels-4-U in Short Hills. Best Burger-Serenade (Bar Menu) in Chatham. Best Hot Dog-Rutt's Hut. Clifton. Best Cole Slaw-Nana's Livingston. Best Diner-Tops East Newark. Best Bakeries-Sorrentos in East Hanover. Natales in Summit. ENJOY THE REST OF JUNE! PEACE OUT-ONE B