This weekend I attended a Bar Mitzvah – actually it was a double Bar Mitzvah – brothers who are only a year apart.  And by the way, they did a great job!  This was in the local Synagogue, which is orthodox meaning more traditional as opposed to having been in the Temple, which is reformed meaning less traditional.  (I guess that’s how it’s best described.)  I am always impressed by the many symbolic traditions as I am somewhat of a ritualist myself.  I like all the pomp & circumstance.  If you ever get the chance to attend an orthodox Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, which would be for a girl, by all means… go - you’ll be amazed.  It might even inspire you to study your own Bible even more as it has me!

Yesterday was the second anniversary of my mother-in-law’s death.  Unlike many people, I had a good relationship with my mother-in-law.  I was her Power of Attorney during her illness, thru to her death – then Executor of her estate.  I miss her.

Last night, I attended a gala (fundraiser) downtown at the historic Hippodrome (Theatre).  There was fine dining and live entertainment by Betty Buckley – she was superb!  She not only sang songs from every Broadway & London musical she was in, she told stories about them – it was most entertaining – my favorites were her last song, Memories, and her encore, Send in The Clowns.  Boy, can that woman sing!  She belted it out!  She dedicated the encore to our Mayor who had requested Send in The Clowns.  (Ms. Buckley took requests in writing prior to the show – during our dinner.)  It was so great that she saved the Mayor’s request for the encore, because it was her & her husband’s 50th wedding anniversary!  (So if you see Virginia and/or Les, wish ‘em a happy belated 50th!)

Isn’t it interesting how we say ‘blended families’ rather than ‘mixed families’?!  It seems to me that when we mix something (like families), then we have to really shake things up… but when we blend something (like families), then it’s smooth – it does take time, and the end result is the same, but to blend surely seems a lot softer, huh?!  In my career, I’ve observed all kinds of families – I’d like to think I’ve seen it all – sooo many different family dynamics…  I see people at their worst and I see people at their best…  I can tell ya; to blend is better than to mix, so if you find yourself in a situation where two familes are coming together, take it slowly, and blend baby – blend!