Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
American Desperado by Evan Wright and Jon Roberts
Graft is more prevalent than I ever imagined. It reaches everywhere. People with the most polished images are some of the most crooked. Judges, police chiefs, corporate chieftains are some of the worst. Sex, money and drugs control just about everything.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
When we were talking the other night about hitting a volley you got me thinking.
You said, "I have trouble seeing the ball and that is why I move back to give me more time to pick it up and hit a solid well placed shot."
I said, "By moving back you are giving up an advantage that you have over the other team. Actually you give up three advantages... 1) The closer you are to the net the more horizontal angles you have to hit the ball and the more court your opponants have to cover. 2) You also get more vertical angles which results in fewer balls going into the net and fewer shots that you have to hit at your feet. 3) By coming to the net you take time away from your opponant allowing you to exploit when they get out of position.
You told me that you had trouble seeing the ball. That got me thinking.
Is the sun a factor? Do you have a visual problem? Is it a problem with concentration and anticipation?
When I was nine and my brother was six my Dad would take us to the ball field and hit us grounders with a hardball. Catching grounders comming off the uneven surface of the playing field makes hittiing volleys with a tennis ball a piece of cake. When we missed it was not unusual to get hit in the face with the hardball. If I threw the ball softly back to my Dad ("Like a girl,") he would grab the ball and throw it back to me as hard as he could. I have a dead upper incisor tooth which which I attribute to a blow from one of Dad's throws or grounders.
Why do I tell you this? If you wear protective eye gear your physical risk on the tennis court is minimal. Some of the best tennis instructors start instruction on volleying by having the players catch a tennis ball bare handed. Whether with a hand, a mitt or a racket the hand-eye connection lines up the the balls trajectory and makes the catch/volley. (Fast balls hit at you need to be caught/vollied with a backhand.) Assume that every shot is going to be hit at you. Be still when your opponant hits the ball. Study his delivery like an on deck batter observes a pitcher on the mound. Never allow your heals to hit the ground. Keep the two butts down... The racket handle and your ass. Line the ball up with your racket and use your lower body to improve your position and give some momentum to your shot without sacrificing the lock that you have on the ball... don't wave the racket but volley with your feet!
By playing against different players you get to decode their deliveries and learn to anticipate the hard balls they will give you at the net. Playing the same people over and over again is like a batter hitting the same two or three pitchers. League play will improve your game. You want to play different players. You learn to react to their strengths and from their mistakes as well. Last year you did get to play a few matches with John and Gary which is more than you will get by not being on the team this year.
I really like playing tennis with you, Mike and I was not bullshitting when I told you that banging the hell out of the ball with you on Wednesdays is my favorite tennis. You are the only one I know who could hang in there with me in the heat. You are getting better and since tennis is a big part of your life it only makes sense to take positive/objective steps that will make your game better.
I hope that I don't sound like a pretentious asshole with this note. Feel free to tell me if I do.
Your friend,
Stuart
Stuart
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman
Stuart
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Israel's Predicament - The Wall Street Journal.
Israel's Predicament
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904265504576566431045060822.html
The Wall Street Journal for iPad provides a new way to experience the Journal's award winning coverage, blending the best of print and online. Special features include:
- "Now" Issue featuring updated coverage throughout the day, with top article picks from Journal editors
- Market Data including quote search and customizable Watchlist
- Videos and slideshows published with free articles
Click or tap the link below to download The Wall Street Journal from the Apple iTunes App Store.
Stuart
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Triple Agent by Joby Warrick
Stuart
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Dear Janice,
Things are getting pretty interesting up in Pittsburgh. Sandy told me about Jake's parenthood. I think about him often. After Sandy told me the news I remembered a time about 15 years ago when we were waiting in Washington for a tour of the White House. It was a sunny day. Ted was at his conference/course and you and the kids were with us while we waited. Jake was having trouble with the long wait and was bouncing around. We were doing your best to entertain him. Finally he crashed and burned. He banged himself up and began to wail. Many a good mother would have scolded and told him that he got what he deserved. You, instead, picked him up, cradled and comforted him. You were/are a special mother, Janice.
I know that now that Jake is a father he can not help but remember all the love that he received from you and Ted. It is amazing that he was able to keep it from you for so long. 14 months... wow! If we can believe what he says conception probably occurred shortly after he returned from Outward Bound and that childbirth occurred around the time he turned 18.
I hope that you guys are able to sell your house on Longue Vue soon. When do you plan to move to the townhouse? Sandy showed me the photos of your place. I am sure that it will be a relief not to have to maintain the big house with the big stairway to the bedroom. I will miss your backyard just like I missed your acreage in Newcastle. I hope that there will be enough room for us to stay with you when we come visit.
Today I hit singles with my friend Mike for about an hour and a half. We beat each other up and literally crawl off the court. One day I will get enough confidence in my forehand to swing through in a match. When I checked the cell phone after playing I saw that there was a message for me from Arden Court. I held my breath. Dad fell again and the Hope Hospice nurse was concerned about a rash on the left side of his face. I changed my shirt and drove over there. Lisa, the nurse on duty saw me and said that she noticed that Dad's gait had changed and that it was her opinion that it was the progression of his disease and not medication related. The rash is likely a skin infection resulting from one of the scabs on his face. I suggested to the nurse that they prescribe an antibiotic. Dad was restless. He was sitting in the dining area when I arrived. His head was drooped and he would not make eye contact with me or the caregivers. Fortunately, Holly was there. Together we tried to comfort Dad while he repeatedly sat down and got up and tried to lift the table and then the counter top. He is so unstable. It is more likely to fall than remain upright. I gave him my hands and we stood up in the hallway and together we shuffeled back toward his room. When we got to his room Holly was called away to help with Roger. Roger is a resident at Arden Court who has been there for only 18 months. When he first arrived it was hard to tell that he had any deficit but now it is obvious. He has aged two decades in two years.
I told Holly that I could handle Dad while she helped the other aide with Roger. Dad did not want to go into his room for some reason so we just held onto each other in the hallway swaying from one side to the other as if we were dancing. He would alternate pushing and pulling, leaning forward and back and then from one side to the other. All I cared about was not crashing. After dancing for about two numbers Dad was ready to enter his room. We stood together holding each other for a few minutes and then finally he settled on the edge of his bed. He did not want to lay down at first so I just stood there holding on to him. He leaned on my arm while I surveyed the photos that are mounted on his wall. No photos of Mom. You and Dad smiling together outside of the townhouse. You and me at Callaway. Joshua and some big fish. Me in front of the house on Lakeshore Drive. Dad holding court on the cruise ship with Jason the clown, serious Josh and Jake staring off into space. I just transported myself into those places while Dad leaned on my arm and tried to mumble something that I could not understand. When I was able to guide Dad to a semi-secure spot on his bed I sat in the armchair next to him. A few minutes later Holly returned and together we gently got him to lie down. We put the bumper mattress next to his bed and he closed his eyes. Holly is so sweet. She remembered how delighted Sandy and I were a few days ago when we visited and he kissed Sandy and looked at me and said "HiYa son!"
I shipped my bike to Portland, Maine. In two weeks I am going to fly up and join a reunion of our Crossroads Crosscountry riders. Sandy is going to stay in Fort Myers, nurse her leg/back and keep an eye on Dad while I bike back to Daytona, Fl. I have not told Mom yet. I am not looking forward to telling her. It is just something that I need to do.
I love you guys. We had a great time together in Alaska and California. We did a great job putting together the photo books for Mom. I got to relive the whole experience last week when I visited her. I miss Abby. Ted... keep a sharp eye out for the "Stuarts" sharing the road with you.
Love,
Stuart
Stuart
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sarah's Key by Tatiana Rosnay
The novel of the Jewish Roundup in Paris France during WWII.
Over 4000 children were herded into the Veladrome de Hiver before they were sent to concentration camps.
50 years later then French President Jacque Chirac made a speech reminding the French of "the black hours that will stain our (French) history.
Stuart
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sarah Vowell... Assassination Vacation
Stuart
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
CTSH
From SEC q-10 Document signed August 4, 2011
From Cash Flow Statements (Financing)
Page 47 Number of Shares Repurchased... 1,300,000 between April 1 and June 30, 2011
Repurchases of common stock
(192,130 ) (4,901 )
in thousands of dollars first six months of 2011 and first six months of 2010 on page 3 Diluted earnings per share
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Diluted
June 2011 June 2010
311,477,000 307,576,000
Page 1
What I want to know is how can a company repurchase 1,300,000 shares using over $192,000,000.00 in cash flow and still have an 4,000,000 share increase in number of shares outstanding.
Stuart Levy
Bigstu52@gmail.com
Investor Shareholder.
Stuart
Fwd: To Ace His Workout, Courier Stays on the Court - The Wall Street Journal.
Stuart
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Date: August 30, 2011 7:18:15 AM EDT
To: Stuart Don Levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Subject: To Ace His Workout, Courier Stays on the Court - The Wall Street Journal.
To Ace His Workout, Courier Stays on the Court
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904787404576530331068884092.html
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sons and Parents.
How important is the opinion of ones parents to a child's behaviour after the child has reached maturity?
After a child has reached maturity how important are the opinions of his or her parents in influencing subsequent behavior.
In my case the answer would be significantly. Since I was an infant it has always been a primary goal to seek parental approval. Parental approval and disapproval in the form of discipline were and still are the cornerstone of my psychological well being.
To this day I still feel that it is my responsability to act in a manner that casts our family in good light politically, strong physically and financially.
My parents, to their credit allowed me to exercise my responsabilty early and often.
As in the Scout Oath, I keep myself physicaly strong, mentally awake and morally straight!
In the past 4 years I have been called upon in several occasions to step up for the family. Decisions made have been decisive. critical and many would say beyond the call of duty. Decisions to practice and then to stop practice in Florida have allowed me to intervene in crisises that could have easily blown up. My motivations stem from what my mother and father taught me, that is to be responsable and make them proud. I can't make my father proud any more, he hardly recongizes me. I have to try to remember what would make him proud of me and act upon the remembrance.
Mom, there is an advertisement on TV for an opthamologist about my age in Fort Myers. He puts his mother and his mother-in-law on to say how proud they are of the way he treats his patients. I like the ad. It makes me warm inside. I need that warmth. "You're a good boy, Stuart." are words that have been and always will be the holy grail for me. When you told me, "You are a good boy, Stuart." when we bought our first dog "Snowball" my dog allergies nearly went away.
When outcomes are less than optimal, you know that I am the first to blame myself... "rake myself over the coals." I was nauseus when I saw that we were flying out on different days. But It was even more painful to hear you quickly conclude that it was all my fault and that the travel agent was not
at all responsible for sending you and I on the same flight on two consequetive days without considering the circumstances. (The travel agent knew that I was traveling out early and we were coming back together. She knew my intent was to come right home after the cruise as was Janice's who also went out three days early. She even helped arrange for us to be with you when you arrived in San Francisco.) But that is not the important point here. What is important is that I want you to know that I still need to feel your love behind me especially now with Dad next to gone.
Even though you are in your 80th year you still have a job and that job is to make me hear when I am a good boy even though I'll be 60 soon. Why do we live so long? The answer might be for the elders to give wise nods and love to guide the more physically capable youth. I love you, Mom.
Stuart
Stuart
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Florida Bar
Your mom and I will support you in your efforts to be sworn in as a member of the Florida Bar. I know that it will not be easy. The bad mark on your record is a hurdle that was unexpected to you.
There are two ways to view your situation. A... the system sucks and I am getting the short end of the stick. B... I took for granted my favorable situation, behaved foolishly and now I have been backed into the corner as a result.
I think that you should go into a damage control mode. By that I mean you don't want to contaminate your assets and good will by voluntarily acknowledging that you had to be hospitalized after abusing illicit drugs. I don't think that you should tell Grossman or the Kushners (Jeff and Roberta would do anything they could for you but we just don't feel comfortable sharing your lowest moments with them.) Make some phone calls and
hire the attorney. Follow his advice. I would collect all the data that the Florida Bar has and bring it with you to an appointment with the attorney.
Stuart
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Dear Gail and Randy,
Sandy and I were both saddened when we heard of your diagnosis. Sandy received this book when she walked with a group of women on her tennis team in a "Susan G. Komen For The Cure" event. We hope that it helps you.
We will be thinking of you as you tough this thing out. If you ever need a little emotional boost or diversion we can bring "Service Dog" Bailey (Black Standard Poodle, vest and all) to lift your spirits. Just call.
Love,
Stuart 770-5544
Sandy 822-5762
Stuart
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Fwd: Danielle... I love you... I did not send this... But this is a toned down version of how I feel right now. I had some real pricks that held power over me during my professional development. If you have to acknowledge your relationship with Mr Farbstein when applying for future employment, do you think that this will help? The more I think of it ... when asked about this employment you can just respond... "It just did not work out." Any prospective employer could look at his record and perhaps view your departure as a positive.
Stuart
Begin forwarded message:
From: Danielle Levy <danimlevy@gmail.com>
Date: July 19, 2011 10:49:42 PM EDT
To: Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Danielle... I love you... I did not send this... But this is a toned down version of how I feel right now. I had some real pricks that held power over me during my professional development. If you have to acknowledge your relationship with Mr Farbstein when applying for future employment, do you think that this will help? The more I think of it ... when asked about this employment you can just respond... "It just did not work out." Any prospective employer could look at his record and perhaps view your departure as a positive.
Thank you so much. I can't express to you how thankful and lucky I am to have such grounded and supportive parents. Your email was very heartfelt but I agree that it's not appropriate or worth sending to Farbstein. He wouldn't receive it how you intend. I don't want him to have a negative impact on anyone else that I care about.
I sent out my resume to two other places this afternoon and have two specific attorneys I am going to contact tomorrow.
Part of me is embarrassed and ashamed that I couldn't make it work out. No one wanted it more than I did. Having worked with Keith and other attorneys I know that there are better mentors out there. I want to go back to the days of loving my professional field.
Tonight I'm going to enjoy the first real night's sleep in a long while. Look forward to talking to you tomorrow about my progress.
Love you,
Danielle
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 19, 2011, at 10:11 PM, Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com> wrote:Danielle... I love you... I did not send this... But this is a toned down version of how I feel right now. I had some real pricks that held power over me during my professional development. If you have to acknowledge your relationship with Mr Farbstein when applying for future employment, do you think that this will help? The more I think of it ... when asked about this employment you can just respond... "It just did not work out." Any prospective employer could look at his record and perhaps view your departure as a positive.Love,DadDear Mr Farbstein,Even though we have never met, we share one thing in common. Both of us are fathers of young women who worked in your law firm.I want you to know that throughout my daughter's brief employment with you, I encouraged her to work hard and have a tough skin. I told her that she would have much to learn from an experienced attorney who kept the lights on for 25 years. When she ventilated her frustrations to me, I told her that it was good training from an attorney whose tactic is to frustrate the opposition. Please confirm to me that I was not wrong.It would be very sad if Danielle's first legal experience out of law school should end on a bad note. As an OBGYN for 29 years in private practice I had the privledge of assisting in the development of scores of young women, nurses and doctors. Even though I am retired now, I am so happy to bump into one of the young professionals that I helped develop. Danielle will become an outstanding attorney. Her employment in your law firm, while short lived, has been an important part of her professional developement. As a fellow father of a young attorney I ask you to consider her career, future and self esteem.Danielle worked hard for you. Please reassure her and me that you won't undermine her efforts to become the outstanding attorney that we both know she can be.Sincerely,Stuart Don Levy MDStuart
Danielle... I love you... I did not send this... But this is a toned down version of how I feel right now. I had some real pricks that held power over me during my professional development. If you have to acknowledge your relationship with Mr Farbstein when applying for future employment, do you think that this will help? The more I think of it ... when asked about this employment you can just respond... "It just did not work out." Any prospective employer could look at his record and perhaps view your departure as a positive.
Love,
Dad
Dear Mr Farbstein,
Even though we have never met, we share one thing in common. Both of us are fathers of young women who worked in your law firm.
I want you to know that throughout my daughter's brief employment with you, I encouraged her to work hard and have a tough skin. I told her that she would have much to learn from an experienced attorney who kept the lights on for 25 years. When she ventilated her frustrations to me, I told her that it was good training from an attorney whose tactic is to frustrate the opposition. Please confirm to me that I was not wrong.
It would be very sad if Danielle's first legal experience out of law school should end on a bad note. As an OBGYN for 29 years in private practice I had the privledge of assisting in the development of scores of young women, nurses and doctors. Even though I am retired now, I am so happy to bump into one of the young professionals that I helped develop. Danielle will become an outstanding attorney. Her employment in your law firm, while short lived, has been an important part of her professional developement. As a fellow father of a young attorney I ask you to consider her career, future and self esteem.
Danielle worked hard for you. Please reassure her and me that you won't undermine her efforts to become the outstanding attorney that we both know she can be.
Sincerely,
Stuart Don Levy MD
Stuart
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Fwd: Ancestry
Stuart
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Drslevy@comcast.net" <drslevy@comcast.net>
Date: July 16, 2011 5:14:25 AM EDT
To: Danielle Levy <danimlevy@gmail.com>
Subject: Ancestry
Dear Danielle,
Your mom and I were so happy that you and Josh were able to get together on his birthday. From the photo that Steven e-mailed us it looks like you were having a good time.
Yesterday Mom and I took Bailey to the dog resort and drove to Sarasota to visit with Grandma Marilyn. After dinner instead opf driving right back to Fort Myers like we usually do we went up to her apartment and looked at her wedding photo album containing photographs take almost 61 year ago. Mom wanted to see the photos to give her ideas for the wedding and to have make a photo-display table at Josh's wedding.
As we thumbed through the album old memories and stories began to surface.
Grandma was only 18 when she got married to Grampa, and there is a treasure of people present at the wedding in the reception photos. With the photos come the stories and memories. The time passed by quickly while Mom/Grandma discussed family history with us. We nearly missed the cutoff time to pick Bailey up at the dog resort. I encouraged Grandma to label the photos and to make a genealogy tree. She was receptive to the idea. I thought that you would be interested in the family history. Papa's story and the relationship he had with his mother and step-father is the stuff of which movies are made.
I would encourage you to consider visiting your Grandma, look at her albums, to ask questions and hear the stories, and perhaps help her develop an ancestry chart. You can share your work with Josh (a special kind of wedding present for him and something that you could feel very proud of many years from now.)
No pressure from me. It is a window of opportunity that is open now but may not be there for long. I know how you soak up and mentally archive information about the family and I could not help but think of the times when I told you stories of my childhood to help you fall asleep.
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Joshua Graduates Air Traffic Control School
Amanda, Sandy and Stuart in attendance.
Commencement address by the director of air traffic control at the Fort Lauderdale Tower.
Dinner with Steve and Danielle at Bonfish Grill to follow.
Bush Florida Open 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Fwd: Dad having good day!
Stuart
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stuart Levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Date: July 7, 2011 12:51:26 PM EDT
To: Janice Mirra <mirra7@comcast.net>
Subject: Dad having good day!
You never know.
Love,
Stuart
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Tennis pearls learned from Terri See 4/19/11
Use your legs to create space and avoid crowding yourself when hitting the ball.
You need more space to hit high balls
Hit the ball out front
Follow Through and catch the racket
Load the weight on the right leg
Avoid taking a big backswing on deep balls
Rotate the torso.
Anticipate
Ball watch
Constant feet
Racket back
Out in front
Follow through
Recover and repeat
Stuart
Hell on Two Wheels by Amy Snyder
The dangerous pursuit of near impossible goals gives life meaning to some.
Tolerance to pain gives heightened pleasure to some.
Stuart
In the garden of beasts by Eric Larson
Cordell Hull Secretary of State for Franklin Roosevelt
Boycott of German goods might decrease Germany's incentive to pay the banks it's debt and might increase the persecution of the German Jews.
Ron Chernow. "The Warburgs"
Unemployment and the Depression made it difficult for the Jews to immigrate to the United States.
LPC = "Likely to become a public charge."
Carr and Phillips ... Under-secretaries of state and anti-semites.
Dachau ... Originally held enemies of the state for protective custody.
Reminds me of Guantanemo Bay and the Patriot Act inacted after 9/11.
Christopher Isherwood "Berlin Stories" and "Goodbye to Berlin"
Stuart
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
William Dodd was the American Ambassador to Germany appointed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. This was the year that Hitler consolidated power over Germany. Dodd, a historian by trade, was not your typical American diplomat. He was a man of modest means and could not entertain at the level of most diplomats.
The anti-semetic superiors in the Department of State were not very sympathetic to the prescient observations of Dodd. The Nazis tried to muzzle Dodd and American Freedom of Expression in the United States.
It is amazing that the Germans could be lead down the path of totalitarianism. Fear, humiliation after defeat in WWII as well rising employment all played a role in German acceptance of Nazi terrorism.
Stuart
Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
Psychological Pressure can drive people to suicide.
Few can stand up to authority.
Might should not, but often does make right.
Military training can extinguish compassion, original thinking and creativity.
Military authority can be abusive.
Economic and social standing often overrides friendship.
Stuart
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Rebecca Skloot.com
369 pages finished
Themes
Who owns our genetic information?
Who owns and controls tissue specimens taken from our bodies for clinical and commercial purposes?
Should power be given to the donor, the researcher, or an institution?
If donors loose control over use of specimens are they entitled to privacy?
Stuart
Friday, July 1, 2011
Dear Danielle,
Sorry about F***stein. He is a SHPOS (sub-human piece of sh*t) as I used to mentally refer to the unsavory characters that I had to deal with professionally. Having said that you need to get what you need while preparing for his funeral. I believe that he is abusive because his predatory personality detects your sensitivity to his verbal assaults. He is a bully. I can't imagine how difficult it is to be the subject of his unprofessional conduct.
Bruce Stanley, one of my defense attorneys once told me to think of my words at deposition like $10.00 bills. You want to say as few as possible in response to the planttiff attorney's questions. Similarly, in your case there is no need to respond to any personal questions or statements except with a smile, a nod or a shrug. Practice this in front of the mirror. You have the high ground and really don't need to respond at all to any of his inappropriate remarks. ( You don't need to give him any $10.00 bills. You don't have to get in the gutter with him. You don't need to give fuel to his perverted fire.) If it makes you feel better keep a log of any of his actions that make you feel uncomfortable.
Remember what it is that you want to get out of the relationship. On the plus side is money and experience and proximity to your boyfriend. On the minus side is the psychological trauma that you are having difficulty tolerating. Also, this guy might inflict professional wounds in the future if you have to reference him. But, you can exploit the opportunities afforded by exposure to the Fort Lauderdale legal community once you are sworn in. A part of me wants you to be able to be able to exploit him unemotionally, get what you need, keep your eye on the prize, and like Machievlelli's Prince dispose of him when it suits you. The other part of me recognizes this man as a predator that might best be avoided.
You make the call. We support you.
We will see you Sunday.
Love,
Dad
Stuart
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Bank of Montreal Canadian Government Bond ETF ZFM:CA
Could not find the distribution per share.
Do not know the tax implications of dividends.
http://www.etfs.bmo.com/controller/image?image=ANNUAL_2010_FS_ZFM〈=en
Stuart
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Fwd: Enjoy this recipe from BigOven...
Stuart
Begin forwarded message:
From: Carol Downing <caroldowning68@earthlink.net>
Date: June 26, 2011 5:22:07 PM EDT
To: Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Enjoy this recipe from BigOven...
Thanks for the recipe, it looks delicious. My recipe only called for 1/2 cup of wine........yours was far more generous! We still enjoyed it and with a big crusty loaf of sourdough. You know how you feel about brussel sprouts? That's the way I feel about fennel and I've tried very hard to like it. I always substitute green pepper.
Here is my other favorite salmon recipe which we are having tonight. I always use a Webber with regular charcoal (not, God forbid, match light). I love the charcoal flavor.
Grilled Citrus Salmon, from "The Junior League Celebration Cookbook" A treasury of the 400 most requested recipes from Junior League Cookbooks.
1 1/2 TB fresh lemon juice
2 TB olive oil
1 TB butter
1 TB Dijon mustard
4 cloves garlic
2 dashes cayenne pepper
2 dashes salt
1 tsp dried basil (I'm a firm believer in fresh herbs, having tried this with both - no difference)
1 tsp dried dill
3 tsp capers (I always use more)
3 lbs salmon
In a small saute pan over medium heat, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, butter, mustard, garlic, red pepper, salt, basil, dill and capers. While stirring, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
Place salmon fillets skin side down on a piece of heavy-duty foil with edges folded up, to make a pan. Pour sauce evenly over fish.
Prepare a medium hot charcoal fire. Gently place the "foil pan" on the grill and close the lid. Barbecue over medium hot coals for 10-12 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets. The fish will be flaky and light pink in color when cooked.
From "Portlands Palate", Portland, Oregon
Enjoy! Best to you, Sandy and Bailey..........Carol
On Jun 25, 2011, at 3:51 PM, Stuart levy wrote:Was going to make this tonight but Publix did not have the fennel bulb.Jeff and Roberta took us to this hole in the wall Italian restaurant in North Fort Myers. We had this heavyset 60ish blond waitress who came from the Bronx. When we asked her for pinot noir she looked at me like I was from another planet and stated, "This not that kind of fancy restaurant but we have some Cabernet." A few minutes later when the salads came out Sandy gave her the same look and tone and asked, "Is this the kind of restaurant that has napkins?" We always crack up with Jeff and Roberta.StuRecipe: Cioppino (seafood Stew)http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/170248/cioppino-seafood-stewCiopinno is a fish/seafood stew deriving from Italy and is usually prepared from the catch of the day, which explains the many regional versions. While touring Italy my then nine year old son couldn't get enough of this dish. Although he ordered it at least once a day, every restaurant served it a little differently in terms of sauce and seafood/fish. This only made it more appealing to him! It's never the same twice so go ahead and make the base and add any fish/seafood you like according to your local market. Serve with thick crusty bread for dipping and tiramisu for dessert!Ingredients:3 tablespoons olive oil1 large fennel bulb thinly sliced & diced1 Onion chopped3 large shallots chopped2 teaspoons salt4 large garlic cloves finely chopped3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes (optional)1/4 cup Tomato paste2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes in juice (with italian seasonings)1 1/2 cups Dry white wine5 cups fish stock (vegetable or chicken can be substituted)1 Bay leaf1 pound clams scrubbed1/2 pound mussels scrubbed, debearded1 pound uncooked large shrimp peeled and deveined1 1/2 assorted firm-fleshed fish fillets cut into 2-inch chunks1 pound bay scallopsPreparation:Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the fennel, onion, shallots, and salt and saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and saute 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Add tomatoes with their juices, wine, fish stock and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend, about 30 minutes.Add the clams and mussels to the cooking liquid. Cover and cook until the clams and mussels begin to open, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp, scallops and fish. Simmer gently until the fish and shrimp are just cooked through, and the clams are completely open, stirring gently, about 5 minutes longer (discard any clams and mussels that do not open). Remove bay leaf.Season the soup, to taste, with more salt and red pepper flakes.Ladle into bowls using a slotted spoon and then ladel just enough juice on top for dipping. Serve with thick home-made crusty bread for dipping.Notes from Laura:Don't be afraid to substitute. Try orange roughy, talapia, crab legs, etc....170,000+ Recipes at BigOven.comhttp://bigoven.comStuart
Sunday, June 26, 2011
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
William Dodd was the American Ambassador to Germany appointed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. This was the year that Hitler consolidated power over Germany. Dodd, a historian by trade, was not your typical American diplomat. He was a man of modest means and could not entertain at the level of most diplomats.
The anti-semetic superiors in the Department of State were not very sympathetic to the prescient observations of Dodd. The Nazis tried to muzzle Dodd and American Freedom of Expression in the United States.
It is amazing that the Germans could be lead down the path of totalitarianism. Fear, humiliation after defeat in WWII as well rising employment all played a role in German acceptance of Nazi terrorism.
Stuart
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Fwd: Our recent visit to Smyrna, DE
Stuart Don Levy
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Date: June 23, 2011 8:57:52 PM EDT
To: David Peirson <D.peirson@att.net>
Subject: Our recent visit to Smyrna, DE
Dear Barbara and Dave,
We want to thank you for your hospitality. We had a great time with you guys, as always. We drove straight home after leaving you and checked on my father. He bounced back after his spell of heat exhaustion/dehydration. He recognized us when we visited him. He smiled and gave us hugs and talked with my sister, Janice after we got her on the phone. He then asked Sandy if he could wear her blouse.
I am so happy that I drove the car to Maine and visited with family and friends along the way.
You should be proud of the beautiful home that you built in a beautiful part of the country. I love the way that you planted the evergreen trees in a perfect line to outline the boundary of the property 20 years ago. Your place shows all the hard work that you put in to make it so perfect. My father's family owned a 200 acre farm about 100 miles north of New York City. It was my Dad's plan to raise us on that farm. He was actually remodeling a house on the property for us to live when he was given an opportunity in business that he could not pass up. I hope that you sell it for the price you ask but if you don't I would not mind visiting again. Neither would Bailey. She had a blast. She has had no aftereffects from her forays into your fields.
I biked out to the end of Captiva this morning. It took me two hours of peddling to get there and it was 11 o'clock. I made it back to the house by 1:30, changed into my tennis clothes, ate a banana and drove to The Landings to play with the guys. I had no legs. Yesterday the kids were using the ball machine at tennis camp which forced Mike and I to play singles. It was very hot. Mike and I volunteered to help Rick clean courts for the Busch/Florida open.
Sandy and Janice want to go on a dogsled excursion when we cruise to Alaska next month.
I want to go salmon fishing, make a killing and ship it back home like we did 10 years ago.
I cooked some wild Sockeye Salmon using a recipe that Carol Downing gave me last week. I steamed the vegetables and then seasoned and cut up the salmon and baked it all together. I'll make it for you when you get back to Fort Myers.
Enjoy the summer and let me know how you make out with the arrhythmia, the fleconide and the hospital parking lot. Tell your tennis buds that I enjoyed playing with them only next time we won't spot them the first five games.
Stuart
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Fwd: Thoughts from Your Father
Stuart Don Levy
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Date: June 22, 2011 7:01:40 AM EDT
To: Danielle Levy <danimlevy@gmail.com>
Subject: Thoughts from Your Father
We were in Delaware, eating Mexican Food with our friends the Peirsons when the phone rang from Arden Court informing me that Dad got overheated and became unresponsive. He has a habit of sitting out in the courtyard, in the heat for long periods of time unsupervised. They were able to revive him with water. Mom and I cut short our vacation and left the next day for home. When we got home we found him standing up in his room in his pajamas, facing the door. He smiled when he saw us and immediately gave your Mom a big hug. He asked for some toothpaste and while we waited for the aide to get it for him we joked with him and got a few smiles. This is the first time Dad has smiled or looked us in the eye in about two months.
I took a picture of Dad hugging Sandy and emailed it to Janice. Then we let him speak to Janice on the phone. Mom was crying.
Mom told me that Mr Farbstein liked the photos that I had framed. At first I thought that he liked the sunset in Costa Rica and then she gave me her weird, critical look and reminded me of the doctor/lawyer/teacher/mentor combo. I am glad you put that in your office. The sunset photo might be useful to help you calm down when your reactions, nerves, and emotions are overwhelming.
I am going to get our mail that was held in the post office and look carefully for anything sent to you from the Florida Bar. I will let you know what find or not find. In any case it might make sense for you to get a Post Office Box to receive your mail until your residence issues solidify.
I know that it must be so frustrating to hear about your classmates being sworn in while your license remains in limbo. I am glad that you sent the certified letter to the Florida Bar. If you can't get a satisfactory response it might be wise to collect all your correspondence with them (including the letter written to them from Dr. Gottleib) and consult with an attorney (not Farbstein) on the best strategy to get you over the hump.
I am sad that you are having issues with Steve. We are grateful that he was able to help you transition out of your difficult situation in Chicago, but according to what I hear from Mom, things are almost continuously strained. It sounds like you need some space to sort things out, not leases and promises that force you together. Take advantage of your geographical proximity to Amanda and Josh. If and when they move out of the area you will wish that you had spent more time with them. They are family and a source of love and stability when other parts of your life get unsettled.
Similarly, Mr Farbstein is helping you transition into private practice. Think objectively about what you are getting from the relationship... money, experience, exposure in your field. Try to deflect his quirky statements and behaviors; then redouble your efforts to secure your credentials so that you can look forward to applying your talents in a setting that better suits you.
Love,
Dad
Fwd: Thank-you for Taking Care of Us
Stuart Don Levy
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stuart levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Date: June 18, 2011 11:37:52 PM EDT
To: "ndhstry9@earthlink.net" <ndhstry9@earthlink.net>
Subject: Thank-you for Taking Care of Us
We enjoyed you sharing your rich New Hampshire life with us. We made it safely to the Peirson's in Smyrna, Delaware. Dave has a tennis match set up for me to meet his Delaware buddies tomorrow. We will have to take a rain check on the roasted Brussels sprouts.
I like the idea of sharing a house on Nantucket with close friends and family. When you get back to Florida we will have you guys over with some of the other River Rats and explore it further.
I am sorry that our stay was so short and that we did not get to hike like you had planned.
We will have to return if only have some more of that caramel soft serve ice-cream.
Sandy and Bailey are exhausted even though I did all the driving. We gave NYC a wide birth and avoided very heavy traffic... Tappenzee Bridge to Garden State parkway to New Jersey Turnpike did the trick.
September 22 will arrive Portsmouth, NH from Portland, ME and September 23 will ride from Portsmouth to Worcester, Ma, so if you are interested in seeing some serious road bikers doing 80 to 100 miles each day on there way to Daytona you are welcome to come out of the mountains and visit either at the end of the day stage or at one of the rest stops.
I hope that your allergies improve, Ned. I was wondering if you have ever tried singulair which is a member of a newly discovered group fo anti-inflammatory medications that you might ask your doctor about. I take vistaril for my allergies at nighttime. This is not habit forming and does help me sleep.
I can' find that Yukon gold mining company you asked me to look at. Is the symbol aux?
Stuart
Saturday, June 11, 2011
All Atwitter With Investment Tips - Barron's
All Atwitter With Investment Tips
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424053111903588204576369740402005746.html
Barron's iPad Edition delivers:
- Full articles from the latest edition of Barron's magazine every week
- Intraday market analysis and commentary from Barrons.com every weekday
- Market data and tools, like quote search and customizable watchlists
Visit the Apple iTunes App Store for a free download.
Click or tap the link below to download Barron's from the Apple iTunes App Store.
Stuart Don Levy
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Holding Hands With Dad
I went to see Dad yesterday. It is hard to see him. We are leaving town to visit Janice and rendezvous with our future in-laws. I wanted to visit him before we leave for what could be two weeks.
I played tennis with the guys and then drank a few beers before driving to see him at Arden Court. The caregivers were happy to see me. The told me where to find Dad. He was outside in the heat and sun with his bare head uncovered. They came out with sunscreen to help keep him from getting burnt. I put my arm around him and gave him a hug. I squeezed his hind in mine and asked him to squeeze back. I thought I felt a slight squeeze from him. I talked to him about Bailey the poodle and our upcoming drive to Pittsburgh and Maine. He did not respond. I told him about Bailey and recalled some of the happy times that we had together with our dogs in the past. (After the Dogs chewed up hardballs Dad prolonged the ball's life with shiney electrical tape wound around the strings of the ball. I told him how I remember him throwing hard balls to me at second base. If Jeffrey or I threw too weekly he would fire the hardball just as hard as he could at us.)
Fwd: Holding hands with Dad
Stuart Don Levy
Begin forwarded message:
From: Comcast <mirra7@comcast.net>
Date: June 8, 2011 8:54:31 AM EDT
To: Stuart Levy <bigstu52@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Holding hands with Dad
Thanks Stu. Putting Duchess down today. Don't tell Sandy till tonight. I'll fall apart if I talk to her. Will tell Duchess to go get Dad.
Love you.
Janice
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 7, 2011, at 10:48 PM, Stuart Levy <bigstu52@gmail.com> wrote:<photo.JPG>
Sunday, June 5, 2011
French Open 2011
We had the Drennans and Peirsons over to watch Nadal beat Federer. I prepared the Venezuelan Chicken which was a big success.
Tomorrow I plan to ride 60 miles.
Tonight I plan to finish The Lords of Dicipline by Pat Conroy.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
McDonalds and the Responsability for Corporate Obesity
Dr. Levy,
Thank you for reading my McDonald's story. Due to the hundreds of e-mails I received after the original story ran, I'm behind in responding to all of them. I apologize for the delay and wanted to let you know that I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Best
Julie Jargon
Staff writer
The Wall Street Journal
twitter.com/juliejargon
312.750.4105
-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart levy [mailto:bigstu52@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 8:34 PM
To: Jargon, Julie
Subject: McDonalds article
Dear Ms Jargon,
I appreciate your article about McDonalds. But I do believe that the people that find fault with Ronald McDonald promotion of the restaurants forget that there are healthful menu items at these restaurants and that it is the parents responsibility to guide the children to make healthy choices like oatmeal, fruit and vegetable salads, orange juice etc.
Why not mention the Ronald McDonald House which supports the families of children hospitalized for illness?
Childhood obesity is not the responsibility of corporate america. Childhood obesity is the result of parental neglect not corporate misconduct. Time strapped parents find it easier to plug a child into a nintendo and give into the whine for chicken nuggets than to teach the child to exercise and make wise choices when deciding what to eat.
Family planning, financial counseling, and nutritional counseling trump finger pointing at an American born- now-international corporation of which we Americans can be proud. Ever travel out of this country, get hungry and look for a good meal at a reasonable price? You can count on McDonalds to deliver. I can't imagine the logistics that their management makes to constantly deliver their ever expanding menus all over the world. I am sick and tired of this corporation being accused of being responsible for the American Obesity Epidemic. It is easier for America to make scapegoat out of a corporate symbol than to look into the mirror and kick itself in the ass.
Stuart Don Levy MD
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Cooking for Friends
Medical Knowledge, Uncertainty and The Standard of Care
Often especially close to the due date the mother goes into labor. In cases close to term it seems that mother nature has things worked out and it is best for the physician to follow nature's lead and allow her to deliver. But what if she does not go into labor? What if the baby is very premature, say less than 33 weeks, or immature, less than 28 weeks, or non-viable, less than 24 weeks? Do you induce labor hear? Do you try to stop labor? Do you give the mother antibiotics to prevent infection? Do you give her medication to accelerate the baby's lung maturation? Do you deliver by Cesearean or Vaginally? How can you tell if the baby is thriving in the uterus? Can the umbilical cord be crushed or kinked without its cushion of amniotic fluid? Where should the premature baby be delivered, in the community hospital or at a "center" many miles from home and family?
The reason I am writing about this is to illustrate the variability in expert management of this problem. About 20 years ago a leading medical journal in Obstetrics and Gynecology published a study on the management of PPROM (Pre-term Premature Rupture of Membranes Remote from Term.) The study consisted of a survey of Perinatologists (High Risk Pregnancy Specialists) in how they manage this problem. There was no consensus. This means that if a baby is born to a women with this problem and if that baby dies, or has neurologic problems as a result of being born prematurely it could always be possible to find a specialist who could state that he or she would manage the problem differently. Parents of these unfortunate children are under enormous social and economic stress. Attorneys advertise on TV that they can help parents make claims against medical caregivers and seek economic compensation for damages resulting from medical "mismanagement." A lay jury of so called peers can't help feeling sorry for the families of these unfortunate children. There is enormous downside risk defending these claims. A physician expert witness has little downside risk. All he has to do is testify in court. He can sell his testimony. He does not have to get up at all hours of the night to attend to women in labor with complicated cases. Many physician expert witnesses are former faculty members of medical schools that have been forced to downsize recently. They have impressive resumes that look great in the court room.
I worked very hard in medicine. I saved my money for my family's future. As I accumulated assets I began to feel more and more like I was a target of the plaintiff's bar. There was no way that I could get enough insurance to protect my assets. I saw each medical problem as a potential economic liability. Each patient, no matter how much she enjoyed my care for no matter how long was only one decision away from taking away everything that I had saved form over thirty years.
There was this beautiful young mother of three. She was a member of a large family which I considered to be my friends. I delivered her three children I made sure that I was available to take care of her when she went into labor and I was not on call. Six months after she gave birth to her third child I found out that she had suddenly died while I was out of the country with my wife on vacation. My nurse attended her funeral and found out that this patient's mother was blaming me for her death. It turned out that she had a rare tumor of the heart that the coroner thought could have caused an irregular heart beat. There was no way that I could have known about this. The lesson learned is no matter how good you are and how well you treat your patients they can turn against you in a heart beat. Today's physician has to be tuff enough to cary that burden.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Medical Memories
I still maintain my license. I occasionally dispense medications and advice to family and friends. I don't miss practicing medicine. I still run into many of my former patients around town so I still have much of the satisfaction of seeing children I delivered grow up. In a way I get many of the benefits of having practiced in one town for 28 years without the pressure of having to worry about bad outcomes, unhappy patients, greedy insurance companies and increasing costs and regulations.
Medicine and especially Obstetrics and Gynecology changed significantly during my watch. Patients seemed easier to please when I started practice. They were happy to have a caring person to diagnose and treat. I basically followed two principles. First do no harm. Second, treat patients like I would like to be treated. It was simple. After a few years in practice I was quite confident.
Mother nature likes to throw curve balls. Early in my career it seemed that patients and families were more understanding and accepting of unfortunate outcomes that are part of any medical practice. Today with the internet, the proliferation of medical malpractice attorneys and second opinions, a clinician is more like a prize fighter bobbing and weaving to avoid trouble. After the fact there is always someone willing to be a Monday Morning Quarterback.
People have such high expectations especially after hearing news reports of advances in medicine. Medical options are numerous today while yesterday's options were few.