"Politeness goes far, yet it costs nothing." (Samuel Smiles) ??

I was out to dinner the other night with my in-laws and two of Rhoda's grandchildren, Ilana (15) and Allyson--I think 11.. They were visiting, as they do almost every Presidents' week, and this was the second time we were to dinner with them while they were here. They've gone back to Merrick, NY where it's much colder than here. But they have to go back to work in order to send the girls to college one day, in addition to a Bat Mitzvah for Ally--not to mention the weddings that are very possible in the future. Sometimes I stop and wonder why anyone has children; it creates such a struggle for a long period of time. Schopenhauer suggested that having children be banned--but then again, as I have noted in a previous posting, he was a pessimist. Nevertheless, those loving couples who have recently been married should give some thought to postponing the family plan until the economy improves. But I started this post in order to complain, not only about cell phones, iPods, Blackberries (?) and such and such. The two girls at the two dinners we shared stared at their Blackberries, playing games, or sending text messages all through our dinner without uttering a word, or contributing to the conversations. I mentioned to Jeff, the father, that I would never permit my children to do such a thing--good manners are required in a civilized country. But Dad replied, "It's a different era." At which response I was struck dead. With a little wine, I recovered, and I countered by telling him that the girls' using their equipment at the dinner table was rude. And that was that.

There was an article in today's newspaper about Facebook. It started only a few years ago and now there are millions of people inviting other people, known or not, to be friends. One Facebook socializer maintained that she had 5000 friends! I keep getting invited to join and be a friend by my known friends, mostly former students, and unknown "friends." It seems to be multiplying in my inbox. I did get a welcome note from one of my known friends from high school, Alan Levine:

Norman: Best wishes on your 85th, and many more to come.
You were , and continue to be an inspiration to all who have been taught by you, and by all who closely follow your blogs.

Well, messages like that give me a lift, and it's good to know that there are friends who are following my blog but who are unknown as followers. However, I don't believe there are 5000 of them. At least I hope not, because if there are, I'd be burdened with guilt if I should ever stop writing thus disappointing such a mob.

Today, Rhoda went on a field trip to some castle with a bunch of City of Hope women, and I've been left to fend for myself. So, I went to breakfast at I-Hop where they were doling out a free short-stack of pancakes all day long. When I got there it was a zoo. About a dozen people were waiting for a table, so seeing a seat at the counter, I took it. However, I didn't want the free pancakes; I wanted scrambled eggs and bacon with light toast and coffee and that's what I got. I'm sure one day they'll offer free scrambled eggs and bacon and I'll order a short stack. Well isn't that the way of the world?