I spotted a list of “must not miss” dishes in NYC's Chinatown. Expecting Peking duck and sweet and sour chicken, I was intrigued that a meatless pie at a vegetarian kosher restaurant made the list. 

I had never been to a vegetarian kosher restaurant before!

I ordered the meatless pies that I understood were appetizer size and two other small plates. 

The waiter warned that one was very spicy and gave me the chance to change my mind.  I said “no” for the thrill of it.

Regulars were curious...

I brought my ukulele to Jake Shimabukuro’s concert. As I waited for the doors to open I played a tune. I saw a man’s eyes sparkle and asked if he played and he said, “Yes”. I offered my ukulele snd he accepted. He finger picked a classical tune. Everyone around us stopped, looked and listened. He told his story.

I made eye contact with a man carrying a uke in a case. I asked him if he played. He did, even though he had a bandage on one of his fingers.  It was wonderful. He told me his...

I walked into the room and I saw eyes light up. I was holding my ukulele. I offered it to a stranger and said, “Play it”. He said, “I don’t know how. I said, “ It doesn’t matter, just try.

Beautiful music erupted from his tinkering. It turns out I had crossed path with a cast member from “Crowns” currently playing at the Long Wharf Theatre. He in turn introduced me to the rest of the cast. From that first moment, they made me feel as if I belonged.

The story slam event began with the cast...