Return Visit to the Morgan Library and Museum

 

According to records kept in this journal, my last visit to the Morgan Library and Museum was in March 2022.  Every museum has permanent and temporary exhibits.  The library, featuring a Gutenberg Bible, was unchanged.

The major exhibit was A Lively Mind: Jane Austen at 250.  The manuscripts, artwork, books, and artifacts present compelling new perspectives on Austen’s literary achievement, her personal style, and her global legacy.  Austen is best known for her novel Pride and Prejudice.

A second exhibit was Lisa Yukavage: Drawings.  She is a contemporary American artist.  The exhibition features a wide range of her explorations with various materials, including work in graphite, pen, Conte, pastel, charcoal, distemper, monotype, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, and ink on paper. 

The second floor featured A Celebration: Acquisitions in Honor of the Morgan's Centennial.  It was a "mixed bag" of artworks from the museum's collection.

Under My Thumb by the Rolling Stones - Oldie of the Day

 

"Under My Thumb" was originally released on the "Aftermath" album in 1966.

My Misadventure in Phone Dating - AI Really Failed

 

After Karen passed away in 2021, I didn't want to think about dating again for at least a year.  Since then, I have dabbled in looking for a female friend.   I always thought that it would be nice to have a female friend, but it was not essential.. Recently, my Facebook feed has presented me with several dating apps for older singles.  I discussed one misadventure in a journal entry in May.

I will change all names here.

I found a website called Ophelia Connects. The service looks for someone close in age and interests—someone also looking for good conversation.  I decided to sign up since the introduction is free and payment is not required unless the two parties agree to extend the connection.

All text messages and phone calls from this service were generated by AI.  I was given instructions to be on my phone at 6 PM on Saturday.  That is a bad time since I am usually preparing dinner or eating.  I spoke to Jane, who lives close to me, for 10 minutes.  It is very hard to determine compatibility in a short phone call, but we found out:

• She is Catholic, while I am Jewish.  A difference in religion is an incompatibility
• She is divorced, while I am widowed.  I think a widowed-widower combination is more likely to be a match

We amicably decided not to pursue a connection.  This is fair game.

I then got a phone call from an AI-generated voice called Ophelia.  I said it didn't work out, but she would try again for someone else.

She arranged another phone date for Tuesday at 6 PM.  I had to reschedule my dinner.  I got on the phone and heard from Jane again.  AI did not work.  I was laughing at technology's failure.  I mentioned to the voice that 6 PM was a bad time.

Ophelia arranged a third phone date for Thursday at 7 PM.  For the third time, it was Jane.  I laughed really hard.

Is this any way to run a business?  The match was made only on proximity.

This qualifies for an Oy Vey.  I have been frustrated in my attempts to resume dating.

Crazy by Willie Nelson - Country Hit of the Day

 

Willie Nelson performed at the Outlaw Festival just after Bob Dylan.  He performed Crazy, one of his classic country hits there.

I Question Many of the Roster Moves Made by Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns

Fans of the Mets should look at the following websites:

• Baseball-Reference List of 2025 Mets - this includes 42 pitchers and 20 position players
• List of Player Transactions by the Mets in 2025 from ESPN

The latest roster move was when Austin Warren was sent down to Syracuse after just one game, while Dom Hamel was recalled.  Warren pitched 4 scoreless innings in yesterday's game, which at least kept the Mets in the game.  He is then rewarded by being demoted.  This has happened several times when a relief pitcher is demoted so a fresh arm can be brought up.  In essence, Stearns is using this ploy to expand the roster.  Going back to yesterday's game, Ryne Stanek was brought in to pitch the 9th inning and allowed 5 runs while only getting 2 men out.  A position player had to finish the game.  Stanek has an ERA over 5 for the season and should be the one dumped.

Stearns gave Frankie Montas a two-year contract worth $34 million.  He missed half the first season for an injury and has an ERA of 6.68 in his 7 starts.

If the Mets don't make the playoffs or are eliminated very early, I think Uncle Steve should designate David Stearns for assignment.

 

It Was Not a Nice Afternoon at Citi Field as the Mets Lost to the Giants 12 - 4

 

The only highlights of the game for the Mets were a first-inning home run by Francisco Lindor and 4 scoreless innings by reliever Austin Warren, who is one of the 41 pitchers the Mets have used this season.  It seems that every day players are designated for assignment, optioned to the minors, or recalled temporarily.  I think there should be a rule requiring a certain number of days that a recalled player must stay on the major league roster.

Frankie Montas, who received a 2-year contract for $34 million, was terrible as he allowed 7 runs in 4 innings.  After missing the first half of the season for injuries has a 6.68 ERA after 7 starts.  It was 7-2 after 8 innings, but Ryne Stanek allowed 5 runs in the top of the 9th and had to be replaced by catcher Luis Torrens to get the last out.

Box Score

Bob Dylan at Jones Beach but not on the Video Screens

 

The concert, part of the Outlaw Festival, began at 4 PM, but we left home at 4 PM and didn't care about the opening acts.  We arrived in time to see Wilco.  Bob Dylan and his band took the stage at 

about 8 PM.  There are always video screens at large concert venues.  They were turned on for Wilco and Willie Nelson, but not during Dylan's set.  During the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, when Dylan was the only act, concert goers were required to place their cell phones in Yondr Pouches so they could not take photos or make recordings.  Since Dylan doesn't want photos taken, he instructed the venue to turn off the video screens during his set.

Two concert reviews.

Wantagh, New York Northwell at Jones Beach Theater August 1, 2025

1.	Gotta Serve Somebody (Bob on piano)
2.	I Can Tell (Bob on piano) (song by Samuel Smith)
3.	Forgetful Heart (Bob on piano)
4.	Axe and the Wind (Bob on piano) (song by George "Wild Child" Butler)
5.	To Ramona (Bob on piano and harp)
6.	Early Roman Kings (Bob on piano)
7.	Under The Red Sky (Bob on piano and harp)
8.	I'll Make It All Up To You (Bob on piano) (song by Charlie Rich)
9.	All Along The Watchtower (Bob on piano)
10.	'Til I Fell In Love With You (Bob on piano)
11.	Desolation Row (Bob on piano and harp)
12.	Love Sick (Bob on piano)
13.	Share Your Love With Me (Bob on piano) (song by Alfred Braggs and Deadric Malone)
14.	Blind Willie McTell (Bob on piano)
15.	Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on piano)
16.	Searching for A Soldier's Grave (Bob on piano) (song by Jim Anglin)
17.	Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Bob on piano and harp)