I'm still basking in the glow of a good time in NYC this week for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reception. As I mentioned, I met Bart Potenza, owner of Candle Cafe and Candle 79. I liked him instantly.
We went to Candle 79 for dinner that evening, and while there, I picked up a copy of Bart's book ... Look Two Ways On A One-Way Street. I love the title because I do exactly that. Does anyone else?
Being an amputee, I've met too many people who have lost their leg(s) from being hit by cars, some in New York City. Interesting, huh? Most people only hear about these things, but when you hang out in prosthetic facilities (places where artificial legs are made) a lot, these happenings become real, because you actually meet these people.
The title of Bart's book also resonates with me in another way. To me, it says to look beyond the obvious when we have problems that we can't solve. And that there are many ways of doing things and our options are open if we look around, not just one way. Because life isn't just a one-way street if you don't make it one!
This book contains Bart's favorite aphorism's. One of my favorites in the book is this poem:
Get Positive
Most of my life,
I've woken up happy.
Now I have to work
at being happy.
But that's OK:
I can make happy happen.
This is Bart's story about how he got the title:
"The title of this book came to me sometime ago. At the time, I considered it a metaphor for the vagaries of life. Little did I know that it would also have a literal meaning for me. Early one New Year's Eve, I was crossing, as they say, 'in-between, not at the green' on a one-way street. I didn't look both ways — it was a one-way street, for goodness sake! — So I didn't notice a car backing up to park. My foot was in the way, the car backed over it, and i was tossed into the street. Luckily, there were no oncoming cars to finish me off. The injury itself was not serious — for a week or so, my foot felt a little uncomfortable and I lived to tell the tale.
The incident, however, was more than just one of life's vagaries. I took it to heart as one of life's important lessons, and it acts as if the overarching message of this collection of insights, anecdotes, philosophical musings, and sometimes silly sayings that first appeared as impromptu signs in the window of Candle Cafe, the restaurant on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan that I own with Joy Pierson, and that I've continued to post in the window and elsewhere for over twenty years. Most of the sayings are 'as is,' but a few I've had the chance to reflect on over the years and have changed things a little.
Why compile a book of sayings? Well you have my Dad to thank (or blame) for that! Whenever we kids complained about life's troubling twist and turns, Dad always said "it's in the book." Well, Dad here's the book, and, dear reader, here's to you! Salud!"
— Bart Potenza, New York City, March 2008
![Blogs By Women](http://<a href="http://www.blogsbywomen.org/" title="Blogs By Women"><img src="http://www.blogsbywomen.org/chicklet.gif" border="0"></a>){kind=link}
Thank you for letting me know about this book from the owner of two of my very favorite restaurants! Candle 79 is my special celebration place.
Posted by: Jody | October 10, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Hi Jody,
Candle 79 would be the best place for special celebrations! Thanks for the idea, I have a birthday coming up. :-)
Posted by: meg wolff | October 10, 2008 at 01:25 PM
You've really got an inspirational blog, I'm so glad you stopped over to see me...
I'm feeling inspired to re-connect with Macrobiotics after spending some time here - a very good thing!
Posted by: Shellyfish | October 12, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Hi Shellyfish,
Thanks for your kind words. Macrobiotics is a great blueprint and for me a lifesaver!
Posted by: meg wolff | October 12, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Thank you, Meg, for introducing us to an upbeat, pithy book. And thank you for your wise reflections on its title. Yes, we DO need to look both ways, or maybe even behind us!
Posted by: San | October 13, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Yes, behind us would be good ... learn from our history.
Posted by: meg wolff | October 13, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Nice work, Meg. I am a huge advocate of positive personal energy too.
Posted by: david mcmahon | October 13, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I like Bart's poem and his attitude.
Thanks for visiting my blog. God bless.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | October 13, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Hi David,
I imagined you would be!
Posted by: meg wolff | October 14, 2008 at 04:34 AM
Hi Sandy,
Attitude is everything, isn't it?
Posted by: meg wolff | October 14, 2008 at 04:35 AM
I think looking both ways on a one way street makes most of us who do it unique...we're not necessarily cautious...we're just careful! This is really a very informative post, and congratulations on POTD...
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi McBride | October 15, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Sandi,
We are unique. Thanks for pointing that out! Also thanks about the POTD.
Posted by: meg wolff | October 17, 2008 at 07:37 PM