1. Attorney Leonard Cohen (1935 – 2025) dies. Len Cohen was an eminent Massachusetts lawyer. He practiced criminal law for 54 years. When I moved to Massachusetts 51 years ago, I didn’t know any lawyers, but I picked Len Cohen. Because I had a criminal case? No. Because I had a referral? No. I picked him because one of my best friends was named Len Cohen. I found him to be brilliant, kind, and funny. I picked him because of his name and happened upon one of the best in the business. 
2. At Rubi’s Café in Great Barrington, if you order an Arnold Palmer, Marian will squeeze fresh lemons to make the lemonade and brew fresh tea. What a treat. 
3. Artist Anita Kunz’s exhibition, “Original Sisters: Courage and Tenacity” features portraits of 285 women. On display at Norman Rockwell Museum until May 26, 2025, some of us were asked t pick a favorite and write a brief comment. I selected Miss Billie Holiday.

A Woman’s Life At eleven she went from quitting school to hearing Bessie Smith sing the blues. At twelve years old, she went from running errands in a brothel to a recording studio. As a young woman she went from a prison cell to the stage of Carnegie Hall. Billie Holiday, AKA Lady Day, born Eleanora Fagan, changed vocal interpretation and reinvented the phrasing of the American innovation — Jazz. – Carole Owens