A teenager and young girl sit at a food court table
Hot soup is the perfect way to warm up after a long day of fencing. Carbohydrates, protein, and sodium help speed recovery and reduce the likelihood of cramps. When Emily is home on break, family sports training intensifies. I stock up on fresh ingredients for meals designed to build muscle.
A teenage girl leads a training drill with a younger child at a fencing club
The last year has been pivotal for my daughters. Maestro Mark Masters helped both of them correct serious technical issues. Our family travels on a circuit that incorporates lessons, drilling, and practice bouts with the right training partners. I can see steady improvement with each cycle.
Two young girls stand at the checkout counter of a candy store
I invited a friend to join Eleanor and me at fencing practice whenever she wants. There is no timeline for getting good at fencing. Twice a week, my husband hosts an elite men's épée practice attended by the kids of former Olympic and World team members. Crowdsourcing feedback helps everyone improve
A young girl wearing fencing gear stands on an electric strip at a club
In the next few months, Eleanor will start learning how to fence épée. Her father and I were World Cup épée fencers, and her siblings fence that weapon. Eleanor's fencing style suits both foil and épée, so she should be able to pass easily between both weapons. I am qualified to coach foil and épée.
A young girl wearing fencing gear stands while listening to a lecture from a master at a club
Maestro Mark Masters has multiple televisions at the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia to teach fencing by screening international bouts. The top fencers in the world all have excellent technique and actions. My family posts videos and commentary to our Discord channel to discuss foil and épée bouts.
A young girl wearing fencing gear lunges during a lesson with a master at a club
One year ago, Eleanor started taking lessons from Maestro Mark Masters. Mark has trained Olympic and World champions in all 3 weapons from a Hungarian perspective. Hungarian fencing places heavy emphasis on technique so it takes years to master. After that, you have access to many possibilities.
A young girl holds an icicle beside a snowy suburban road
My husband and I schedule fencing tournaments by posting on our family discord channel. All 3 of my children are always welcome to join our group as either spectators or competitors. The kids help me coach their friends while they develop backup strategies at large and small tournaments.
Three vintage sterling silver filigree flowers sit on a purple blanket
Silver filigree floral designs were popular during the 1960s. I purchased filigree flowers to create fairy wands from sterling silver, wood, and silk. 26-gauge dead-soft wire and silk thread fit through the filigree openings to create secure wand tendrils. You can crochet the wire into an end cap.
A custom sterling silver enhancer is clipped to a strand of semi-precious beads on a white tablecloth
Commodity silver futures predict continued price swings, and I agree with that forecast. Now is the time to complete all outstanding jewelry projects. Wholesalers still have a decent supply of reasonably priced beads and clasps. As items sell out, most of them are not being restocked.
Two pink pearl and amethyst necklaces and bracelets are displayed on a lace tablecloth
I started wearing vintage baroque pearls after my kids were born. There are no rules when designing jewelry using baroque pearls – each one is unique. I create patterns of colorful pearl and semi-precious briolette petals surrounding coin centers to produce necklaces that look like floral garlands.
Homemade pumpkin pies cool on baking sheets placed on a kitchen counter
I bake twice as much as my family needs and put half of the finished product into storage. Most of my focus these days is on raw materials such as flour and silver wire because they have numerous possible uses. When I maintain my possessions and keep extras in storage, they can be used for decades.
A young girl stands in the snow on the sidewalk outside a city park.
20 years ago, NYC prices started soaring. I noticed an exponential increase in costs for each of my 3 children. In high school, I worked as a tutor for gifted and talented kids and made fine jewelry. Those interests are now integral to my family's future as mentors guide my path to help others.
Three cultured pearl and sterling silver headbands rest on a lace tablecloth
I learned how to wire wrap jewelry during the COVID-19 pandemic. My daughters like pearl headbands – I made versions using precious metal and semi-precious gemstones. By wearing and maintaining the jewels I give them, my descendants will have a tangible reminder of their identity and origin.
A sterling silver charm bracelet and brooch sit on a lace tablecloth
I attach charms to bracelets using split rings. 5mm sterling silver rings are easy to attach to 7" bracelets – you can buy packs of 10. I buy charm brooches to acquire batches of matching charms. It took years to find vintage and antique European versions of my children's Chinese zodiac animals.
A young girl and teenager stand in a Pennsylvania delicatessen
Eleanor gives sterling silver birthday gifts to friends made by American and European designers. I first started buying affordable signed pieces when my children were little. Prices are now much higher and availability is limited, but I can usually find one or two suitable jewels to give to friends.
A pink chalcedony and tourmaline gold necklace and bracelet sit on a white tablecloth
I keep supplies of gold, silver, and copper wire on hand to make household repairs. 10 years ago, I learned how to repair chains and restring pearls. I bought small quantities of material at cost from artisans across the US. Precious metal prices are now 5x as high, so my family is using copper.
Works Cited
Dahl, W. (2025, October 23). Why Buffett Derides Gold But Likes Silver. The Motley Fool. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from www.fool.com/investing/20...
Statista. (2025, November 27). Silver mine production in the United States 2015-2021, by state. www.statista.com/statistics/2...
Four bars of silver bullion sit on a white tablecloth
Pure silver bullion emits a distinctive high-pitched tone when tapped on glass. I buy stashes from retiring collectors as birthday and holiday gifts for my children that will increase in value. For over a century, US mines have produced silver used in medical devices, AI chips, and electric cars.
A teenage boy sits at a craft table in a hobby shop
For decades, my family has been collecting vintage items such as fabric and miniatures made in the US because the quality is higher than anything we can buy new. There are risks involved since some pieces contain carcinogens or lead. The internet makes it easy to identify and avoid dangerous items.
A young girl stands beside a food court table covered with takeout containers
I buy one freshly prepared meal for each family member during trips to specialty grocery stores. My family goes through food preference phases. We are all sick of salmon so I removed that item from my grocery list. Two pounds of Atlantic salmon sit in the freezer waiting for someone to request it.
A young girl leans on a series of tables covered with takeout containers of prepared meals
Buying prepared meals is always a gamble since the good ones sell out quickly. We look for chicken, beef, and tuna. I buy cheese plus cook eggs and steamed or broiled fish for protein. Dried beans, peas, and lentils become soup or chili if the grocery store selection looks bare that week.
A young girl holds a shopping basket in the freezer section of a grocery store
Athletes require an enormous amount of calories. I time myself when I prepare recipes to achieve consistent results. Every family member owns a standard set of cooking gear to replicate meals compiled from ingredients acquired at stores with locations in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
A bowl of chicken noodle soup sits on a kitchen counter
Kathy Zucker's Hot Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Chicken noodle soup restores electrolytes after workouts along with providing protein and carbohydrates. I use pre-cooked and dried ingredients to prepare individual servings for my family. When we are away from home, we use a hot pot to prepare a meal in under ten minutes.
Two electric hot pots sit on a linen-covered table beside a Christmas tree
I email recipes to my children and provide oversight when they prepare them. Each kid has a hot pot and rice cooker designated for their use. I also own an assortment of folding tables, chairs, and linens that we have used in hotel rooms, picnics, and fencing venues for group meals.
A Belgian waffle dusted with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries sits on a linen-covered table
For twenty years, I have been collecting oilcloth. You can make oilcloth out of any cotton fabric by laminating it or applying oil and beeswax. Aluminum camping tables with linen covers and oilcloth can withstand the heat of outdoor stoves and indoor sterno chafing dishes.
A fencing foil lamé and replacement blades sit on a laptop computer
Eleanor shares her fencing equipment with friends. My daughters use the same size Visconti pistol grip as their father. I maintained five weapons when I fenced varsity foil for Columbia University. Foils break much more frequently than épées, so I am constantly doing armory work for kids.
Two épée fencing books sit on top of a gym bag
Épée distance is longer than foil. Because the arm is target, you need to be extremely careful every time your opponent prepares. When I fence, I use foil distance. My focus has been almost 100% on foil for about five years as I experiment to see what parts of my épée game can be adapted for foil.
Two sisters stand in a grocery store
I share my fencing coaching books with my family. I buy hardcopy editions and make notes in the margins that I show to friends to inform tournament decisions. Fencing is a living, breathing ladder of knowledge and experience. When you are missing rungs in the ladder, you need to go out to find them.
Gold-trimmed floral paper products sit on a linen-covered folding table on a snowy balcony
After Eleanor's last birthday, I gave her a hand-painted garden party in a box. Gold-accented floral bouquets printed on substantial paper products can host up to twenty people at her next celebration. I spent the summer sewing linen and cotton tablecloths for sturdy, portable aluminum tables.
A young girl stands in a marble-lined corridor of an indoor shopping mall
Today, I fenced foil with Eleanor's class. 30 years ago, I walked onto the Columbia University foil squad. When I started dating the épée captain, I switched weapons. Now I am back in foil because my kid has chosen that weapon. Hopefully I will be able to resume épée when my daughter learns it.
