Are you a Catskill native?
No, I was born in Washington Heights and then a long-time resident of Riverdale in the Bronx. I always said I lived in the Bronx.

How long have you been traveling to the Catskills?
A long time … I used to camp at North Lake and ski at Hunter Mountain but it was through the camping that I really got to know the area. It seemed to me to be a beautiful area. When I would camp I would always take a look around to see about buying a country house.
What brought you first to the Catskills?
I used to be a skier and sometimes I’d get up early in the morning, ski for the day and go back. I used to follow the snow and the Catskills had the advantage over Vermont or New Hampshire that I could ski for just a day. I didn’t learn how to ski until I was in my forties. I went on vacation, I took some lessons and it turned out I was apt at it. I just picked it up. I went from a non-skier to an intermediate skier in two weeks but later on I had a skiing accident in Vermont that caused me to stop.

What do you love about the mountains?
They are beautiful. I used to take rides places. I didn’t even know where I was riding. I didn’t care. I could go someplace and go around a turn and there would be a vista that would make me gasp it was so beautiful.

Your poem, “The Lady,” on the subject of the Statue of Liberty, is on display at the Library at Ellis Island. How does that make you feel?
Well, first of all I was amazed, I could hardly believe that the United States Department of the Interior/National Park Service could want to put it on display. It seemed like an impossible thing. I am happy and proud that my poem was chosen to be put on display on the Ellis Island Library. Why would they do it? But they did it. I read it to them over the phone and just about fell off the chair when they asked me if I would frame it and mail it to them. I am still in shock about it. It is the kind of thing that I would imagine that would be the highlight of a professional poet’s career—my poem displayed at Ellis Island. The poem came out of my heart. The inspiration was the sirens of classical mythology, the mythical creatures that lured sailors to their deaths. Instead of being destructive, The Statue is the American Siren, the Siren of Life. It symbolizes that people are welcome here to a new life.

You received a Certificate in Chinese Cookery and Nutrition from The China Institute of America in New York City. What did you have tonight for dinner?
I made Suchow style of oxtail stew. I think it is very delicious.