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"I have lived in NYC for 27 years and it is the most narrowminded, intolerant and parochial place I've ever lived in."

It's surprising what good a little exposure to the rest of the country can do. Years ago a girl who spent her early life in Queens and was raised on Long Island came to one of the southern states to do her graduate work. After graduate school she stayed in the South and met a good old boy (me). Let me hasten to add that even though I am a card-carrying redneck, I also have a graduate degree.

She gradually learned that not all Southerners are like the cast of "Deliverance," and six months later we were married. She developed an affinity for most Southern food, especially catfish and hush puppies. Still haven't gotten her turned on to grits.

Even though she's justifiably proud of her New York heritage, any arrogance she might have had has long since disappeared after years of living in Southern and Western states. I highly recommend that other New Yorkers get beyond the steel and concrete canyons. There is a whole other country out there.

I take it you won't stay in New York when you retire.