Crowds are swirling on the sidewalks – billboards are flashing merrily – theatres are filled to capacity. I hear the excited hiss of the audience as the opening notes from the orchestra reach our ears and the stage set is exposed. Even our ever-present masks can’t dim the thrill of being among a live audience Continue reading

In the middle of a phone conversation with a good buddy, on my way to the airport to fly back to Tampa from New York City,  my friend happens to suggest I check out a columnist in our local paper whose writing reminds her of mine. The columnist’s name is Stephanie Hayes.Once on the plane, I proceed to Continue reading

The lens through which we perceive colors everything. When I’m happy, I take things in strideand put things in “proper” perspective.“Proper” meaning realistic –not distorted not over-blown not leaning toward the negative. But….Oh my….When I go to my dark place,When I look for things to make me sadand madand despairing,it’s so easy to go down the unlighted rabbit hole and clutch the Continue reading

There is no substitute for hard work, as these quotes reflect: “It doesn’t matter how great your shoes are if you don’t accomplish anything in them.” ― Martina Boone, Compulsion “Logic will get you from point A to point B. Imagination and hard work will take you everywhere else.” ― Albert Einstein “Maybe the cure for any burnout is to work harder.” ― Phil Knight, Shoe Continue reading

I’m traveling with a friend. We stop at an artist’s cooperative in a university town on our way back home. We spot a dizzying array of Christmas tree ornaments. As always, we ignore them – they have no relevance in our Jewish lives. Abruptly, my friend stops in her tracks. “Actually,” she notes, “a Christmas tree Continue reading

Through a series of events I could not entirely control, my husband and I find ourselves vacationing on Amelia Island last weekend – near Jacksonville, Florida.  Confined in a neck brace, he is still in the throes of post-surgery recovery. Because the proprietress of the bed and breakfast where we had reservations was adamant about us not Continue reading

I wake up in the morning and gaze in the mirror. I can’t believe the 74-year-old face peering back at me.    Mirrors aren’t the only mile markers to remind me of my place in the universe.   Glass Canisters  When I first married – in my junior year of college – I bought a bunch Continue reading

My daughter-in-law, Julie, is very special: When she recognizes a need, she fills it.Her latest project is collecting bras for women who are disadvantaged.   Julie put out the call on Facebook and Instagram for gently used bras. She was deluged with donations of bras in every shape, size and color. Julie’s friends and acquaintances have Continue reading

Ok, no surprise.  I am prone to negative ruminations over the fact that my sons – now flown and grown – seem to need me so little. And to go even further into the pity party slump, I am now becoming unhealthily obsessed with asking other mothers of adult sons how often they hear from Continue reading

JOOPS – What is it and Why Should We Use it? JOOPS stands for Journal of Other People’s Sh*t  Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know there are all kind of online apps to track special occasions – like close friends’ birthdays and anniversaries. I am way too attention deficit to track them down, sort them out, try them Continue reading