I’m ashamed of myself. This month my book club elected to read a book on the NYT Best Seller List: James – a reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I ordered it from Amazon and when it arrived – without reading much about it – I casually glanced at the opening pages and was startled to see a very unfamiliar Continue reading

A few years ago, I passed out a survey to a cluster of couples of varying ages whom I considered to have a “solid, well-functioning” relationship. (Is there even such a thing?  Hee hee!) Primarily I asked them what irritated and/or annoyed them most about their mates or partners.  Here’s a sample of their responses: HUSBANDS Continue reading

This week a close friend of mine sent me the following quote:Happiness equals success over expectations I couldn’t agree more. Discontent is fed by our unmet expectations for others. I have them.And a lot of my friends have them too.  Mainly these unmet expectations are over our children – their choices, their priorities, their valuesand the way they lead Continue reading

I’m not crazy about Valentine’s Day.I’m not crazy about Mother’s Day either – or any day that singles out an emotion like romantic love and/or parenting prowess. If my family’s response to these two holidays doesn’t meet my expectations, I get depressed. Then I get angry. Then I start questioning whether I am I a great mother or partneror even Continue reading

I could not only buy this sweatshirt, but could wear it daily. And I’d get lots and lots of nods in agreement. Every time a friend shares a confidence or a slightly off-color joke or a controversial political opinion, they jokingly, but also quite seriously, inquire of me the following:  I’m not going to see this Continue reading

Whew! Finally, the L. A. fires are weakening, though dangerous conditions are still expected next week. So far: 25 dead and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed – encompassing 60 square miles. And in the Tampa Bay Area? We are still dealing with the brutal aftermath of two back-to-back hurricanes – Helene and Milton in Continue reading

January 8, 2021I have a confession. This is NOT the year I will be getting my affairs in order – as in updating my will and my preferences concerning my funeral service.   Why? I simply can’t wrap my arms round the fact of my own mortality. Yes. Yes. Even Covid awareness has not YET jumpstarted this Continue reading

I am so annoying. If I had a friend like me, I think I would ghost her. Here’s why: I constantly interrupt peopleAND when someone tells me a story, I one-up-them.  Do you know what THE WORST THING is? I don’t even realize I am doing it!!!!! Thank goodness for my little sister – whom I can count on to point Continue reading

It’s that time – time to write my yearly newsletter ushering in the New Year.  This year, I wanted to find something that would snap synapses, engender good spirits and be truly inspirational. I was looking for a phrase in which to ground my column – a phrase that would realistically mirror my naturally optimistic mind Continue reading

Dear Sophie, Benjy, Charlie, Bobbie, Lucy, Levi, Remi and Zoe, It is now December, 2024. By the way you measure time, I’m sure you are thinking I am ancient – since I am 77 years old. You may be wondering why I am still putting myself out there – pushing limits and boundaries? That is Continue reading