Author: Iris Ruth Pastor

The book Theo of Golden is all the rage. I planned to continue reading it on my London-bound flight. Seated early in the boarding process, I keenly observed the passengers boarding the plane – all who were rapidly passing my row. I spotted a woman carrying Theo Of Golden and immediately raised my hand – holding up my copy Continue reading

I’m betting that everyone, everywhere, at any time in history would be vastly interested in how to effortlessly prolong life. The quest for the secret to longer life can probably be documented as long ago as 4000 years. Gilgamesh – around 2000 BCE in Mesopotamia appeared in the Epic of Gilgamesh – as a hero who nevertheless Continue reading

Many years ago, I lived in a house with a majestic staircase. One Sunday afternoon, I was bounding down the steps clad in a pair of ripped cut-off jeans and an embroidered top. As I neared the bottom of the stairs, I found my husband staring at me with a thoughtful expression. “You know, Iris,” Continue reading

I think I am a slow learner. I have been a mother since 1970 – that’s 56 years. You think I would have perfected my role by now. Nope. But I feel better knowing that my good friends and neighbors aren’t so savvy about parenting their adult kids either. My pal Georgia is visiting her Continue reading

My sister is ten years younger than me. So for a long period of time we had little in common and I viewed her as an extremely annoying interloper into my family of origin. The nerve of her – like when she stuck her sticky little fingers into my 500-piece stash of Bazooka Bubble Gum Continue reading

I am not a psychologist. I’m not an expert in human relationships nor a researcher into the human brain and psyche. I’m just a plain ordinary person trying to live her best life in harmony with my family. Here’s how I truly believe you can achieve family harmony: LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS ThIs revelation did not Continue reading

I have a grandson who will soon be turning 18. I thought buying a birthday present for him would be very easy. Why? Because he loves Legos and goodness knows, the sheer variety of things to be built with Legos is endless. Imagine my dismay, when he nixed my idea quite succinctly. I take it Continue reading

When Did This House Become Home? I stood at the window and watched the rain. The trees were still barren, although the buds were just starting to appear all over the wobbly branches. Across the street, I could see the lights in my neighbor’s kitchen. I turned around to face the room. My antique cookie Continue reading

I admit I have a soft spot for World War II veterans – also known as “The Greatest Generation”. They were born between 1901 and 1927 and they were powerfully impacted by both the Great Depression and World War II. Tom Brokaw, in his book The Greatest Generation first coined the term – based on how these Continue reading

What Do I Love?Lists! I love thinking about them. I love making them. I love organizing them. And I LOVE crossing items OFF of them! Why am I so enamored by Lists? Lists quantify and provide a sense of progress and completeness Lists simplify – breaking down information into easily digestible bite-size chunks Lists create Continue reading