Author: Iris Ruth Pastor

I forget my granddaughter’s birthday – not because I didn’t write it down – but because I forgot to look at my list of “Special Days.” I’m at the grocery store and can’t remember if I have an in unopened bottle of French Vanilla Coffee mate at home so I buy more. Word recall? Routinely Continue reading

Throughout my growing up years,when I wanted to feel goodand when I needed reassurance that everything would be okay,I went to my mother.But when I wanted the truth – the unvarnished truth – I turned to my friends. We need our friends.  I guess that’s why over 200 women of all ages and at all Continue reading

Monday, April 8I wake up in a cold sweat. Four days until my very first event in The Art of Female Friendship series. It seems like there are still loose ends to be tied up:     The agony of seating 180. (Whoops: by mid-afternoon there are now 200 who have registered.)     The stumbling I’m still experiencing in Continue reading

“There are only three things women need in life: food, water, and compliments.” Chris Rock Now that is a quote worth remembering. Years ago Sarah Breathnach published a gem of a book called Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. In it, she suggested we all look for three things to be grateful for.  “Wow,” I lamented to Continue reading

Mainly – and I don’t say this lightly – most days I feel like I have a pretty awesome life of my own choosing. I fill my days with – for the most part – doing what I want to do when I want to do it. But there are days when I’m beyond frustrated Continue reading

I should have known it was a bad sign when I changed the filter on the Keurig a few days early.  I should have known it was a bad sign when I didn’t stop there but actually went on to descale the coffee machine too.  Here’s the link if you’re so inclined. Another bad sign: I Continue reading

When my husband retired, he took over the washing and drying of our clothes.  This was a good fit.  He doesn’t rush through mundane tasks – resentful of the time it takes to satisfactorily complete them – like I do. And he consistently demonstrates significant attention to details. Not something I ever do.  I noticed Continue reading

It was the tail end of my visit with my three married sons and their families. And it had been a magical ten days. Why? Because we just hung-out – together. I watched all eight of my grandchildren in their own element. Two had just gotten their driver’s licenses. Sitting beside them in the front Continue reading

Ann Kearney-Cooke is a provocateur. She appeals to those of us who are shackled by circumstances and overruled by rationalizations. She tells this story:There was a small town that had a zoo and the people of the town wanted a polar bear so the directors of the zoo raised the money to acquire a polar Continue reading

With age hopefully comes some privilege, some wisdom and a whole host of revelations and resolutions.  Here’s what I’ve picked up along the way…….. I’ve finally decided that now that I am over the age of 75, I AM NEVER GOING TO:     Chew gum after the flavor has gone out     Eat fat-free mayonnaise, no-fat Continue reading