Okay.I’m 77 years old. I’m finally coming to terms with things I will never be good at:AccountingGiving bloodBallet On the other hand, I’m cultivating and enhancing things I’m already partially skilled at – taking them to a new level. Like having FUN! Yes, I’m taking time for frivolity.  We in Tampa have a Mardi Gras type celebration in the Continue reading

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