Author: Iris Ruth Pastor

Years after my mom passed away, I found her musings about ordinary days in her life. I thought I knew her well – now I’m not quite so sure. At age 88, she made a commercial aimed at securing funds for the Art Deco train station in Cincinnati and it passed resoundingly.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPsYM8tl2Q She was the Continue reading

The desk is in my family room, I pass it at least 100 times a day.   And the green plastic folder was in plain sight.It was labeled “Beverly’s Writings” – thoughts my mother penned  through the years.     But, somehow, I never thought to explore its contentsuntil one rainy, cold Saturday afternoon.And I am very Continue reading

My sister and her husband just spent a week with my husband and me at our home. They left yesterday morning.  Due to her “influence,” my closet is fuller with more stuff that I have few occasions to wear.My checking account balance is lower due to buying more stuff I have few occasions to wear.And Continue reading

I was going to write about what is wrong with me.Why, at age 74, I’m not quite as motivated to go after new endeavors as I was just a decade ago – such as increasing the number of my Instagram followers and pursuing speaking opportunities now that COVID restrictions are eased.  I was going to write Continue reading

It’s all my best friend’s cousin’s faultShe came to visit my friend and insisted giving my friend lessons on her favorite new gadget: an Instant Pot. And my friend insisted I share in the experience. Part of me loves learning new things.The other part?  Totally resistant to venturing out of my comfort zone. Early one morning, in anticipation of Continue reading

This Valentine’s Day marks ten years since I stopped purging – since the ravages of bulimia ruled my life.       I have spent the last decade normalizing my eating, which also, for me, entailed finding a way to keeping my weight within in a reasonable range. Hence, I bought into the diet mentality.  I’m hardly alone. According to Continue reading

Two burning questions:The Super Bowl: Who’s going to ultimately triumph?The LA Rams in their home stadium?Or my beloved underdog: The Cincinnati Bengals??? THE BENGALS HAVE NEVER WON A SUPERBOWL AND THE LAST TIME THEY PLAYED IN ONE WAS THIRTY-ONE YEARS AGO!!!!! Valentine’s Day 2022: Are my husband and I going to make it through to another Valentine’s Continue reading

Every year around this time, I start getting anxiety attacks because I know Valentine’s Day is coming and I will probably be disappointed again by my husband’s response or lack of response to this very romantic and love-filled day. To counteract my frustration, this year I decided to survey some friends and find out what they Continue reading

Somewhere on the Internet, I came across the following bucket list ideas people have come up with:      Change someone’s life for the better – 52%      Get to my ideal weight – 47%      Go on a safari – 45%      Ride a hot air balloon – 45%      See the Continue reading