Author: Iris Ruth Pastor

I’m driving home at 5 in the afternoon from a series of irritating errands – dropping off a favorite blouse at the dry cleaners that I have once again stained – picking up a lush and heavily verdant basil plant at the nursery to replace the one I over watered and killed.  At the same Continue reading

Two of my eight grandchildren graduated from high school recently. They were both raised in loving homes with food security, ample creature comforts and myriad opportunities to excel at school and to explore their interests outside of school.  I watched them proudly accept their diplomas, surrounded by loyal friends, loving families and dedicated teachers. They Continue reading

I get ready for my 35th high school reunion much like I got ready for my 10th reunion – in a hurry with the house a mess.  Dressing while throwing in loads of dirty wash.  Agonizing over my hips. Berating myself for not losing the five pounds I vowed I would lose before the last time I saw Continue reading

Plagiarism – that dreaded charge that all published writers fear.   Long ago, in the 1980’s, I had lunch with Susan Isaacs, then a best-selling novelist. She confided that she too fears plagiarism’s brute force. To guard against having her brain assaulted with ideas from other novelists, she refrains from reading fiction altogether. I purposely don’t read other Continue reading

Sometimes I think I live under a rock.Up until a week ago, I had never heard of Mel Robbins. Have you? Most probably you have.  At age 41, she was unemployed, $800,000 in debt and her husband’s business was crumbling. Today she is a New York Times best-selling author and a world-renowned expert on motivation and changing one’s behavior. Continue reading

Over the years when I am stressed, did I turn to retail therapy for relief?Yes.But not to buy shoes, pocketbooks, or yet another black knit top.Nope.I headed for the nearest neighborhood bookstore to buy hardback books – mainly novels – in order to escape reality and lose myself in a mind-gripping story line.  I bought Continue reading

I’m not giving up:         SUGAR         SALT or         DIET ORANGE CRUSH SODA SUGAR can cause weight gain, drops in blood sugar levels, increase my risk for chronic diseases and is addictive.SALT intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney damage, fluid retention and increased risk Continue reading

I don’t give up on people. I think: If only I try harder, she will like me. If I just interact with her in a caring way, the caring will be reciprocated. I take one of her rare positive reactions as a jumping-off point signifying the beginning of a new chapter for our relationship – one of Continue reading

Mother’s Day is coming up fast. As a mother of five, I’m always searching for the quote I’ve never heard before – the quote that perfectly sums up our complicated feelings regarding Motherhood. And for those of us who are always looking for a good quote or two to add a personal touch to a card or Continue reading

I never do anything in moderation. What is the fun of that???? Monday, April 22, 2025 6:20 pm I start my “little” clean-up project while watching national news. It entails removing the two towering piles of newspapers from under the rattan table, plopping them on the floor in front of the big TV in my family room Continue reading