This is a hard column to write because I don’t want to come off as a self-absorbed, spoiled princess bitch…… My late mother – of blessed memory – always reminded me that I went out of the way to make things difficult for myself. Regrettably, not only did I never listen to her – I never Continue reading

My stacks of “Books To Read” grows steadily larger and larger – near to toppling over from their precarious perch upon my old fashioned, no longer used scale. Here’s the interesting part: along with the growing number of books I have yet to read is the burgeoning stack I’ve started and then abruptly abandoned.     Too intricate  Continue reading

I think I’m weird.Every time I get very stressed, I delve into a novel or memoir about The Holocaust.  Reading about that level of degradation, terror and violence always skyrockets my gratitude meter and puts things in proper prospective. This time my choice was The Light of Days by Judy Batalion. It is the untold story of women resistance Continue reading

I made a decision after turning 74 in August that I‘d be devoting a portion of my blogs during my 74th year to writing about things I am grateful for – things we all often carelessly and casually take for granted.  Here’s one biggie: our ability – as we slide gracefully (or kicking and screaming) into the autumn Continue reading

The first firm memory I have of Mark Silverstein was slow dancing with him at a Bar Mitzvah party when I was 13. I was uncomfortable for two reasons: he was holding me way too tightly for my dad’s idea of propriety and my yellow brocade party dress was flattening my burgeoning breasts into very Continue reading

Very sorry AndContrite About no musingsThis week…Instead, a few days Of off time Not to be repeated regularly.              Family Wedding                in Chicago! Keep Preserving Your Bloom, Iris Ruth Pastor  

On August 15th of this year, my husband and I celebrated our 45thwedding anniversary. However, that is not the only anniversary I am celebrating this month. Thirty-one years ago this month, I started writing my “Incidentally, Iris” column. Here’s how it all transpired: Everyone has a special friend from their past and I was certainly no exception. Continue reading

I have made a decision. I’m devoting a portion of my blogs during my 74th year to writing about things I am grateful for – things we all often carelessly and casually take for granted. Why? Because a plethora of studies show that practicing the art of gratitude leads to greater happiness. Initially, two things come to mind: Podcasts and Books and Continue reading

Going back to my hometown is a zipless path back to my past:        Seeing friends who go back as far as first grade      Catching up with couples my husband and I sat in the stands with while watching our kids play soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in Continue reading

On August 5, I turn 74 years old. Modifications are in the making:              When it comes to my purses, fashionable has been replaced  by  practical.                         When it comes to my jeans, funky has been replaced by comfortable.                                            When it comes to my Continue reading