In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for Zeus and Hera who rode the rainbow as a multicolored bridge from heaven to earth. In ancient times, the Iris was considered a symbol of power and majesty, the three petal segments representing faith, wisdom and valor. How ironic that since I Continue reading

Headlines and stories of violence and lack of compassion and human decency scream out at me: Deadly Run-Ins With The Police Show No Pause Cars Turn into Caskets as the disco-like lights of police cruisers induce ripples of fear in the veins of the apprehended driver AARP Fights Fraud on Online Shopping Sites and New Continue reading

It all started when my husband’s junior high school “frenemy”  was pushed out the rear doors of a moving school bus and hit his head on the concrete curb adjacent to the street. Pushed by my husband, I might add. Fearing he killed him upon impact, my husband was quite relieved when Mickey rallied. Instead Continue reading

The first thing that happened was that a good friend’s mother died. Okay, not that unusual as my friend is in her 70’s; but we all thought her amazing mother would live forever – after all, she was 106! The second thing that impacted me was that a friend who we haven’t seen in years Continue reading

It’s hard to strike a work-life balance – even after the nest empties and the chickadees fly from the perch. What I’ve learned is not every day has to be exquisitely, or even moderately, balanced. For me, an out-of-whack routine only becomes problematic when it is extended beyond reasonable lengths. A question of balance also Continue reading

If you ask my husband what the most boring subject in the world is, he would sum it up in three words: my wife’s weight. Not to me, of course. For so many years, my mood has been dictated by what the needle on the scale registers. And I have a lot of scales. This Continue reading

When you lower your expectations and stop trying to get from your adult kids what they are not programmed to give (that’s what best buddies are for BTW) When you lower your expectation, and begin reveling in the gifts of affection, time, forgiveness and patience they do so readily extend  When you lower your expectations Continue reading

Last week, based on a friend’s suggestion, I asked readers to come up with two words each to describe the years 2020 and 2021. Thank you to all who contributed their opinions. Here is a sampling of responses: 2020 Difficult, trying Bad, persistent Totally depressing Physiopsychosocialspiritual challenge Naïve population Long, confining Covid, pandemic Disaster, heart-wrenching Continue reading

I never lack for ideas but that doesn’t mean I don’t welcome hearing other people’s ideas for my columns. Here’s one from a friend I just had coffee with – after not seeing for over 20 years. Thanks JBuc. Think quickly: In two words, describe 2020 In two words, describe 2021 (Try to leave out Continue reading

First, I kinda disappear. Then, I am flooded with euphoria – a feeling of intense, anesthetizing pleasure washing over me. I’d describe it as a temporary high – a fleeting “all is okay” moment. Of course, afterwards, I feel awful, hopeless, despairing that I have wasted yet another day because I am out of control. Continue reading