I left Savannah Sunday morning heading for Beaufort, North Carolina, with everything going exactly according to my plan. I should have known that wouldn’t last. The first challenge occurred after eating a leisurely lunch of shrimp and grits – kind of an interesting combination. And after I impulsively buy a floral-patterned pair of linen pants. Continue reading
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My Solo Road Trip
At age 70, I’m taking off on a solo road trip up the coast from Florida to New York. I set my car’s mileage tracker back to zero and pull out of my driveway as planned at 8am sharp eight days ago, Thursday, June 7. Waves of pure joy and images of unbounded freedom wash Continue reading
I’m Running Away From Home
I know it’s only been a couple of weeks since my last newsletter, but I miss the connection. I caved. I gave-in to impulsivity. I happily went back to letting my fingers fly all over the keyboard – churning out thoughts and gleanings. So what have I been up to since we last communicated? Quite Continue reading
I’m Tired
My friend Marlyn died eight days ago. Something invaded her body like a raging out of control fire, whizzing through dry timber. She was seventy-three. Within hours, her son posted on Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I mention the passing of my mother, Marlyn Weinstein. She lived a full and happy Continue reading
Happier Times Are Here
It All Starts With Good Health Intentions It’s been an angst filled time in my life – compounded losses have abounded. I take stock: I’ve gained weight (I’m not one of those people who lose weight when stressed – I turn to wine and sugar to relieve my anxiety). My jeans are tight. My Sciatica Continue reading
How Have You Healed After a Loss?
My mother has been gone eight weeks. Her kitchen cabinets are still fairly well stocked, but I noticed when I went to refill the salt shaker she was out of salt. And the three packages of Pepperidge Farm shortbread cookies that were always tucked away in the small pantry were eaten days ago. By and Continue reading
Replacing Fear With Joy
It’s 11:15am and I’m squirming in my seat. Impatiently scraping my saddle shoes against the metal sidebars of my desk. I glance up at the big wall clock. Fifteen more minutes until lunch break. I can already taste the spicy hamburger loaded with fried onions and the iced cold Coke I will soon be guzzling. Continue reading
Filling the Void When You are No Longer the Hub
I remember very vividly the day this family picture was taken: Lou was gassy and cranky and wiggling like crazy on my lap. Harry (top left) was annoyed at being interrupted from watching The Jeffersons. Frank (top middle) was irritated at missing baseball practice. Max (bottom left) had to cut short a play date with Continue reading
Trend Alert: Prejudice Still Thrives
His name was Alfred and he was 21 years old, just like me. He was married with one child, just like me. Unlike me, though, Alfred was a high school drop-out. His father had abandoned the family years ago and his mother died some time after that. And, unlike me, Alfred would die young from Continue reading
What Makes You Happy?
Seeing our kids eat decently certainly brings a glow, but there are lots of other things that make us happy – little things that often go unnoticed in our never ending quest for what’s next – in terms of achievement, material goods, personal enhancement, and professional milestones. Happiness is: An unexpected effort, an Continue reading