One of the most exciting and fulfilling things I recently did was complete my very first half-marathon. I never like to use this so-called midlife as an excuse not to do or try something new, but I must admit that I was a just bit wary that I might not be able to do it. But... I did it! And what a feeling of accomplishment that was. So now I'm anxious to spread the message that you can do it, … [Read more...] about Fitness Expert Joel Harper: How To Train for a Half-Marathon
Aging
When Nothing is Sure…Everything is Possible
Yesterday, I eavesdropped on Dame Judy Dench and Maggie Smith. “How many new lives can we have?” asked Ms. Dench. She answered her own question with the best five words I’ve heard in a long time: “As many as we’d like.” Lest you think I hang out in such royal company, I don’t. That question comes from the movie, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Have you seen it yet? I haven’t – my efforts … [Read more...] about When Nothing is Sure…Everything is Possible
Gotta Dance!
Do you like to dance? If you do, when is the last time you danced? Dance was a childhood passion that came to a pause long ago. As a young child, I was passionate about ballet dancing. The more lessons I took, the more I loved it and the more I excelled until my local teacher, Judy, recommended that I pursue more serious dancing at a more serious-type dance studio in New York City. I guess I … [Read more...] about Gotta Dance!
Defining Moments
We all have defining moments. Do you think they chart the course of our lives? Yesterday, like on most other days, I startled when my alarm went off at 7:00 AM. And like on most other days, I routinely made my way to the bathroom, shuffled into the kitchen, pressed the button on my coffeemaker to brew myself my usual dose of caffeine. Stirred in the half and half. Waddled into my … [Read more...] about Defining Moments
Remembering to Give Thanks: 12 Things I’m Grateful For
I thought that this year would be different; that I wouldn't be posting the usual "I'm grateful for X." But somehow, this morning, with Thanksgiving Day approaching, I've been hit with a sentimental moment. So I'd better strike while the proverbial iron is hot! Thanks for being here and for reading my blog. Being a writer sometimes feels like I'm yelling into the great unknown black hole. I'm so … [Read more...] about Remembering to Give Thanks: 12 Things I’m Grateful For
Why We All Need to Strength Train (and a giveaway, too!)
Having celebrated a big birthday recently has made me more sentimental about aging than normal. But with sentimentality comes complaints. Granted, they're not in a a "woe-is-me" kind of way- but with a bit more humor and irony attached to them. Humor? My feeling is that if we don't laugh about creaky joints, gray hair, diminishing eyesight, hearing and skin tone, then all that bitching becomes … [Read more...] about Why We All Need to Strength Train (and a giveaway, too!)
Keeping Up is Hard To Do
If you’re old enough to remember that old saying “Keeping up with the Joneses,” you’re old enough to understand how hard it has become to really keep up. But I’m not talking about the Jonses any longer. That’s old news. I’m talking about keeping up with the wild pace of technology. My father (may he rest in peace), at 89, taught himself to use a computer. But then again, he was always handy … [Read more...] about Keeping Up is Hard To Do
Five Steps to a Healthier Meal While Dining Out
While my children were growing up, I insisted on cooking most nights. Ever the health-conscious mother, I knew that my meals would be more nutritious than takeout, even though during the busy sports and after-school activity season, the convenience of pulling into a parking lot and ordering through a microphone would have made my life so much easier (and probably would have made my boys much … [Read more...] about Five Steps to a Healthier Meal While Dining Out
Why Using Sunscreen Is Not Enough
I look forward with anticipation to the warmer weather all year long, even more so when we have extreme seasons like we did this past winter. In the summertime I feel freer, happier and more at peace. While many will disagree that 80 degrees Fahrenheit is a comfortable temperature, it's the perfect one for me. But now that the warm weather looks like it's dug in its heels, I'm remembering that as … [Read more...] about Why Using Sunscreen Is Not Enough
Walking: Why Every Step is Special
If you know me, you probably wouldn't be surprised to hear me say that I'm the opposite of a couch potato. I'm of the why-sit-when-you-can-stand variety. In fact, since moving from my house to an apartment, the thing I miss most are my high kitchen countertops which allowed me to stand while working on my computer; perching my laptop on the counters gave me the perfect eye level view. Damn you, … [Read more...] about Walking: Why Every Step is Special