Not to be all depressing and morose, but this past week has been kind of sad. I've heard one bad story after another. A friend's 17-year-old daughter diagnosed with ovarian cancer; a cousin's 28-year old son's thyroid cancer diagnosis; a co-worker of my husbands with a blood disease so rare I've never heard of it nor can I pronounce it or understand just how the body can turn on itself that way. I've had my personal share of cancer-at-an-early-age, and with that, there's always that jolt, otherwise known as a wake-up call: it spurs you into action to do something, change something, make promises to { Read More }
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 yesterday were thwarted by some circumstances beyond my control – but I can’t wait. In preparation for sequel, Alan and I watched the original, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, on Netflix last Friday night. I { Read More }
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 and could build a radio or a car engine from scratch, and isn’t technology the modern-day equivalent of those kinds of skills? The Pew Research Center found, in 2012, that more than half of adults aged 65 and { Read More }
7 Things a trip to Mexico taught me
Last week, Alan and I went on a much-needed vacation to Mexico. Although it was only January, the winter was already wreaking havoc with my mood. I got through each day of bitter cold temperatures and snow by telling myself, "Well... at least you'll be getting away to some sunshine and warmth soon." Well-stocked with plenty of sunblock, my kindle loaded with books, I was ready. I even bought new bathing suits. Oh, and I got a spray tan, since I always burn in the sun. (There's just something about looking tan that makes you feel good better in the dead of winter). But my dreams of an ideal getaway { Read More }
Midlife Crisis? Strike That Phrase From the Dictionary.
Now that I’ve had a few years to settle into my so-called midlife, I have some bones to pick. There are those two words…so common to the boomer generation…that stick in my craw. (Okay, that expression should be struck, too.) I’ll admit there are some words that deserve to live together eternally. Like “King” and “Queen;” “Odds” and “Ends;” “Bread” and “Water.” “Wrinkles" and "Botox.” Okay…stop me! But seriously, why do these two words – “Midlife” and “Crisis” – have to travel hand-in-hand? Do you mean to tell me that nearly 79 million of us (that's how many baby boomers are gracing the { Read More }
7 Secrets to Being Happy-Happier-Happiest
Having just emerged from a year filled with disappointment, loss, injury, sadness, pain and more disappointment, I'm determined to make 2013 a better year. Silly me to think that it's that easy. As if these things were under my control. A girl can wish, right? Not to be deterred, here's what I decided is under my control. And I want to share some things that are definitely more realistic:, not just for me, but for anyone out there who wants to be happy (or happier): Smile - even when that's the last thing you feel like doing. There something about the act of turning the corners of your mouth up - { Read More }