Love, Marriage and the Baby Carriage
I was wondering if fewer young adults were getting married and having babies, so I intentionally started to investigate for proof against what I consider a sadness. My first disproof came on a visit to the farmers' market.
The Vernors Ginger Ale Queen
A petite Irish Catholic woman who spent her adult life in Detroit, Michigan, and was the unofficial Queen of Vernors Ginger Ale.
My History as a Reader
As a retired Language Arts teacher, I can’t help but take a nostalgic pause when leaves begin to fall and brand, new boxes of colorful crayons fill the supermarket shelves.
Customer Service
We all appreciate friendly, efficient, and competent customer service. This helping hand can be like insurance or a doctor - you don’t know if it’s good until you need it! Whether on the phone or in person, the assistance can vary, good, bad, or indifferent; our recent experience has proven that ‘local’ is good and ‘corporate’ is not.
But It’s a Dry Heat
Oh, It’s summer in the desert
Snowbirds have made their retreat
It’s a hundred in the shade
But say hey – it’s a dry heat!
Do you know where you come from?
Do you know where you come from? Are your ancestors from Spain, Thailand, or Ireland? Have you ever been curious about your DNA? Have any of your talents or traits been inherited from a distant relative?
Blurred Lines of Parenting
As the African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
How Aspens Got Their Gold - A Modern Day Fable
It was a jittery time in the Universe, and all the Gods and Goddesses were nervous. Their rulers were arguing, and that was never a good thing. Reigning together over the Universe were the God of Winter and his twin sister, the Goddess of Summer.
Pennies from Heaven
Have you ever felt the gentle touch or soothing comfort of a loved one that has left this world? If so, you are not alone. This week, Diane’s blog explores the various ways the departed reach out to us.
The What vs The Who
In a recent YouTube video, the commentator asked a very catchy question. “Are we building a resume or crafting a life?” He went on to explain the difference:
A job resume would be a list of work virtues given to a potential employer.
This is ‘The What’.
Crafting a life could be a list of moral virtues read at a Eulogy.
This is ‘The Who’.
Truth in the Media
Is it just me, or do you feel overwhelmed with the amount of news being disseminated and the number of sources it comes from?
I Knew You Once
I recently learned of the passing of two men with whom I had the honor and privilege of knowing for a short time. Both died suddenly and unexpectedly in their fifties.
I Hope I Have Friends Like This
Are you lucky enough to have friends like this in your life? Because a life without friendship is a cold life, indeed.
STA-PUF PRO SPORT
Gene glared at me, wounded. He was hurt – mostly that I was laughing at him, because who likes to be laughed at? And there I was, tears streaming, shaking with laughter, doubled over with silent guffaws and unable to stop, or even catch my breath without a braying rasp. To be fair, he was also actually injured.
My Pet Peeve
I’m guessing all of us have at least one pet peeve, one that makes us roll our eyes, bite our tongues, or count to ten.
Are You a Butterfly?
While I watched TV the other weeknight, a quirky female detective (What is with all the quirky female detectives lately?) rapidly declared a suspect a ‘Butterfly’ after seeing their piles of papers, newspapers, and books stacked on every horizontal surface. Her TV partner and I both said, “What?”
Consequential Conversations Part 2: Silence
Yesterday, in my blog on civility, I mentioned that a silent response to disagreements that arise may be construed as apathy, agreement, or a way to avoid conflict. A silent response that is misinterpreted in this way doesn’t help bring understanding or a resolution to the differences between people.
Consequential Conversations Part 1: Civility
Do you avoid conflict? Do you find it hard to disagree with someone during a meaningful conversation?
Growing Up in Queens
I was born in the 1950’ s and came of age during the social upheaval of the sixties.