When I was young I fell in love with the music of Joan Baez. I also admired her ardent support for the issues she held dear and her willingness to express herself in the best way she knew: music. I never got to see her in concert because I was less willing to contradict those around me who disagreed with ... Read More »
Ever have one of those days? You know the kind: you start out with one thing in mind and end up doing quite something else. So here’s my story. This morning I went to a certain big box store to get some packing bubbles to wrap my Singer Featherweight sewing machine for shipping to be cleaned and serviced. Yes, that ... Read More »
I had one of those days the other day. It seemed like so many little things went wrong. Nothing was a big deal. Each mishap all by itself would have been nothing. Piling them all up in the course of a few hours, however, made me wonder about myself. Finally I decided to stop doing anything and just read so ... Read More »
Do you remember as far back as the 60’s, maybe even before, when “on drugs” was a negative term that usually involved illegal activity? Back then I pictured people on drugs as criminals, people lying around in a stupor until time to get their next fix. Unfortunately, I had a family member who fit this description so I saw “up close ... Read More »
Today I’m remembering Maxine Gallagher, my mother. She departed this earth on February 19, 2014, one year ago today. Sometimes remembering is all we can do. If someone you love is old, in fragile health, take some time to remember with them the good things they added to your life, the lessons they taught you, the gifts they gave. Do ... Read More »
Let’s see. So far we’ve had Black Friday that started on Thursday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and today is Giving Tuesday. The stores are playing Christmas music, the aisles are packed with way more stuff than during the rest of the year, and retailers want our money. On Black Friday my husband and I bought a can of stain ... Read More »
When I was young I thought of older women as grannies. My grandmother wore her housedress most of the time. I never saw her wear slacks until I was a teenager and the extended family was at a lake in Minnesota where the adults, including my grandmother, were fishing. I guess when you’re in a rowboat catching slippery fish you ... Read More »
The whole process of aging is challenging. Things happen to remind us of what we no longer have or can do. For example, this morning I was behind a skinny little pretzel of a young woman in yoga. I’ll tell you, my body just doesn’t do what hers does. None the less, I’m grateful to be able to participate in ... Read More »
Only a few of those born into this world survive the vicissitudes of infancy, childhood and maturity. And this, by the way, is most fortunate; for otherwise if all lived to be old and the burden of caring for them in their increasing helplessness were thus added to the burden of caring for the helpless young, this would be a ... Read More »
What kind of day are you having today? I’ve decided I’m going to have a great day! In order to live well, we have to choose a good life. When you get up in the morning, what do you say to yourself? This morning I looked at the clock, noted that it was about 4:30 a.m., and decided to get ... Read More »
Todays Gray Matters Valuing the Wisdom & Purpose In Aging Well