Most likely, to confront commercialism during this gift-giving time of year, I often think about having a bit less ‘stuff’ around me. [A funny thought for a mild hoarder such as I am.] Thus, similarly to when spring-cleaning is in the air, at the end of the year I consider a clearance, such as cleaning … Read more
Older voices aren’t always heard on the radio. A friend, Kevin, once shocked me. After I said I heard something on the Diane Rehm Show (now only available via podcast), he said, “I can’t listen to her. She sounds like some old lady.” First, she has a neurological throat disorder (spasmodic dysphonia). Second, I briefly … Read more
My brother, Rick, died as a young man, not even 50 years old. A fire-fighter, Rick suffered related long term health issues. They caught up with him long before his time was due. Older than me, I looked up to him as many younger sisters do. I remember him as adventurous, jolly and complicated. However, … Read more
For me, information-overload is constant. While sincerely interested in them, I keep half of my emails for a rainy day that never comes. I try to be aware of this phenomenon for my readers. Nevertheless, Mark Twain’s words come back to me as a warning much too frequently: “I didn’t have time to write a … Read more
“Ahhh-choo” “God, Bless you.” “Thanks.” It’s a rare day you don’t hear this exchange. Whether triggered by allergies, a cold, common daily routine or wildfire smoke, we all sneeze. I undoubtedly think more about why I am sneezing as opposed to how. We can live perfectly-fine, thank you, without being able to answer certain questions. … Read more
I suspect I wasn’t alone during August as I grew weary of hearing about the “Great American Solar Eclipse.” You couldn’t escape it. Ten months before it was barely a blip on my solar radar, until my brother-in-law explained the historic significance of the unusual occurrence. Being alerted early, I actually found lodging not too … Read more