An Unexpected Visitor at 4:45 a.m.

Recently, my husband Randy and I were sleeping soundly in the wee hours when our terrier, Libby, started barking. Only this wasn’t her usual “hearing a raccoon meandering outside” half-hearted growl. This was a full-throated, loud, angry protest. She leapt off the bed and stood by our front window, yapping in a maddened frenzy. Nervous […]

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The 4 Awesome Perks of Seeing a Movie Alone

Have you ever been to a movie by yourself? The other day I wanted to see “Oppenheimer,” but no one was available, so I went alone, something I haven’t done in ages. There, I re-discovered four wonderful things about experiencing “cinema solo.” You can eat all the junk food you want with no witnesses—M& M’s […]

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What Are Your Favorite Married Dates?

Every couple has them—the occasional rough patch where you can’t speak to each other without considering murder. After 43 years of marriage, Randy and I have had a few. But there’s a small thing that always gets us back on track and reminds us why we’re still together. It’s called a date. Here’s five of […]

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5 Summer Things That Remind Me of My Father

  My father always loved summer. He was born in late July, smack in the middle of the season, the lushest, most verdant time of year. I think of my dad all the time since he passed away eight years ago, but especially this time of year. Here are five summer things that always remind […]

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This Surprisingly Fun Summer

Let’s face it, we only get so many summers in our lives. And there’s always a certain pressure to make each one count. Usually, our family goes to the same Cape Cod house each year, but this time, our place was no longer available. We weren’t quick enough to find another in time… so, we’re […]

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Wild Ginger: A Cat to Remember

The other day a stray cat appeared in our yard, the first I’ve seen in twenty years. A beautiful white kitty, she (I always assume cats are girls) sat on the grass, looking almost regal. After reporting her to several local animal sites, I tried to approach her with a plate of deli turkey. To […]

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A Scary Message at 2:13 a.m.

It felt like a normal Monday night. Randy and I had both gone to bed around 10:30 p.m. with our Yorkie Libby stretched out between us. We drifted off and then came the last sound you want to hear at 2:13 a.m. (or anytime). Our alarm system had gone on, blaring an ear-splitting, non-stop, whirring […]

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Trying to Stay Clear of Mommies with Feathers

Every now and then we see something in nature that tugs at our heart. The other day I spotted a Mother Robin sitting on her nest, which happened to be on top of the light over our back door. The evening was cold, rainy, and windy as I hurried to take out the trash. But […]

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The 5 Best Things About Being Alone

Most introverts (and I’m definitely one) love and need people. After all, no man–or woman–is an island. And yet, only solitude has special powers to energize and soothe. I now see how private time has always filled five essential needs…

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