Gulp…Is It Time to Finally Downsize?

I try not thinking of the D-word. Moving is hard enough without that emotional tug. Picking up stakes will be like leaving part of ourselves behind. Yet it’s undeniable. Our house is quieter these days. One son is gone. The other’s a working adult with a life of his own. He’ll be out before we […]

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Who Do These Annoying Fembots Think They Are?

I try not to show jealousy. Its only infatuation, I tell myself. Still, she appeared brazenly in my kitchen a few weeks ago, sleek and modern. She makes no secret of the fact she’ll do anything for my husband. “Alexa, play Beethoven,” Randy commands. She lights up at the sound of his voice, a cool […]

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If Our Bed Could Talk…

  Don’t worry, this is not going to be some kinky “tell-all.” But you know when you can’t put something off any longer? That’s how we felt about buying a new bed. After twenty years, the old one was so lumpy and beaten-up, I’m surprised it didn’t leave on its own. We finally roused ourselves […]

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Seriously…What Do You Get the Man Who Has Everything?

  I’m not being rhetorical here. I need help. What do you get the man who has every gadget, device, musical instrument, wine accessory, wine, article of clothing, and even neon-colored sneakers? This happens every December, the time of year I’m handed one of my biggest life tasks… I must buy a Christmas present for […]

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6 Things I Wish I’d Told my Mother-in-Law

Have you ever wanted to tell someone something, but the words never came?  Maybe you were embarrassed or got busy, but the moment didn’t arrive. And then it was too late. And you have regrets. This happened to me recently. Here are 6 things I wish I had told Joyce, my mother-in-law. You amazed me– From the first moment my […]

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How Do You Pick a Really Good Husband?

I came upon my wedding picture recently, taken June 7th, 1980. My husband Randy and I were 23 years old. We knew nothing much except we loved each other. But looking at this young bride, I gave her kudos for one thing. She knew how to select a mate. To that end, I have 8 thoughts for any […]

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How Do I Help Mom Help Dad?

Anyone who reads this blog knows I write about my Dad… a lot.  He’s always on my mind since he suffers from late-stage Parkinson’s disease.  And yet there’s another person I’m always thinking of, who keeps the machinery of my father’s world moving like clockwork, who’s as necessary, irreplaceable and vital as the sun is to the earth. And that’s […]

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He Says/She Says: Why is Downsizing so Traumatic?

With thoughts of future moving in our heads, my husband Randy and I face a house that needs serious purging.  I won’t name names but one of us (*cough*) has his work cut out for him in terms of streamlining possessions.  Randy and I recently started preliminary fighting dialogue on three main areas of contention… RANDY’S COLLECTIBLES: Me:  Really?  We need to […]

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How Do You Stay Married Sixty Years?

My parents just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. I wondered what it’s like going through life with the same person for so long. The other day I asked their secret. The answer surprised me. But first, let’s back up. This story began in 1954 when my 24 year-old father stopped to help a middle-aged woman change a […]

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