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Becki Cohn-Vargas, Ed.D, has been blogging regularly for Sixty and Me since 2015. She is a retired educator and independent consultant. She's the co-author of three books on identity safe schools where students of all backgrounds flourish. Becki and her husband live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have three adult children and one grandchild. You can connect with her at the links below.

Latest Posts By Becki Cohn-Vargas

3 years ago

My Adventures with a Cargo Van: Part Two

In Carpe Diem: Have You Ever Thought of Getting a Cargo Van?, I promised Part Two would describe what happened on the first adventure for my husband Rito, our dog Pepe, and me in our new Dodge Promaster. I’m happy to report that the trip was…

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3 years ago

7 Ideas for Preserving Your Family History

As women in our 60s, we have much to reflect back upon in our lives, while still most likely enjoying the company of a few elderly relatives. Suddenly, unique to this time in my life, I realized the accessibility and the incredible power of linking the past, the present, and the future…

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3 years ago

Carpe Diem: Have You Ever Thought of Getting a Cargo Van or RV? (Part One)

This year, the film Nomadland won three academic awards. Here is a description of the film: “A woman in her 60s, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.”

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3 years ago

Creating Identity Safe Spaces for Children and Adults of All Backgrounds

When I was growing up, we used to have a saying translated from Yiddish, “What am I, chopped liver?” We said it whenever any of us felt left out of the group in some way. In college, I studied social psychology and learned that humans crave a sense…

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3 years ago

How Well Do You Play the Waiting Game? 5 Tips You Can Use to Stay Positive While Waiting

Do you remember a time when you were waiting by the phone for a special someone to call? It was excruciating and endless, bringing with it a roller coaster of feelings. Now in our 60s, we find ourselves waiting again, for the doctor to call…

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3 years ago

Finding Hope for Earth in the Wake of Ecological Uncertainty

Although sometimes being a climate activist can be overwhelming and depressing, I remind myself how lucky I am to be living at this important moment where we can step up to the biggest challenge in human history – to stop the destruction of our planet…

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3 years ago

Turning to Individual and Systemic Action for Climate Change

Future generations will depend on the choices we are making today. Every effort to reduce carbon emissions and protect natural habitats now will be much harder to take in future decades. Sara Jaquette Ray explains that the frontline for the climate crisis…

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3 years ago

A Dog Is a Senior’s Best Friend

Our American bulldog, Mango died of cancer this week. In my moments of grief, I am writing this blog to honor her memory. Mango came into my life nine years ago when I was retired after my son had adopted her as a puppy and realized he could not keep…

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3 years ago

New Technology Can Be Our Friend – If Used Wisely

I confess, I sometimes resist new technology. Like the Alexa app. I’ve insisted that I can get up and turn on my own lights. I remember first learning that personal computers could be used for shopping. “Why would I need one of those?”

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3 years ago

Enjoying the Numerous Signs of Spring and Their Meaning

When I taught third grade, I asked my students to explain the meaning of the phrase, “Signs of spring are all around.” One English learner thought it meant there were little wooden signs that said, “Spring is here.” I found myself thinking…

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