My granddaughter is drawn to anything sparkly. If it’s pink or purple – or both – all the better. One afternoon, I set my jewelry box in the middle of the bed. She climbed up next to me, legs tucked under, already reaching. We went through…

I am a mood reader. Sometimes I like a mystery or a thriller. Other times, I crave historical fiction. But during the summer, when I’m heading off on vacation or a weekend getaway, I prefer a quick, fun read – a book that keeps me turning the pages…

I’ve interviewed dozens of women who are more than 75 years young. I’ve spoken to interesting, active, engaged, and curious souls to determine their secret sauce. What are their thoughts on successful aging?
Their responses surprised me. Interviewees consistently reported…

Back when I could stay up later than 9:30 p.m., I occasionally watched Late Night with David Letterman. The late-night talk show ran for 33 years, from 1982 to 2015. Those familiar with the program may remember Letterman’s Top Ten Lists. The lists were regular segments…

Thirteen years ago – when she was 65 years old – Barbara Pagano stumbled on a longevity website. She plugged in her basic health information, along with her family’s diseases and history, and pressed submit. What popped up on the screen was her proposed…

This December I had some surgery and was laid up for a while. Because I knew my “taking it easy” wasn’t for an indefinite amount of time, curling up on the couch every day with my blanket, tea, and book was glorious. I read and read and read. And I started thinking…

For most of us – when we were younger – the holidays produced excited squeals and bright smiles and eyes shining with wide-eyed wonder. We marked off the days on the calendar, counting the sleeps until Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever big day we…

I love it when a friend or family member gifts me a book. With so many choices in bookshops and online stores, it’s a fun way to discover new authors or subject matter that might not otherwise appear on my radar. Here are a few favorites I’ve read recently…

In our younger days, I’d watch the older couples next to us in restaurants – and I’d vow we’d never be like them. Those folks who sat across from each other and ate their meals in silence…

Book clubs – both online and in person – offer camaraderie, thought-provoking discussions, and introductions to authors and books we might not otherwise discover. My online book group came together during the pandemic…