As we kick off this new year, I find myself reflecting on how I’ve spent years chasing productivity and perfection – crossing things off lists and rushing toward the next task, holiday, or goal. But a recent tumble onto a cactus taught me a valuable lesson: life isn’t just about getting to the end…

As we get older, we tend to think we’ve got this whole “communication” thing down. We’ve had years of practice, and by now, we ought to be masters of getting our point across clearly. And yet, sometimes, even with our best intentions, people hear something…

When I first retired, I had this fantasy about sleeping in. I pictured myself lounging until 10 a.m., with the sun already high in the sky, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. I’d be well-rested, with a full day ahead to read, exercise, and maybe conquer the world – or at least…

I have a side I want the world to see. This side of me is shiny, positive, smart, and practically perfect, like Mary Poppins. It’s my A-side, the one I spin for company, acquaintances, and anyone who might catch a glimpse of me from afar. It’s curated, polished, and, let’s be honest…

Retirement is like a second adolescence, only with more naps and hopefully, fewer pimples. We’ve spent decades clocking in, clocking out, and now, suddenly, every day is a Saturday. But with all this newfound freedom, the big question looms…

I was a sucker for firsts – just like every other new mom. The first steps, the first words, the first time my boys, Michael and Sam, slept through the night. Sam, at 2 months old; Michael, at age 8. Sigh. Even their first caterpillar in a jar, oblivious to the coming trauma if it didn’t make…

Let’s talk about the bathroom scale. No, not that bathroom scale; the bathroom rating scale! Over the years, I’ve noticed that some public bathrooms desperately need an upgrade. So, I developed a one-through-ten scale for public bathrooms, rating them for all my friends and family…

Ever notice how the gadgets and gizmos that were supposed to make our lives easier have somehow made them feel more complicated? I don’t know about you, but there are days when I feel like an out-of-place relic, trying to navigate a world…

It began when I was driving home from teaching 3rd graders after a long day. I was about 38 years old. As a child, I must have had deep thoughts, with my nose always in a book, because I had resting “frownie” face. This cultivated deep furrows…

I love having adult children. They’re like the grown-up versions of those little people who used to live in my house, but with jobs and their own mortgages. I count my two adult sons and their wives among my closest friends. We share laughs, beers…