Am I too old for long hair, Forever 21 clothes?

March 12, 2017

I remember some years back a very smart gentleman in our circle of friends named Tom penned a song for his beautiful wife, Paulette. If memory serves, the official title was “Is 40 Too Old for Pigtails?” The song and couple were and remain, adorable. As my husband, Kerry, celebrates his “something”-first birthday (it was yesterday, actually) and I also take a moment to honor one very special lady, Jean Ritchie, who turns 90 years young today, Tom’s song resonates in my mind. Not specifically for the respective birthday boy and girl, but just generally speaking. How old is ...

Proud mama stays afloat with praises for team

March 5, 2017

I can’t swim. I am not being modest or exaggerating for emphasis. I can’t swim. I am 48 years old, the daughter of a man who was a longtime YMCA swim instructor and rescue diver for the sheriff’s department, and a woman who spent many of her formative years on the shores and in the waves of Lake Erie. I took lessons at the neighborhood pool as a kid. I’ve been snorkeling several times. We have a boat. I love being on and near water. And still, I cannot swim. I attribute it to a near-drowning incident when I was about 8 and waded into the lake a little further than I ...

Brother’s birthday luncheon is no party

February 26, 2017

I have the world’s sweetest big brother. The kind of guy who will buy a magazine for me because it contains a story about my childhood obsession, James Dean. The sort of person who will insist on walking me to my car if we leave an event simultaneously. The teddy bear of a dude who will JACK YOU UP if you mess with his baby sister. #loveyoudanny And so, since it was his big day last week and because our extended family members were unable to come together as a group until a few days after the fact, I assembled a microcosm of us for a quick weekday noon mini-party at a local ...

Unreal lives of ‘Real Housewives’ not worth trading for

February 19, 2017

I’m not proud of it. But I don’t deny it, either. Fine. I watch The “Real Housewives of New York” … and the one set in Orange County (the original) … and the one based in Atlanta … and the one shot in New Jersey … and of course, the granddaddy of ’em all, in my opinion, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” I suppose I didn’t catch the versions set in Washington, D.C., or Dallas, but for pretty much the rest of them, including the “Ladies of London,” I can name at least three of the women featured by first and last name. All right, I can name them ...

Why is it still looking a lot like Christmas?

February 12, 2017

It’s been nearly 50 days. That’s getting dangerously close to two full months, people. In that time, we’ve already inaugurated a new president, said goodbye to beloved actors Mary Tyler Moore, John Hurt and Miguel Ferrer, and watched Tom Brady win yet another Super Bowl. Sigh. The biggest IKEA store in America opened in California. Madonna told the world she’s fantasized about blowing up the White House. We put another blasted Groundhog Day behind us, thankfully. Lots of stuff has happened since December 25, 2016 regionally, nationally, globally. I mean, a ton. But ...

Ironies, fiery Crock-Pots pepper life with twists

February 5, 2017

First there was the fact that the (arguably) two NFL teams I care the least about in the entire league are playing in tonight’s Super Bowl. Frankly, I’m just watching for Lady Gaga at halftime and to check out this year’s commercials. Speaking of which, I saw a commercial encouraging me to bypass the meat counter / produce section at the market only to pay someone to deliver “fresh” boxed food to my house so I can cook it for dinner. The people at Blue Apron (et al) must be evil geniuses, no? I digress. When a stink bug landed on my spray perfume bottle, that just sealed ...