There, I Said It!
Zoom: When Can We Go Back to Face-to-Face Meetings?
I've participated in a lot of Zoom meetings over the past twelve months. Mostly, professional meetings with other writers. And though it's a great way to connect, there is a downside. For one, Zoom projects your "live" image on the screen. This means you're forced to...
Is Someone Talking? Who? Where?
It happened again. I walked into a store and someone called out "hello" and I had no idea where they were. Why? Because everyone in the store, including me, was wearing a face mask. And, since I'm deaf in my left ear, I need some visual clue to know who is talking....
Ten Tips To Make 2021 The Best Year Ever
Let's face it. 2020 was no fun. So, as we think about 2021, here are some suggestions to make things a bit brighter: Stop racing through the store like you're on Supermarket Sweep (does anyone remember that game show?). If you're wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer,...
If You Can’t Say Something Nice…
I've been thinking lately about the lessons I learned from my parents. They were a preachy twosome. Always imparting some sort of wisdom. Did I always listen? Of course not. What kid ever does? And yet, somehow, I've internalized the advice. Which can make the world a...
Is It Too Late To Die Young?
As another birthday approaches, it has occurred to me that certain options are quickly closing. For instance, I just might be too old to die young. I used to worry that could happen. But then, I lived through AIDS. A very scary time. When my first partner died at the...
The Holiday Trip of a Lifetime!
If you're like me, you won't be traveling this holiday season. No large family gatherings. No European vacations. And no time spent mingling with friends. But, if you have a great imagination, you can really go anywhere. And let's face it. It's just good common sense...
Novel Walking? Is That A Real Thing?
Something strange is going on in our house. Sometimes, the garage door is up in the afternoon. Sometimes, a cabinet door is open. The other day, I found a grilling tool in the silverware drawer. Each one of these occurrences is usually followed by a loud, "Jeff?"...
But I Don’t Like Walking
Some people are fierce. They hike, run, bike—and push their limits. And then some people are more like me. They don't even like to walk. Now, I'm not talking about the kind of walking that takes you from the sofa to the refrigerator. I do that often enough and with...
Goodbye to The Sign Wars
The election is finally over. The robocalls have stopped. No more text messages asking for money. No more reminders to get out and vote. The campaigns were successful. There was a record turnout. Now, we can all go back to using our smartphones for things that truly...