Commentary
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TROUBLE WITH A little ‘t’
I think we should spend less time putting warning labels on products and redirect them onto people. Wouldn’t it be nice if you were out somewhere and someone walked up with a shirt that said, “Caution. Do not engage this guy in conversation. He’s never read a book?” Mine would say, “Be careful what you ask her. No telling what… Read more
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KEEP IT DOWN?
“Your voice is really loud,” a complete stranger said to me yesterday at pickleball. “Yes, I know,” I replied. “I could hear you on the court from here,” he continued. “That’s not surprising,” I said. “We’re only about 6 feet away.” “Well,” he continued, “I also notice you’re wearing headphones.” “Yes,” I replied, “but I haven’t… Read more
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YOUNG AGAIN?
There is no instruction book for aging. The label on an aspirin bottle is infinitely more informative. As if losing your hearing and sight weren’t enough, your brain does odd things. Yesterday, I went into the garage three, separate times. Each time, I brought an item to put in the recycling bin but I knew that wasn’t why… Read more
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REMAIN AND COMPLAIN?
Yes, that’s a woodpecker on the hummingbird feeder. Yesterday, I changed my home office around and switched my bird feeders in order to see them better. Who knew what chaos would ensue? This morning, several woodpeckers landed on the ‘regular’ seed feeder instead of their peanut butter block. After turning their heads in confusion, they bolted. Several finches and… Read more
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TRY THIS AT HOME?
Suddenly, I wake at midnight struggling for breath. After an hour of tossing and turning, I turn on all the lights and pace, certain that will kickstart my breathing. When that fails, I march outside in 29- degree weather, confident the cold will startle my windpipe open. By the time I call 911, two hours… Read more
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LIFE’S LOVELY LABYRINTH
I stumbled upon this labyrinth last week and decided to walk it. Oh, what temptation there was to head straight to the center! But as I took the circuitous route, passing places I’d been but now from a different perspective, I realized how well it parallels life: There is only one way in and one way out. What matters… Read more
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I WANT WHAT SHE’S HAVING
Recently, I asked one of my teenaged clients, “What do you think almost everyone I see has in common?” “They’re all crazy?” he replied. “No,” I said. “They all compare themselves to someone else who has something they don’t.” “Even you?” he asked. “Yes, even me. I would love to be young and strong again, like you. But… Read more
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URGENT CARE?
A recent Harvard report says the U.S. spends more on health care than all the other wealthy democracies in the world. We pay almost four times as much for pharmaceutical drugs as citizens of other developed countries. Hospitals, doctors, and nurses all charge more in the U.S. Interestingly, in spite of all that spending, life expectancy in the U. S.… Read more
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ADD UP THE ‘EXTRAS’
I love to travel. Let me rephrase that. I love being in new places—not necessarily getting to them. We’ve found new ways to add costs to things that shouldn’t be charged for in the first place. Take airline seats. Once they were wide and cushy and fully reclined. Now you have to squeeze into them like a gymnast. Every airline provided three-course meals, including… Read more
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‘REAL’ LOVE
I saw this key next to a brochure promising, “Real Love,” sitting on a bench this morning when I took my walk. It seemed as if they were ‘planted.’ A little contrived, I thought. And yet? There was no one around but me. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find ‘real’ love on a… Read more
AGEFULLY AGING 