Philosophy
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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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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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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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‘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
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I’D RATHER ROW THAN WADE
Had lunch with a friend this afternoon at a local restaurant and we were seated in a booth. When the food arrived, I suddenly realized just how low my seat was. My chin was almost even with the plate. I asked the waiter for a booster seat. He just looked at me. “A booster seat?” I asked again. “Do you… Read more
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SUNYASHNIKIIS
In 1880, when my great grandmother was born, life expectancy was 40. A Chicago ordinance banned people who were, “diseased, maimed, mutilated, deformed, unsightly or disgusting.” If you were deemed too ugly to be in public, you had to pay a fine of $1 to $50 or go to the poorhouse. Women didn’t have the right to… Read more
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CAST THE FIRST STONE
The closer I get to death, the more I want to live. It’s as if I know there are a certain number of miles left on my feet so I MUST keep moving them in hopes of squeezing in even more. I dance down the aisles of the supermarket. Sing at full volume with the radio. Breathe in every… Read more
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MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE
Homeless people have been around since I was a young girl in the 60’s wandering the streets of New York City. Back then, they were few and far between, sitting quietly beside a sign that read, “Spare change?” Now, they are up front and very center across America. On any given night, half a million people are… Read more
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SHAME ON ME
Just when I think I’m at a stage of life where things are straightforward and clear, I get a curve ball. I’m doing a quick shop at Trader Joe’s. As I enter the produce section, there is a man fondling the bananas. Yes, fondling. He eventually pulls off only one. I’m intrigued. His clothes are ill fitting and shabby and the… Read more
AGEFULLY AGING 