Cutting, Keeping & Nurturing the Right Ties, Redux

Things have changed since the original post, but the peace really hasn’t.

I originally wrote this blog post a few years ago about my ex-husband and daughters celebrating our wedding anniversary together. Some people found this pretty weird, and others celebrated our vastly improved relationship since we chose to exit our marriage.

Either way, this is our life and how we choose to live it. Continue reading “Cutting, Keeping & Nurturing the Right Ties, Redux”

DO NOT Pass-over a Gift to Remember

I never pass-over a chance to remember my grandma.

I miss my grandma. Her name was Faye Lazar, but to me, she was either, “Grandma,” or, “Maca.” (My brother, Philip, couldn’t pronounce the word, “grandma.” He pronounced the word, “maca,” and it stuck. Continue reading “DO NOT Pass-over a Gift to Remember”

YOU are the Special Prize.

I just had to finish this before I went to bed. Yesterday morning, I asked my Facebook contacts to wish my Dad, a happy birthday.

I promised that each friend who mentioned my Dad’s obvious likeness to Cary Grant, would win a “special prize.”

Continue reading “YOU are the Special Prize.”

The Boundaries of the Transparent Parent

It’s NOT apparent to a parent as to how transparent a parent should be, right? Continue reading “The Boundaries of the Transparent Parent”

The Real Truth About Area 51

I am 51 years old today. Just a few short days ago, the Pentagon confirmed that Area 51 conspiracy theorists are not actually nutballs after all. Coincidence? I think not. Continue reading “The Real Truth About Area 51”

And, the ‘Worst Mother of the Year Award,’ Goes to…

Not me.

Also, it’s a stupid award that should be banished forever.

Other awards off of the top of my head that must also be destroyed:

Ugliest Woman on Earth Award
Human with the Most Hideous Moles Award
Best Self-Deprecatory Human on Earth Award
Most Unlovable Living Being in Universe Award
Best Aspic and Other Gelatinous Creations Chef Award

Wait. #5 is kind of cool. That one can stay. Continue reading “And, the ‘Worst Mother of the Year Award,’ Goes to…”

An Authentic, Invested, Thanksgiving That May Not be “Happy.”

Not that you’ve asked, but for me, the typical Thanksgiving greeting, reeks of a lack of inclusion of all people. It’s downright platitudinous.

This original post is from several years ago. It’s been edited to reflect this year’s extra weirdness.

A typical greeting on Thanksgiving is, “Happy Thanksgiving,” but I much prefer,

“I wish you a MEANINGFUL Thanksgiving.”

I actually take this tack with most holidays and even just plain old days. This hope for “meaning,” applies this year as much as any other. Many of us are about to embark on a Thanksgiving like no other one in the past. We may be missing our parents, kids, extended family and friends. Still, how many people have felt totally alone even when a pandemic isn’t spiking? Lots and lots.

Not that you’ve asked, but for me, the typical Thanksgiving greeting, reeks of a lack of inclusion of all people. It’s downright platitudinous. Do you really want to say, “Happy Thanksgiving,” to indigenous people? Many Native Americans observe this day, as a day of mourning or “UnThanksgiving.” Continue reading “An Authentic, Invested, Thanksgiving That May Not be “Happy.””

Slamming on the Brakes, Taking a Break, Breaking the Fast & Breaking It Off

I slept right through the breaking of the fast. I had hoped that after breaking the fast this evening, I would have the answer as to whether or not I need to take a break from a man I’ve been seeing for about one month. While I mentioned “breaking it off” in the title of this post, I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m considering “breaking up.” We’ve only been dating a month for crying out loud. We are still in the “getting to know you” stage. While I like this man very much, and for reasons I will not include in this post, I have decided to abruptly slam on the brakes and move forward in a different direction than where I was heading. Continue reading “Slamming on the Brakes, Taking a Break, Breaking the Fast & Breaking It Off”

L’dor Va’dOR(T): ORT Through Generations

One of the most inspiring things about involvement in ORT is that it is so often passed down through families – my own included. I recently had a chance to sit down and talk with two members of another “ORT family” – Dyna Wise and her grandson, Larry Burley. Here’s a recap of our conversation: Continue reading “L’dor Va’dOR(T): ORT Through Generations”

Sickness, Surrender, & Softness

When things feel extra craptastic, I always commit to finding the good in them. I like this about me. I’ve been trying to recover from a bout of viral meningitis and have run the gamut of feelings, (real or imagined): Continue reading “Sickness, Surrender, & Softness”