When I happily deck my halls with Christmas decorations, I put away the things that normally stand in their places. It’s like the regular house goes on pause for a few weeks. In January, I am usually equally happy to swap things out again, but this year, I was not. Some things were OK, but others just seemed to sit there like tired old lumps. Or maybe it was me. I was … [Read more...]

I have not been rafting on the Amazon. I have not been on a photo safari, and certainly not the other kind. I imagine the guides on these trips prep for the day by loading the weapons (defensive), making sure the water canisters are filled and reminding everyone to slather on the mosquito repellant. The tour guides I have encountered needed other skills. They had … [Read more...]

Today is National Clean Out Your Closet Day. OK, I just made that up, but it might be just what our country needs right now. I’m not a hoarder. Having one too many items on my kitchen counter makes my throat close up. Still, my possessions have a tendency to accumulate over time. You know how it goes. Things are on sale. Things are cute. Pretty soon you find your … [Read more...]

Last week, I received some disappointing news: My upcoming trip to the pineapple plantation will include only a sampling snack instead of the lunch we were promised. Bummer. Oh yes, my sister and brother-in-law and I soon will be on the road again, or more precisely, on a ship. This adventure has been expertly timed to rescue my siblings from the harsh Illinois winter. … [Read more...]

I felt so happy leaving a basketball game last weekend that I felt compelled to drive thru and buy myself a chocolate milkshake on the way home. I even said yes to the whipped cream and cherry. Now, I have been to the NCAA tournament three times. Loved every minute of it. I plan to go this year, too, and am pretty much counting the days. But I have to tell you, … [Read more...]