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    Travel is supposed to be relaxing, a time to get away from home. Peaceful. No pressure. A change of environment and a chance to escape the humdrum routines of daily living-work, exercise, doctor's appointments, cooking, cleaning, volunteering and other obligations. Most of us haven't been away for months or even years because of the pandemic. We desperately need some R & R. And yet...many of us opt to vacation with family which can mean multigenerational togetherness. Is this relaxing? Restful? Traveling en famille is a challenge when there are so many ages, different restrictions in food preferences, activity...

Our friends talk of moving as we age—downsizing, finding  a home on one level, relocating to be closer to their children and grandchildren, escaping the cold and shoveling snow, fleeing high real estate taxes, and more.  We may not be sure where and when we will go, but we know how to assess our needs and make the transition when we do, from prior experience and conversations with friends and family who’ve done so.  Here’s what we learned from our last moves, for Barbara 12 years ago this month (July) to a village where she knew nobody, and for Margaret...

It is axiomatic. When Noah took two of everything on his ark, it reinforced the notion that people should go in pairs. We agree. We live in a couples' society. It's great to have a significant other, plus a bestie or two. Scientists say it helps us live longer to have companionship and connections.  However, we have discovered from time to time, an outing alone can be rewarding, and a refreshing change of pace when all we pay attention to our own set of eyes and ears. We have found it incredibly healthy to do so and learn who our...

  We’ve been watching lots of TV over the two-plus pandemic years, some for pure enjoyment and entertainment and some to keep us abreast of world and national events.  Among the longest running series we’ve sat through, Grey’s Anatomy has given us enough medical knowledge almost to earn our M.D.s. (Full disclosure: Barbara watches the series religiously, nightly, while Margaret has seen only a few episodes.) Regardless, as a result of watching the show, we’ve  both become quasi knowledgeable about livers, brains, hearts, appendages and what to do if legs or arms must be amputated. It’s also heightened our awareness...

  Fear is no fun, but it can also be a gift. We dislike the feeling of fright when watching a TV show or movie. We want to cover our eyes. But that isn't the kind of fear we're addressing here. This is fear that lingers and involves major life decisions. It can make us anxious for days, churn our stomachs and cause us to wonder how we'll get through it. But we do. We can conquer it, or it dissipates. A friend told Margaret when waiting for skin cancer test results, "The only way to deal with fear is...