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The Dinner Table: Resetting Our Traditions Among the activities we’ve come to miss most during the year of the pandemic has been gathering around the dinner table with friends and family. If we have a spouse or partner, which Barbara does, she has someone with whom she can converse, share the meal and make eye contact. She certainly doesn’t take this for granted. But early on during the pandemic, meal after meal became so routine that they broke their long-standing habit of not eating in front of the TV. They became adept at juggling plates on their laps while watching...

Breaking up is hard to do, as the Neil Sedaka song says. We’ve all been through this whether breaking up with a romantic or business partner, a spouse, friend or family member. That’s why it’s so tough to admit that we’re thinking of splitting up with some of our Zoom groups—or at least taking a break or not meeting as often. Our Zoom gatherings provide regularity and purpose to our lives during the pandemic when everything else seems to have come apart. For almost a year, we haven’t been able to go to our favorite gyms and spas; see our dearest...

e  This is for all of us who now feel shut out from the vast tent that is the rest of the world. As we have isolated ourselves to remain safe from contracting the coronavirus, we’ve had the opportunity to develop some unsavory, unhealthy habits. Some give us comfort sorely needed in this horribly unsettled time, which isn’t over, even if glimmers of hope are the increased number of vaccines now being given. We lack structure so we create projects to fill our time, sometimes doing so excessively such as lots of baking, cleaning and organizing. However, most days to...

We look at a situation and when we don’t have the facts we might add our own spin. We write an assumption in our head, and sometimes even an alternative scenario. After all, we assume we know other people’s motivation and way of thinking. Here are some familiar assumptions, which we’re sure you can identify with: You don’t hear for a few days from a guy you’re dating. You assume he doesn’t care about you any longer. Oh, well, it was nice while it lasted. You’re in a store and see someone you’ve known for years who doesn’t say “hi.” You...

Through the years, we have learned that people like to be remembered and celebrated for something happy or be consoled when something sad occurs. At these times, we want to be surrounded by loved ones and hugged and even gifted with booze, wine and comfort foods to lift our spirits. When such things happen to people we care about, we don’t understand those who remain silent and do nothing. This isn’t our style. It’s not about how much anybody spends—few can compete with Oprah or Ellen with their TV studio-gift giveaways. But we believe that it’s important to show we...