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We talked in our last blog about the importance of gathering around the family dinner table. This blog will take a metaphorical look at “taking our seats at the table” whether siblings in our families, or as citizens in our communities and in the world. We spend a great deal of time discussing people we admire-- writers, medical professionals, scientists, architects, chefs, designers, performers, educators, politicians and so on. Some are notable because they took their seat at the table to produce works, ideas, a movement, invention, something heroic or political at just the right moment in our culture and...

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...