Newest Blog Entries RSS

Nobody likes a snob—except, perhaps, other snobs. Yet, on some level, there’s a bit of snobbery in each of us.  The topic came up after Margaret reread recently Little Dorrit, a Dicken’s novel that satirizes the British class system with its hierarchy and titles. This got us thinking about what it means to be a snob. Down deep, we think snobbery is borne of insecurity that surfaces as the “I am better than you” syndrome. Put someone down and maybe you feel better. Or do you?  Snobs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and forms. There are wine snobs....

Have you ever been with someone—perhaps a person you haven’t seen in ages—and all they do is talk about themselves? They never stop long enough to ask you anything about you.  It seems we've experienced more me-isms of late. Although we’re good listeners who typically don’t like talking about ourselves, except when our books require touting, we really enjoy hearing about you and what you're up to. Honestly. But please. We’re not invisible.  A couple who met Margaret and her then new boyfriend--post her late husband’s death—spent the entire evening blabbing about themselves, their business, their kids and grandkids. They...

I hate to admit this, but romance can lead to more than a pitter patter in your heart and head. As we begin to turn up the heat, our waistbands may start to expand as the pounds mount--and lots of them. I’ll explain why. I’ve seen this happen to me since the guy, “Fixup,” I’ve been dating loves to eat, cook at home, and dine out. Food has become one of the main ingredients in the feast and fuel of our romance.    The pounds started piling on with the pizzas and toppings Fixup and I made each Saturday for...

There are huge events in our lives that removed those we love. Top on Margaret’s list---her husband who died six years ago. Barbara lost a great deal when after a 31-year-marriage her husband walked out. Most recently, she lost the use of her right dominant arm and hand. That is temporary, of course, but for now it’s a gargantuan loss.  So, the other day, when we were feeling sorry for ourselves we shifted gears. In the spirit of healthy thinking, we started to dwell on what we have and our blessings. This quickly segued into all the things in life...

I had never seriously gardened before I bought my most recent home. Yes, I had selected rose bushes and hydrangeas to plant in former yards, and suggested to my then-husband how a colorful grouping of statuesque tulips could circle one large tree in honor of our younger daughter’s April birth 33 years ago. However, I had never thought of developing a garden from scratch since I prided myself on being a city gal.  After buying my most recent house as a single on a very visible, well traveled street in my village, I knew that the barren site needed to...