I haven’t spent Christmas at home in years, it seems. Chris and I would go to Florida to be with Mom and Dad. This year, with Dad gone and Chris in Australia, Mom and I are going to spend Christmas with Penny and Dick in St. George, UT.  So as much as I love home decorating, I haven’t decorated for Christmas to any extent in … Continue reading HoHoHome Decor

In January 1975 I flew to Australia on a jumbo Qantas jet, every seat filled with young teachers like myself. We were from the US and Canada and we had been offered a free (one way) ticket to Australia plus three years’ salary tax free to help fill in a desperate shortage of teachers in certain states. I was 23 years old, just weeks out of college, … Continue reading Then and now

Yes, I know that’s the title of Nora Ephron’s book from a few years ago. At the time I read it and laughed, because I do think  Ephron is a brilliant writer. And my neck was fine . . . Now I, too, feel bad about my neck. I thought being overweight would limit the effects of age. Or, in effect, the unattractive pudgy neck … Continue reading I feel bad about my neck

My family moved to Geneva, OH, when I was seven years old. The first night in the new house, I remember waking in the middle of the night to the sound of a train, seemingly clacking and moaning in the vicinity of the house next door. It was loud enough to jar me awake from a sound sleep, sitting up abruptly in my bed near … Continue reading Trains and boats

Is there any such thing as a truly new recipe? I kind of doubt it! So with no apologies, here is the best recipe for macaroons that you’re likely to find anywhere, and it’s become such a merging of various recipes, I’m going to take credit for this particular version: Killer Macaroons 21 ozs. sweetened, shredded coconut (bags come in 7- or 14-oz. sizes) about … Continue reading Killer macaroons and a great book

I’m trying to decide where to go with my friend Ann in April. Ann has lived all over the world and visited more places than I can even dream of seeing in my lifetime. She has graciously offered to accompany me wherever I want to go – so far, anyway. I haven’t suggested anything she’s turned down, at any rate. When I think of all … Continue reading ABC travel plan

I’m working (well, sort of) and waiting for my contractor, Doug, to come back. He was looking at the roof, then got in his truck and left. I take that as bad news because he is most likely off at the hardware store buying whatever he needs to repair said roof. The only thing worse than Doug repairing the roof, however, would have been if … Continue reading Marry me, Bob Vila

Remember in “Bridget Jones’ Diary” (book or movie, doesn’t matter) when Bridget talked about taking mini-breaks with boyfriends? She was specifically referring to her wish to escape for a romantic weekend with her very sexy, but lecherous AND faithless boss (Hugh Grant -sigh). She did get her wish, though with a number of near fiascos and embarassing moments I can’t recall right now. Thank God … Continue reading A Spider Mini-Break

I don’t dare look at the date of my last posting. Not that I think anyone’s looking, but this isn’t exactly “dear diary” and I’m not about to write every day about every random thought I may have. And as I write this, there’s something goofy about the screen and as I type, the words disappear behind the column to the right, for instance right after … Continue reading Oh, dear!

I was feeling practically perky the last time I wrote. I was ready to “get cracking” and was feeling “almost normal.” By the way – I promise not to make the use of quotation marks a habit. How “annoying.” Anyway. I just realized I’ve been referring to the September calendar all week. It’s bad enough that I haven’t been completely sure what DAY of the … Continue reading Not cracking, and not normal