In the course of a recent holiday luncheon with friends, and right after I had enjoyed my own ramekin of crème brule (sometimes we share our desserts), one of those so-called amigos remarked that sugar kills brain cells. Like a Grinch who had just spoiled my own Christmas, I snuck home in guilty silence to […]
Merry Christmas . . . now enjoy this poisonous treat Read More »
We’ve just crossed Halloween and All-Souls Day off the calendar, but that doesn’t stop a Baby Boomer like me from conjuring up new and irrational death fears. But at least I can laugh at myself in a sort of “whistling through the graveyard” manner. Through the years I’ve borrowed irrational fears from friends and made
Whistling through the graveyard: Some goofy death fears Read More »
I intended to visit my husband’s grave this morning to mark the exact one-year anniversary of his death. Mother Nature had different plans. Another major summer thunderstorm rages, blowing branches out of trees and sending us thunder claps that cause my dogs to scurry for protection under the desk. I intended the cemetery visit to
Major widowhood milestone: The one year anniversary of death Read More »
After my husband died, eating a meal at home changed from a pleasant occasion to a little house of chagrin and horror. It morphed from being balanced nutrition, with at least one veggie and lots of conversation, into a lonely, tasteless thing you only do because you’re supposed to. Thanks to that new life change
Supersize me . . . I’m a widow Read More »
In widowhood I am fast becoming the comic relief for the neighborhood. It’s my Craftsman riding lawnmower’s fault. My late husband always insisted on being the operator of all things with belts, blades and horsepower. The last few years he did hire a man to mow the yard, as his illness and medications made exertion
A widow learns to mow again . . . the hard way Read More »
Rodney Dangerfield had it right. Only he had the wrong gender. I am now finding that being a widow at age 66 is a recipe for invisibility, especially where business dealings are concerned. Then again, maybe it’s not just widowhood, but being older in general. The perfect example of this showed up in a scene
Widow Journal: Older, solo women ‘don’t get no respect’ Read More »
For many recent widows and widowers, the idea of celebrating their first Christmas without their spouse opens a window of dread akin to being force-fed a fruitcake. As unique individuals, we have different ways of dealing with the grief of finding ourselves alone during a holiday dedicated to family celebrations and long-held rituals and traditions.
Where would we be today without cushiony, perforated tissue (disregarding arguments about which way it should be placed on the holder)?
I’m grateful for toilet tissue Read More »
So, I join thousands, perhaps millions, of newly rabid fans in World Series excitement and pride.
Widowhood: Free to be a sports fan again Read More »
Finally, I admitted there was no way to drive two vehicles at once, continue making two payments or hold on to a truck just for snow days.
New chapter continues: Letting go of symbols and possessions Read More »
