We are faced with many joys, failures, and frustrations, big and small, just as a normal part of living a normal human life. The important thing is how we deal with them every day. “With ease and grace,” says my friend Heather, “ease and grace.”  I think she’s on to something really important there. I promised myself I […]

7:43 AM Dear Abby, I want to smell nice.  I want to have a scent that I love and that tells the world that I am present, in a pleasant way–a signature smell.  But how in the world does anyone pick one that is right for them?  Should I smell more like Elizabeth Taylor than Taylor […]

I can think of very little in the world that is of more value to me than my friends.  I’m not a wildly social person, so I cannot count my friends in big numbers but, boy, do I love those I have.  I distinguish between casual acquaintances and real friends; the acquaintance number is larger, but of […]

There must be thousands of bloggers out there who post something every single day of their lives and never think it’s difficult.  I am NOT one of them.  I think it’s hard as heck, but as you know, I am COMMITTED to doing it.  What you might not know (but will be relieved to hear) is […]

If you tell someone that you’re a vegan, they tend to feel sorry for you.  I’m here today to testify that it ain’t that bad, man, just ain’t that bad.  Your lifestyle is always your choice and if I were unhappy with this one I would choose something different.  But I am very far from unhappy with it.  […]

I’ve put these Maya Angelou words down in many different places, but it’s always worthwhile to experience them again.  They are wise and deep and philosophical.  I’m serious when I say this is how I wish to live my life, and I’m getting better and better at it.  Here’s her wisdom, aimed especially I think, to […]

I love the Christmas season, always have and always will.  I have wonderful memories of when the kids were little, and then our now-oldest grandkids were little.  Our house in Richardson was “the house” for many years, the central place where we all gathered. We didn’t always celebrate exactly on the 25th; Christmas was when […]