Social distance, self-quarantine, an abundance of caution, smize – these are all terms I didn’t hear much prior to the current pandemic.  I knew what they meant, except smize.  That one was new. I found that “smize” is a term coined by Tyra Banks in 2009 on the television show “America’s Next Top Model.”  Smizing […]

Black Panther was not a movie I’d seen.  And I feel embarrassed to admit I knew little of the career of Chadwick Boseman.  When I heard on the news that he had died and the accolades from so many pouring in, I was saddened, impressed and curious about who he was. Chadwick Boseman was born […]

I’ve always liked the song, “I Get by With a Little Help from My Friends.”  John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote it in 1967 and it was the second song on the St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album.  The chorus goes, Do you need anybody?                                     I just need someone to love                                     Could […]

I don’t watch horror movies any more.  I hate that feeling of being scared and out of control, so I just say “No.”  I especially dislike the ones where you think the worst is over, you can take a breath, nothing more horrific can happen, and then, SHOCKER, it does! I’m feeling like that now […]

When I spanked my daughter, Joy, for hitting a friend on the playground, I should have realized she was going to be an attorney when she said to me, “How come I can’t hit him, but you can hit me?” with all the fury her three-year-old soul could muster. I stopped cold, with no answer […]

  “Life is a contact sport.”  Ken Kragen, who produced “We Are the World” in 1985, organized the “Hands Across America” movement in 1986 and managed stars such as Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie, made this phrase famous in his 1994 book, titled the same.  Life is a Contact Sport describes ten career strategies for […]

My Mom’s words come out of my mouth. Not intentionally, they just do. They are buried deep in my brain, and just comes out sometimes. Her sayings like, “Better safe than sorry.” I said it today. I was contemplating a trip to the nursery. Do I really need to go there? How will I feel […]

Toilet Paper and Acts of Kindness Toilet paper hoarding is not a new phenomenon.   A shortage was sparked in 1973 by one of my favorite comedians, Johnny Carson.  The talk show host made a joke about a shortage of toilet paper that led to hoarding and shortages across the United States. In 1973, people were […]

Valentine’s Day that we just celebrated is one of many holidays that pull at our hearts.  Special days that remind us of those we love.  For those that have lost a loved one the first of these special days without their love is often very hard.  They feel not just alone, but may have a […]

Grief Gifts The Okawville Book Club met last Sunday for our yearly post-Christmas party.  It was a wonderful afternoon of fellowship.  The book we’d read was The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle, a real-life story that juxtaposes the frailty of the human spirit with how resilient it can be.  One of […]