Monthly Archives: May 2011

Other people’s diaries

Posted on May 31, 2011 by stillalife

Other people’s diaries are often more interesting than our own.  I drew this conclusion recently after reading a summary by my friend Walter, professor emeritus, expert on Ottoman poetry and speaker of many languages, based on diaries he recently obtained and … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, luxury of time | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Haiku for the generations

Posted on May 28, 2011 by stillalife

Haiku is one form of poetry that both  children and adults can understand and create themselves;  it is a great tool for helping us focus on our surroundings, especially when we travel.  So says “The Traveling Haiku Contest,” the cover article by … Continue reading →

Posted in books or movies, inspiration | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Play with your toes

Posted on May 25, 2011 by stillalife

I have grown taller since yesterday, or at least that’s how I feel.  As one who was 5’8″ for much of her adult life, it has been crushing to hear my doctor’s nurse reporting aloud my shrinkage, first to 5’7 … Continue reading →

Posted in health | Tagged | 2 Comments

A “taste” of the future?

Posted on May 23, 2011 by stillalife

I ate lunch at a Senior Center today and wondered if I’d find myself spending much time at a place like this in the future and, if so, if I would enjoy being there.  I didn’t feel particularly comfortable today, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging | Tagged | 1 Comment

Formula for success?

Posted on May 22, 2011 by stillalife

In early May, I urged readers to capture their life stories in writing.  I said it was a way to leave a legacy and possibly to help future generations understand aspects of the past.  I should have added that when you … Continue reading →

Posted in journaling | Tagged , | 1 Comment

“Cave of Forgotten Dreams”

Posted on May 19, 2011 by stillalife

When I was younger I wanted to visit the Lascaux caves in Southern France to get as close as possible to the famous prehistoric paintings on the walls. Unfortunately, the caves, discovered in 1942 were closed to the public in 1963, shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in books or movies | Tagged | 3 Comments

Why do it yourself?

Posted on May 16, 2011 by stillalife

I have always been a dilettante when it comes to arts and craft.  I feel inspired by the work talented and creative people produce and I want to replicate what they have done even when I have no experience, talent … Continue reading →

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Growing up fundamentalist

Posted on May 13, 2011 by stillalife

Imagine growing up thinking that you could be sent to Hell,  a site of “eternal torment, literal flames and wailing and gnashing of teeth, ” for being a Catholic, a Communist, a Democrat, liberal, “modernist” interpreter of the Bible, an … Continue reading →

Posted in books or movies | Tagged | 1 Comment

Reality summed up in a walk

Posted on May 13, 2011 by stillalife

I went on a neighborhood walk this morning, where I first saw this carpet of petals and blossoms.  A few blocks beyond, a woman pushing a child in a stroller smiled when she saw what I had managed to appropriate … Continue reading →

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It’s hard to plan for the end of the world

Posted on May 8, 2011 by stillalife

Yesterday I read on the National Public Radio (NPR) website that the world is coming to an end on May 21. Apparently there will be a huge earthquake starting on the West Coast (not out of the realm of possibility) … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections | Tagged | 1 Comment