Monthly Archives: March 2012

Killiing the chill of a Seattle day

Posted on March 31, 2012 by stillalife

Crocheting has changed a lot since my grandmother made doilies — like the sample to the left — to cover the tops of chests of drawers and set on sofa armrests. New York artist Xenobia Bailey has taken crocheting to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Why they’re the “Golden Years”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by stillalife

Ever since a friend recommended an “affordable” hotel in Madrid and told me the price, I’ve been in shock. For those of you who plan to travel in your “Golden Years,” be assured that you’ll need a lot of gold … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, travel | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

To the victor belongs the carrots

Posted on March 25, 2012 by stillalife

“Victory Garden” once referred to the vegetable and fruit gardens American civilians planted in backyards, parks and other public places to relieve pressure on those producing food for our troops during World War I and World War II.  Today, my … Continue reading →

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New Spam fan

Posted on March 23, 2012 by stillalife

I realize that after I savored yesterday’s delicious Italian lunch — lasagna, a spinach dish, gnocchi with pesto, artichokes, sangria, wine and tiramisu — it’s almost callous today to bring up the subject of Spam. But I must, because Blundering … Continue reading →

Posted in humor | Tagged | 5 Comments

A wrinkle of time

Posted on March 20, 2012 by stillalife

The best places for wrinkles are the surfaces of prunes, raisins, cerebral cortices, some kinds of mushrooms, and shar peis. Yet this week, dozens of fine lines marring my cheeks appeared without my permission or any advanced warning.  They are easiest to see … Continue reading →

Posted in aging and appearance, humor | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Timeless or less time?

Posted on March 17, 2012 by stillalife

Within the last 12 months I’ve had friends diagnosed with cancer (the latest being the man who has cut my hair for more than 30 years), one die from cancer, and, thankfully, two successfully treated for cancer.  I expect that … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, changes after retirement, personal reflections | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Learning from a disaster

Posted on March 14, 2012 by stillalife

I attended a memorial service marking the first anniversary of the disastrous earthquake/tsunami in Japan.  The keynote speaker noted, as news commentators did this time last year, that “the reaction and response of the people of Japan — especially the sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, personal reflections | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Pills for prejudice?

Posted on March 12, 2012 by stillalife

A pill to mediate racism?  That’s a possibility suggested in a recent study by an Oxford, England, psychologist and a philosopher, on the effect of a beta blocker on subconscious racial prejudices. (A beta blocker is a drug for heart patients that, among other … Continue reading →

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A truffle for the teacher

Posted on March 9, 2012 by stillalife

Is there ever an age at which students no longer care what their teacher thinks about their work?  My answer is no.  I thought of this after reviewing the feedback filling the margins of a scene from my slowly evolving … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections | Tagged | 1 Comment

Music can heal, but not the instruments

Posted on March 8, 2012 by stillalife

Apparently, listening to and playing music does wonders for our memories and our mental health.  So says “lifehacker,” whose blog I landed on, but have no recollection how.  Obviously I need to listen to music more often if I’m to … Continue reading →

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