Monthly Archives: May 2012

Give me a break

Posted on May 30, 2012 by stillalife

The poem, “What She Said,” by former Poet Laureate Billy Collins (found in his most recent book, horoscopes for the dead), opens this way: When he told me he expected me to pay for dinner, I was like give me a break.  Collins goes … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, health, humor | Tagged , | 1 Comment

How to start the summer

Posted on May 28, 2012 by stillalife

What’s your idea of a good way to kick off the summer? I know that summer is supposed to be lazy, the period when you kick back, read a good book and daydream. That, however is the summer of myth. … Continue reading →

Posted in luxury of time, no escape from goals, seasons | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sleep, the elixir

Posted on May 25, 2012 by stillalife

If Hamlet had lived longer, instead of saying “to sleep perchance to dream,” he might have said, “to lie in bed, perchance to sleep.” The latter happens to me more often than I’d like. Sleep is underrated, despite the badge … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, health | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Months for every age, disease, and body part

Posted on May 23, 2012 by stillalife

May is “Older Americans Month.” (OA) Let’s celebrate, like we do when National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month rolls around, along with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, and Brain Awareness and World Breastfeeding weeks. (Note which body parts receive recognition for the … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, humor | Tagged | 1 Comment

My mother was right

Posted on May 21, 2012 by stillalife

When I was younger, I had no idea how much posture mattered. “Stand up straight” was a popular mantra for my mother, who grew ever more attached to it during my teenage years. Since I’m from the generation that didn’t … Continue reading →

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Milestones in our lives

Posted on May 18, 2012 by stillalife

Today we’re celebrating our fortieth wedding anniversary and we forgot to make plans. I turned to the internet for guidance. The ruby is the gemstone for the fortieth and the nasturtium is the flower. Unfortunately, my nasturtiums are a month away … Continue reading →

Posted in friends and family, support and caring | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

According to eMed Expert, music can help us heal from depression, fatigue, pain, high blood pressure, headaches, and stress, as well as improve athletic performance, productivity, and concentration, boost immunity and support recovery from a stroke. In other words, it … Continue reading →

Posted on May 16, 2012 by stillalife | 3 Comments

Earthy Delights

Posted on May 14, 2012 by stillalife

Gardening is a pursuit I dream about loving.  I don’t really love it.  I just wish I did, because gardeners who do, achieve spectacular results.  So far this year my attempts at garden beautification include spending a few hours weeding. Regrettably, … Continue reading →

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

Not a Hallmark mother

Posted on May 11, 2012 by stillalife

“Mother” is a word that conjures up — at least in the minds of purchasers of cards from Hallmark — a collective image of a full-time nurturer, always loving, supportive, interested in everything her children do and say, always patient. She … Continue reading →

Posted in friends and family | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Email is the problem

Posted on May 9, 2012 by stillalife

Has someone ever advised you to “go with the flow,” meaning to “relax and accept a situation, without trying to alter or control it”?   These days “flow” has a different meaning, coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who has been called the “world’s leading … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections, writing | 2 Comments