Author Archives: stillalife

Unknown's avatar

About stillalife

I retired June 30, 2010 after working for 40 years in the field of education and most recently doing school public relations/community outreach in a mid-size urban school district. I wrote for superintendents and school board members. Now I'm writing for me and I hope for you. In this blog, I offer my own views coupled with the latest research on how to preserve our physical and mental health as we age, delve into issues most of us over 50 can relate to like noticing wrinkles and forgetting where we left our keys, discuss the pros and cons of different ways to engage our minds and bodies after we leave the workplace, and throw in an occasional book review, all peppered with a touch of humor, irony, and just plain silliness. Also, I'm on the third draft of my second novel since retirement.

Looking back to move forward

Posted on December 16, 2025 by stillalife

‘Tis the time of year to feel gratitude and express it. Or so they say. “But,” you counter, “With all the horrible things happening in the nation and around the world, and political conflicts in my family, the pressure of … Continue reading →

Posted in health, inspiration, support and caring, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Music is good for just about everything

Posted on November 26, 2025 by stillalife

“While in my heart there swells a song,       And I can sing.” James Weldon Johnson At last Sunday’s church service, our new ukulele group had its debut performance, which consisted of accompanying the audience’s singing of a gatha (Sanskrit for song or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Homage to Trees

Posted on October 30, 2025 by stillalife

“If you go down in the woods today, You’re sure of a big surprise.” Admittedly, “The Teddy Bears Picnic” was probably never considered for a Grammy, but in one sentence it expresses what many of us feel as we walk … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Will your life measure up?”

Posted on October 12, 2025 by stillalife

Ponce de Leon never found the Fountain of Youth. Can current-day billionaires achieve what he couldn’t? Lately, I’ve been fascinated with reports about billionaires devoting themselves and their fortunes to the quest of a longer life. An article in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

AI: ghost in the machine ?

Posted on September 14, 2025 by stillalife

AI is messing with me. Here’s my evidence. Last week, using my early attempts at dictating* a scene for a mystery novel (a joint project with a friend), I ended up with about five pages of text. I highlighted a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Dictation

Posted on September 1, 2025 by stillalife

About ten days ago I subscribed to a blog about writing, and then began receiving emails from the blogger, Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer. The emails highlighted her mission to convince writers to dictate their novels, rather than compose them by fingers … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What day is it?

Posted on August 16, 2025 by stillalife

After taking a walk this morning, a friend and I were sitting on a bench outside a woodland cafe enjoying our hot drinks when she mentioned that she needed to clean out her garage and get rid of boxes and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

“Summertime”

Posted on August 1, 2025 by stillalife

Recently, several friends suggested I return to blogging after a two-year lull. I quit because after staying home for months, as Covid fears began to fade, I ran out of anything to say beyond, “Yea! I can go to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Oh, do they want your feedback

Posted on September 11, 2023 by stillalife

“How did we do?” The question might come from your doctor or dentist, your bank, credit card company, and any other organization you do business with.  They all want your feedback.  Sometimes the request is to click on a series … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, humor | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

My three-cents worth

Posted on August 18, 2023 by stillalife

I love what is known, quaintly, as “customer service.” I’m old enough to vaguely remember that at one time it involved dialing a company’s phone number, and being greeted by someone who wanted to help by answering your question or … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, memories, technology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments