Author Archives: stillalife

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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.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Part II

Posted on December 24, 2020 by stillalife

In my last blog, I reported on assorted “gifts” received during the first twelve days of Christmas. Since then, twelve more days have passed. Still no partridge in a pear tree, but much more to report. On day thirteen, I … Continue reading →

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Twelve days of Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2020 by stillalife

This year, especially, most of us will not be blessed with twelve imaginative Christmas gifts the likes of geese laying, maids milking, and golden rings under our trees.  Reporting on my first twelve days of December, I can say that … Continue reading →

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Missing Pieces

Posted on December 5, 2020 by stillalife

I last posted a blog August 16, which I expected would be the end of a series begun in March about life during a pandemic. Since then, I’ve been working on my novel, the latest version of which went this … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

New normal means new habits

Posted on August 16, 2020 by stillalife

It takes anywhere from eighteen to two hundred fifty-four days to break a habit, say the experts, though depending on how entrenched the habit, it could take longer. More than ten weeks have passed since we’ve been stuck in phases … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, health | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Virus and politics lead to new health challenge

Posted on July 19, 2020 by stillalife

My most recent post, the last of three blogs written in an attempt to add humor to lives quarantined for two months, appeared on May 12. By mid-May, I’d stopped laughing. It’s mid-July now, and little has changed beyond more … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, current events/themes, humor, personal reflections, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life in a virtual world

Posted on May 12, 2020 by stillalife

Two months into semi-quarantine, and it’s impossible to ignore the changes around us. Including my hair color. Recently, I stopped fondling the broccoli at my grocery store and took a moment to look at the people around me. Everyone was … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, current events/themes, personal reflections, writing | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The odd things you can find in your pantry

Posted on April 23, 2020 by stillalife

Unlike many friends, we haven’t yet felt the pull to clean out closets, the garage, or bookshelves — all of which need attention — during this period of semi-quarantine. But recently, shelves of canned and dried foods — piled, stacked, … Continue reading →

Posted in health, humor, personal reflections | 3 Comments

Masks for safety, comfort or style

Posted on April 9, 2020 by stillalife

To wear or not to wear a mask? Like to be or not to be, that is the question. Our president is unwilling to commit. It is up to us to decide. As I’ve said before, trips to the grocery … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Hoarding strange teas and other consequences of Covid-19

Posted on March 29, 2020 by stillalife

It’s been a hundred fifty-one days since restaurants and various sources of entertainment began closing and I’ve become a cranky shut-in.  All right. It’s only been two weeks, but it feels like many more. The highlight and the most fearsome … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Life in Ground Zero

Posted on March 13, 2020 by stillalife

Several weeks ago, or was it several lifetimes, Washington State became Ground Zero in the U.S. for the corona virus, now known as COVID-19. I’m thankful I haven’t caught the virus, since I’m in the age group that is suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes | 8 Comments