Category Archives: personal reflections

Why procrastinate?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by stillalife

Once a month, seconds after my piano lesson ends, I vow to practice daily before the next lesson. A few days later I realize I have an entire month to prepare.  Why practice now? Recently, I watched an animated presentation … Continue reading →

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Law and disorder

Posted on March 5, 2015 by stillalife

I’m still thinking about the jury I sat on in a recent trial, and comparing the experience to legal thrillers where good and evil fight it out in high-stakes cases, the good guys win, and readers/viewers feel justice has been … Continue reading →

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Number 3 not so lucky

Posted on February 24, 2015 by stillalife

Last week, I reported to the county courthouse for jury duty. I didn’t want to go, didn’t want to end up on a long trial, have to cancel plane reservations to Hawaii, forgo work on my novel. I even considered … Continue reading →

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Thinking about our legacies

Posted on December 22, 2014 by stillalife

Only four years after retirement, I sometimes think about legacies, asking myself, “Have I contributed to anything lasting?” When my mother turned eighty, I read the book, “How to Say It to Seniors: Closing the Communication Gap with Our Elders,” … Continue reading →

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Restraining the inner shopper

Posted on December 17, 2014 by stillalife

December is the time of year when we expand our collections of stuff. The problem is that by a certain age, most of us have accumulated enough stuff.  I’m doing my best to keep new stuff out of the house, … Continue reading →

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Driving without a license

Posted on December 11, 2014 by stillalife

I wasn’t expecting to receive a letter a few days before Thanksgiving that began like this: “A recent review of our records shows that as of November 10, 2014, your driver license/ID card is expired.” My birthday is in August, … Continue reading →

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Much to be grateful for

Posted on December 2, 2014 by stillalife

‘Tis the season to be grateful.  When asked, “What are you most grateful for?” people inevitably say “for family and friends.” Adults are reluctant to admit they are also grateful for certain possessions. It sounds so shallow. But there’s nothing … Continue reading →

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European travels 3: losing my cell phone in Haarlem

Posted on October 7, 2014 by stillalife

This is a story about losing my cell phone in the Netherlands last week. Why stay any longer in Haarlem, Netherlands, we asked? Everything we want to see is closed on Mondays. On our walk back to the railway station, … Continue reading →

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A mellow high school reunion

Posted on September 15, 2014 by stillalife

My high school reunion was last Saturday and at first I was skeptical about attending. I haven’t kept in touch with anyone, so at earlier reunions it had been easy to drop in, say hello to a few friends, and … Continue reading →

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

Talking to strangers may be good for your health

Posted on August 18, 2014 by stillalife

Do you ever talk to strangers? My answer would be, “It depends on where I am and on my mood at the time.” My mother, however, would have said, “Always.” She considered the woman selling hot dogs at the Target … Continue reading →

Posted in health, personal reflections, support and caring, technology | 1 Comment