Category Archives: personal reflections

DNA reveals your roots

Posted on October 4, 2016 by stillalife

A few years ago, my husband and I landed in Amsterdam after 19 days in Spain and Morocco, and soon were strolling along the city streets gawking at the canals, the skinny houses, and the people. After a few minutes, he said, … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Presidential election is a stressor

Posted on September 27, 2016 by stillalife

I have a stress problem that has lasted for many months. Lately, I’ve been searching for a reason to explain it.  I have what many older adults dream of: a peaceful retirement where much of my time is under my control, which is why my rising level of … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, personal reflections | 8 Comments

Back to school memories live on

Posted on September 13, 2016 by stillalife

For most of us, the anniversary of a particular event, experience, birthday, or a death of an influential person in our lives will trigger memories. Most recently, the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy brought back many memories of that day … Continue reading →

Posted in changes after retirement, current events/themes, memories, personal reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Dress Codes

Posted on July 18, 2016 by stillalife

A friend and I meet often at a Starbucks in an office park and enjoy the parade of office and tech workers coming in for their morning coffee break. We first revel in the fact that they’re working and we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, current events/themes, personal reflections | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Energize the brain

Posted on June 5, 2016 by stillalife

At least once a week, something triggers a memory from my past. Yesterday, a friend’s photos of her trip to Norway immediately transported me back to Malmo, Sweden, where my husband and I spent a month 40+ years ago.   I … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, memories, personal reflections | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Bucket lists for the young and the old

Posted on May 18, 2016 by stillalife

Have you created a list of things you want to accomplish before you die, a so-called bucket list? I haven’t. At this point in my life, a bucket list would seem like an extension of the “things to do” lists … Continue reading →

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

Rejection as a group experience

Posted on April 27, 2016 by stillalife

Last weekend, after receiving two rejections from literary agents within twenty-four hours, I felt discouraged. I decided that if I was discouraged after only a few rejections, I’d better learn how to prepare for more. So what do the mental … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections, writing | 3 Comments

Too much attention or not enough?

Posted on April 21, 2016 by stillalife

What do the following  situations have in common? Losing one’s reading glasses a few times a day? Or obsessing over a past disappointment. They both involve attention: either not paying enough attention or paying too much. Not paying attention is … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

When nature isn’t nurtured

Posted on April 4, 2016 by stillalife

Last week, when the rain stopped for a few days and the long-hidden sun reappeared, I decided that I couldn’t afford to let spring pass me by.  I had to get outside and out of town, even if only a … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, personal reflections | 1 Comment

How to talk to old people

Posted on March 29, 2016 by stillalife

While I was working, I never had occasion to work with a supervisor younger than I was.  Which is why I can’t speak personally to issues that arise when older workers have bosses from the millennial generation. (Depending on the … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, current events/themes, intergenerational, personal reflections, technology | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments