Category Archives: books and movies

When to say “yes” and when to say “no”

Posted on January 18, 2018 by stillalife

The subheading for an article in this week’s New Yorker is, “What if self-improvement is making you worse?” This is related to a dilemma I’m experiencing now. Writer Alexandra Schwartz says that approaches to self-help change with the times and … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, changes after retirement, personal reflections, volunteering | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A visit to Hamlet’s castle

Posted on August 9, 2017 by stillalife

This has been my summer of Shakespeare, particularly of “Hamlet.” My obsession with the play began when I learned that our June tour of Scandinavia would take us to Kronborg Castle in Denmark, Shakespeare’s inspiration for Elsinore in “Hamlet.” Shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, personal reflections, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Work habits of creative people, unusual and otherwise

Posted on August 2, 2017 by stillalife

When people find out I’m working on my second novel they often ask about my writing schedule. “Do you have a particular time you write every day?” “Do you start writing as soon as you get up?” “Do you prefer … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, humor, writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The joy of getting rid of things

Posted on July 13, 2015 by stillalife

Clutter drives me nuts, yet other than occasionally going through my closet and sending a few bags of clothing to Goodwill, I don’t do much about it. Someone who believes she has the answer to clutter is Marie Kondo, a … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, inspiration | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Planning a trip with help from Hemingway

Posted on September 11, 2014 by stillalife

Planning a trip is nearly as exciting as traveling. Your anticipation builds, and you become immersed in your destination. All in the comfort of your home, before you spend hours pancaked in an airplane seat or diverted to the wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, travel | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Changing habits

Posted on January 23, 2013 by stillalife

Hundreds of habits allow us to live successfully through the weeks and years of our lives. Except when they don’t. That is, when they hurt our health, our relationships, or our careers. If you think that habits are difficult to change, … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, inspiration, personal reflections | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Introverts in a gregarious world

Posted on December 28, 2012 by stillalife

Now that the holiday season is winding down, I thought I’d take on a more academic topic, especially before the library book on this subject is overdue. Have you noticed lately that the extrovert represents for many the model for … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, memories, personal reflections | 1 Comment

Is dystopian literature like The Hunger Games a new trend?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by stillalife

Is dystopian literature gaining in popularity now and, if so, why?  Dystopian literature refers to stories set in states (according to my on-line dictionary) ones “in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically totalitarian or environmentally degraded ones,” in other words, the opposite of utopian.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Imperfection as a way of life

Posted on August 5, 2011 by stillalife

The Gifts of Imperfection.  Somehow this book ended up on my library request list, although I don’t remember what prompted me to request it.  It was probably the title. I’ve always thought perfection was a gift, so finding a book … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, personal reflections, writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments