Musings of a Shore Life
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Musings On Growing Up a Mid-20th Century Girl
1950s: Everyone argued with each other as the relentless heat irritated the entire family. Dad finally cried, “Enough!” and moved the TV set to a large window facing the backyard. We marched outside, set up lawn chairs facing the screen, and passed bowls of popcorn, hoping the minutest breeze would relieve the heat and humidity. “Great…
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Advertising Space for Rent
I do not keep up with the latest cultural crazes. Occasionally a headline catches my eye and I skim the article. One such recent occurrence informed me of an interesting promotional opportunity: skinvertising. I am not actively seeking employment, but am always open to possibilities. Skinvertising is a marketing tool in which the body is…
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To Market, To Market, a Mexican One
My husband Steve and I enjoyed Ajijic, Mexico, hospitality for two weeks. We wandered city streets, savored local cuisine, window shopped, purchased a couple of keepsakes, and relaxed in the near-perfect climate of warm, sunny days. My knowledge of Spanish is almost non-existent, yet I wanted to absorb some local atmosphere and way of life.…
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A Winter Round-Up from the Best of Boomers
I am home experiencing the cold, wet, windy weather. Not so happily. Hub and I spent two weeks in the ideal climate of Mexico’s Lake Chapala area, enjoying sunny days with temperatures in the 70’s. I was spoiled. No hats, gloves, coats, boots, and no shivering. Every day we took long walks through the town…
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Musings on a Mexican Interlude
Most folks I told I was going to Mexico never heard of Lake Chapala, a region in the middle of the country bordered by mountains. Ajijic, where my husband and I are staying, is not only unknown to many travelers, most of whom gravitate to coastal resorts such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, but difficult…
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Clueless on the Mexican Boardwalk
I felt hot, sweaty, and exhausted after spending hours in the Mexican sun. I tried to stay in the shade and undercover, but the searing heat and the sun‘s southern rays pierced my pallid North American winter skin. Seeking relief, I strolled into a store on the Malecon – the Boardwalk – presenting a particularly…
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My Word and My Resolution for the New Year
My life seems to revolve around my propensity toward procrastination. I am great at making plans, writing to-do lists, then concocting excuses for why I did not do all the things I aspired to do. I have given up on New Year’s resolutions in any serious way. I will not achieve whatever I decide should…
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Musings on the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice, the day with the shortest hours of daylight in the year, has been celebrated by various cultures for thousands of years. The Roman holiday of Saturnalia, the Soyal celebration of the Hopi Indians in Arizona, the ancient Persian festival of Yalda, the Chinese observance of Dong Zhi are just a sampling of…
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Memories of a Manhattan Christmas
My childhood Christmas memories center on my aunt and uncle’s Manhattan apartment, overflowing with relatives, holiday trappings, and delicious food. But before the festivities began, my family had to travel to Manhattan. We lived on Long Island, normally an hour’s drive from Manhattan. Nothing was normal about driving on Christmas Day. New York City roads…
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Best of Boomers Prepare for December Holidays
I am not a fan of the long, dark days of December. But there is an upside – the holidays of Chanukah and Christmas brighten our lives. We light candles to illuminate the darkness. Homes glow, inside and outside, with multi-colored lights. I prefer white, gold, and silver lights. I enjoy driving through dark neighborhoods…
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