For me life’s milestones are like millstones—a concrete weight that weighs me down. Milestones remind me that youth is not only fleeting—but at this stage of the game, it’s up and left the building. Pesky milestones, such as birthdays, pop up yearly—and the older you get, they add up at an accelerated pace. All the [...]
This morning I reread the notes I took while listening to a speech at a business function I attended last week. The speaker, Dr. Kathleen Rose (of Gavilan College in CA), talked about how women can become “accidental leaders.” I blogged about the information presented and wanted to make sure I didn’t leave out any [...]
Last week I ran across a list: “The 100 Most Beautiful Words in English.” I think the words were chosen more for their sound and feeling, as opposed their meaning. The list included: Chatoyant – like a cat’s eye Efflorescence – flowering, blooming Evanescent – vanishing quickly Lagniappe – a special kind of gift Mellifluous [...]
While I was searching my archives to find the baseball blogs (yesterday’s post), I saw the one titled “Bernie Madoff, Shoes, and Me: Something in Common.” This one was about (is she repeating herself again?) the reason Bernie bought so much stuff—like yachts, planes, jewelry, and suits. He told a friend it was because when [...]
The answer will save you A LOT of trouble: DON’T! It’s time consuming, back-breaking, messy work. It requires excellent organizational skills—before and during. If you use a mannequin, it falls apart with every clothing change. (And China is a global manufacturing leader? I guess no one told the workers that a square peg goes in [...]
Growing up my mom used to say, “F. Scott Fitzgerald said the key to good housekeeping is to only touch an object once.” She explained this principle: If you take a pair of scissors out of a drawer, when you’re finished using them, put them back in the drawer. Don’t leave them on the counter. [...]
Thomas Hart Benton (1890-1975), an American painter/cartoonist/illustrator most famous for murals depicting America’s current and historical events, is one of my favorite artists. In his paintings I see real people doing real things and sense a vitality in his work. That’s about as detailed as I can get as an art critic. I either like [...]
Earlier this month I wrote a review of the documentary “Waiting for Superman,” about the dismal state of the American educational system today. We’re one of the least successful countries in educating our students. The documentary identified several impediments to learning—with the main culprit being lousy teachers. Unfortunately in the world of teaching—and unfortunately for [...]
Yesterday I wrote about the first bridal shower I ever attended. It was a learning experience. So was the second one I went to—one year later as a college freshman at USC. My dorm roommate for my first semester was a beautiful Mormon girl from Arizona. That first semester she hooked up with a long-haired [...]
Last week I received a wedding invitation from the daughter of a friend. The online bridal registries were listed. Perfect! Click-click-click and you’re finished. If an item is on the list, the bride must want it. No need to worry if you bought the right thing. I remember the first bridal shower I attended. I [...]
