The art of a long life requires more than regular doctor visits and a few tummy crunches. To stay out trouble or avoid disappointment, one needs to be a good listener. As a student of our English language, I’m aware of how often words are used to hide rather than reveal meaning. Jus

One of my favorite financial writers is Allan Sloan. He authors a column for Fortune magazine and does occasional commentary on OPB’s Nightly Business Report. What makes him different from other prognosticators is his humor, which is more Puckish than cynical. “What fools these mo

In the introduction to a new volume of George Orwell’s diaries, Christopher Hitchens, recently deceased, drew insights from the man whom many consider to be one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. Almost everyone has read at least one of Orwell’s social commentaries, Ani

I sat down to read yesterday after wrangling with my computer all morning. My intention was to slump into my easy chair and be carried away by the thoughts of someone else. Unfortunately, I picked up the latest copy of Harpers. In it, Thomas Frank was railing against the high cost of

Recently, I had coffee with a friend whose first novel will be out in September. Naturally, she’s anxious to see her manuscript in print and still can’t believe her good luck in finding a publisher. When we met over steaming mugs of coffee, she still seemed dazed. I know her feeli

A few of you have asked about how to tune into my upcoming interview about my books on CBS radio,  this Wednesday, August 15 at noon EST.  Here is the information on where to find me on the radio dial.  Time, of course, depends upon your part of the country.  The program also air

Want to announce that I will be interviewed by Donna Briggs, Wednesday, August 15 at noon on the CBS radio program Life Talk.  If you can tune into this national broadcast, please do.   And keep your fingers crossed for me, okay?

Last weekend, I sat reading an excerpt from Eloisa James’ new book, Paris in Love. She was writing about the year she, her husband and two children spent in France. The story was full of the delights and horrors of living abroad and being required to live outside one’s comfort zon

I received a phone call last night from a charity organization I have supported for years. Donations were down and the nonprofit was confronted by a special need. Could I make an additional contribution? It was the third call of this kind I’d received from similar organizations in a

Almost everyone knows Hamlet’s soliloquy on death, “To Be or Not to Be,” with its sinister doubts about the hereafter. But, if research is to be believed, those who have encountered the Grim Reaper and survived seem to benefit from the experience. I can testify to this fact. Yea