When I turned 39, I received my first letter from AARP.  Looking down at the envelope, I was stunned.  Me?  Middle Aged?  There’d been a mistake. If my response seemed melodramatic, then, imagine how I reacted when a crematorium invited me to lunch, recently. My heart stopped. �

Sometimes, in the late afternoons, a woman comes down from the second floor of the retirement center to sit in our small café. She always orders a glass of white wine.  With the chilled liquid in front of her,  she gazes into the tall trees that sway outside the picture windows. 

A few weeks ago, my mother turned 102.  After the celebration, she kissed my cheek and said, “You are a good daughter.”  I always feel guilty when she says that because I’d promised myself, years ago if she lived long enough to need round the clock care, I’d refuse to allow

In case anyone needs a reminder, the rate of dementia among the elderly in the western world is on the decline.  Experts speculate better diets and increased levels of education are part of the explanation. (Click)  We can count this medical achievement as one of many that have come

Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, is changing the toy’s image.  Today, instead of the anorexic model of the past, she’s manufactured in different body shapes and varying skin colors.  Also added to the line is Barbie’s Inspiring Women, likenesses of accomplished w

Our President, Donald Trump, wants to close our southern border.  According to him. our country is full.  Tell that to the Dakotas, to the emptied towns in mid-America, and to the plains of Wyoming.  With an aging population approaching twice that of the younger one, the country is

Last week, a call from my doctor’s office left me stunned.  My annual checkup was due, so I’d called earlier to ask if  I could pick my “poop” test in advance.  I like to get medical “stuff” out of the way before the warm weather. Imagine my surprise when the nurse repl

In spite of or because of my age, I get compliments on my complexion from time to time. Unlike Olivia de Haviland, who refused to reveal a secret ingredient in her night cream, I have not secret.  Perhaps, my luck stems from a Latin heritage.  Perhaps, I’ve benefited from a vegeta

“You look better in person than you do in your blog picture,” said a former high school student of mine from 40 years ago.  He was in town for a class reunion and looked me up.  His remark I took to be gracious rather than true.  The blog  picture is me at 72.  At 82, I’ve

Poor Barbara Streisand.  While promoting her new music album  Wall, she made a boo-boo.  She said white women didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential election because they didn’t know their minds and followed the advice of their husbands.  The remark  caught