“I still don’t have what I want,” says Rita Moreno, star of stage, screen, and television and also a winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an Oscar, and a Kennedy Center Honor recipient. (“The Queen,” by Erik Maza, Town&Country, March 2022, pg. 84.) I understood w

A friend who recently moved to the Midwest to be with her daughter and toddler grandson sent me an email today. Part of it read,  “… it’s always a joy to see my grandson, as active, bouncy, and as curious as he may be but I’m really quite exhausted and at this point would

Writing about facelifts, which I did recently, I came across one woman who described the nip-and-tuck she’d arranged during the pandemic as similar to a “shopping spree.” The menu of options was so varied, she encouraged one of her daughters to join her to make similar improveme

Because of the coronavirus, she was wearing a mask which made it difficult for me to identify her, at first.  She was walking her dog, which I did recognize, but the cane her right hand came as a surprise. At 97, she’d eschewed using one until now.     Keeping an appropriate dis

Recently, I had a meeting with a woman about her upcoming presentation at the free summer workshops I give each year. She’s an expert on ways to use video to promote book sales. As we talked, I mentioned the title of an old film, then slapped one hand to my face after I’d done so.

I’m at an age when my young friends begin to worry about me. They note with puzzlement that I decline their invitations to see a play, a movie or go to the symphony.  Am I depressed?  Am I ill? The answer is “none of the above.” I’m old. I eschew the hurly-burly of street bu

At the retirement center where I live, I recently sat down beside a woman who suffers from tremors. She was enjoying a late lunch by herself which made me wonder if she might find my presence a distraction. Her smile reassured me. As I settled in, I recalled the first time we’d met,

I’ve  always been a cautious driver and age hasn’t improved my courage.  Knowing  my reaction times are slowing,  my hearing fading and my periphery vision narrowing, I take extra precautions, which include driving at the lawful speed even if the road ahead 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

The new series for Just Read It, begins May 1.  That’s the 10 minute YouTube program where I discuss New York Times Best Sellers with local writers. To give the program a facelift, I’ve  been working with two new cameramen, three cameras and bold lighting.  The improvements are