Author: Judy Masseywww.babyboomerangst.com Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos Seems before you know it you are treading the well-worn path to old age and the travel spurs more than its share of reflection. Freelance writer, Judy Massey, offers the thoughts of notable personalities like The Dalai Lama, Margaret Atwood, John Lennon, Woody Allen, to name a few in her compilation of wise and truthful revelations. Author H.G. Wells turned a phrase or two on the experience of aging: “We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and a mystery.”—and... Read More

Author: Susan Santangelowww.babyboomermysteries.com Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos Jim Andrews is approaching retirement age and his wife, Carol, is more than a little concerned. The vision of a dawdling husband, with more than enough time on his hands, replays itself until she becomes resolute in her quest to keep him either working as long as possible, or with unmistakable, clear-cut plans for his retirement. She meddles, with a slight hand, hoping for some desirable results, but instead exacts more change than she ever thought possible….and it’s not all that positive! Jim lands in the middle... Read More

Author: Lori Quarantawww.aneurysmsurvivor.com Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos A portion of the proceeds from this book go to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation which, in and of itself, is an extremely good reason to purchase it. Lori Quaranta\’s harrowing experience is detailed in God\’s Funny That Way and is a tribute to the spirit of survival, the grace of God, the loving support of friends, and the wonders of modern medicine. Ruptured brain aneurysms claim 90% of their victims so it is no small miracle that Quaranta survived. She moves the reader from the moments just before the rupture... Read More

Hot flashes vary in intensity for different women but they remain among the most talked about symptoms of menopause, mostly because they are so uncomfortable. About 80% of the women in America experience flashes (hot flushes that move through the body in a wave) and night sweats (waking up with wet pjs and bed sheets) during the peri-menopause and menopause years. Some women have them for a few short years while others still experience them into their 70s. Hot flashes happen when the body produces less estrogen and progesterone for a variety of reasons caused by aging. Flashing can last from a... Read More

“Respect the site; do not impose your will on it.” –From The Winterthur Garden: Henry Francis du Pont\’s Romance with the Land, by Denise Magnani Visit the Winterthur Garden in the heart of the picturesque Brandywine Valley and the artistic vision of its creator cannot fail to impress—and inspire. Scion of Delaware\’s industrialist du Pont family, Henry Francis du Pont enjoyed a lifelong passion for horticulture and the principles of garden design, reflected throughout the 60-acre garden, with its year-round succession of blooms that enhance the natural setting of the family\’s... Read More

When you connect with and experience your own feelings while, at the same time, taking in the feelings of the one you love, you are walking straight into the open heartspace of real romance. That’s where you find the special connections you make with one another, whether small and subtle or grand and brilliant. The following story from our own courtship reveals much about the fear we all have of being truly intimate and surrendering to love. It also tells of the real romance that’s available whenever you open yourself and let someone in — even when limited by your own fears and resistance.... Read More

From the iron age to nearly the industrial age, blacksmiths prospered. Villagers needed plows, shovels, iron tires for wagons, nails and tools to build their homes, all of which the blacksmiths forged. They needed their horses and oxen shod and their tools repaired. Being a blacksmith was a sound professional choice. Yet despite flourishing for centuries, this vital profession was all but eliminated in a few generations. Who could envision affordable mass-produced items lining the shelves of big box stores, or anticipate societal changes incomprehensible at the time? How many current professions... Read More

Here are some words, gathered from various places, that you won\’t find on the SAT: SKIERs – parents who are spending their kids\’ inheritance FANBY – find a new backyard (serial relocators) HALF-BACKS – people who move from the northern parts of the country to the far southern parts (such as Florida), then move “half-back” because it was too hot for them RUPPIES – retired urban people JHOBBIES – turning a hobby into a job (e.g. taking yoga classes to teaching yoga; making jewelry for fun to making jewelry to sell) PLAYCHECK – working for money to spend on... Read More

As if it were yesterday, I can vividly remember Thanksgivings at my Brooklyn, New York brownstone. My mother didn\’t fancy herself a cook or a great hostess. She also had no interest in learning any new skills in this area. The holiday was therefore always marred by her negative energy. She made no bones about letting my dad and I know what a big project this holiday was and how little she enjoyed it. In retrospect of course I understand that she was run by her fears and sense of inadequacy. Too bad my mom missed the era of self-help books, Dr. Phil and the Food Channel. Who knows what might... Read More

One of my telephone consultation clients, Maria, said it for all of us, “I have no idea what I want and I am really tired.” First we addressed the tiredness because caring for our precious body that we lug around is top priority. We chatted about how she starts her day, what she is doing around three o\’clock and how does she end her evening? From the evaluation of a day in the life, she chose what would be possible for her to shift. Ok, you are curious and want to know what she chose. She set her timer to get up from her work desk and walk around. In the evening, she walked the neighborhood... Read More