“Who do you think you are?” “Don\’t get a swelled head!” “Remember where you came from.” “Think you\’re too good for us?” “People like us don\’t go to places like that.” That list of hold-backs could go on and on. And every one of us-including you- has been subjected to some form of commandment to […]

…by Julie Clark Robinson         Usually I can write my way out of any kind of emotional burden. I\’ve learned that when my chest is heavy, if I just give myself enough time at the keyboard, the problem invariably ends up on the paper in front of me – not stuck in a knot in […]

…by Mary Pearsall Are you thoroughly and utterly confused about the different types of fat – what you should avoid and what you should include in your diet? Join the club! Recent research on the health advantages and disadvantages of various fats and oils has left the majority of us confused about what to take […]

…by Prill Boyle This has been my “year of yes.” I said yes to Africa when my Peace Corps friend invited me, yes to Amsterdam when my husband asked, and even yes to speech-giving lessons when a woman I met at a party offered them. After years of practicing saying no, I\’m loving saying yes. […]

Is Singleness a Blessing or a Curse? I think many single women looking at the title of this month\’s column are likely to take exception to the thought that being single is a gift. Unless, of course, they have just extricated themselves from an abusive situation; in which case, they are breathing a momentary sigh […]

By Brian H. Breuel Putting aside a college fund for your grandchildren is sensible and admirable, but remember to enrich their lives and yours in the here and now. I would imagine every grandparent has thought, if not promised, that their grandchild will have opportunities that only we as grandparents can provide. And as unlikely […]

A friend recently gave me a sign that says, “The Queen is not accepting an audience today.” And today is one of those days. At least until my language improves. (Insert heavy-duty, royal sigh here) Have you ever bought a product that required “some light assembly” only to find that the manufacturer speaks with forked […]

Since the last two medical columns were about heart disease and the risk factors for it, Janet and I decided that it made sense to talk about those individual risk factors in detail. I\’ll begin with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This is another of those health problems which most often has no […]

Since the last two medical columns were about heart disease and the risk factors for it, Janet and I decided that it made sense to talk about those individual risk factors in detail. I\’ll begin with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This is another of those health problems which most often has no […]

As you know from last month\’s column, talking with an aging loved one about thorny topics can be fraught with snags and pitfalls! So thorny, in fact, that many family members will either never try . . . until there\’s a crisis. Or they will try and fail and drop the subject . . . […]