Gripes about Interactions with Others

Okay, I’m definitely no spring chicken at 91, but does that mean that supermarket checkout clerks and other store clerks should address me as “sweetie,” honey,” “dearie,” and like terms in an affectionate tone. I do not appreciate these terms of endearment from strangers. It seems like I am not being regarded as a fullyContinue reading “Gripes about Interactions with Others”

Our Thanksgiving Traditions

What would Thanksgiving be without traditions? Every year it is the same which makes the holiday so much easier. First, we get up early and my son, Ken, and I truss our 20+ pound turkey. Of course, this is after we have our annual debate aided by Google of what the cooking temperature should be.Continue reading “Our Thanksgiving Traditions”

BAD DAY IN BEVERLY HILLS

The sun is shining. The day seemed perfect yesterday, but it wasn’t. Oops, there is water leaking on the kitchen counter, and it appears that it could be coming from my upstairs bathroom. Solution: plumber will come tomorrow. Oops #2: Lily, grandchild, just tested positive for Covid, and she spent the night cuddling with Martha,Continue reading “BAD DAY IN BEVERLY HILLS”

A Funny Way to Become an Author

It was at the meeting with the advisors for our joint Reading Specialist degree advisors that co-author Peggy of 45 years now told them we were going to sell our research. And so we created a workbook and sent a sample to publishers. Twenty-three of them promptly sent us rejection letters. However, one invited usContinue reading “A Funny Way to Become an Author”

Our Dear Teacher Column Started due to Miss Manners and Avocado Dip

For 44 years, Peggy and I have been writing partners, we have written educational books, apps and a newspaper advice column together. Here’s how we decided to become newspaper columnists. One day, 37 years ago, we were researching how to handle different speaking situations while writing a book on how to speak effectively. We uncoveredContinue reading “Our Dear Teacher Column Started due to Miss Manners and Avocado Dip”

How to Welcome a Daughter-in-Law

We gave our daughter-in-law, Shari, a very unique introduction to our family. On Christmas morning, we all took off for a brief stay in Yosemite National Park. Our daughter, Martha, was driving, and my husband was sitting in the backseat resting his sprained and bandaged ankle on the front console next to Shari. Soon theContinue reading “How to Welcome a Daughter-in-Law”