Category: Lifestyle

Throughout my career I read constantly. I read professional and industry journals and publications. I read books about leadership, business, and education. I reviewed websites and online articles. You get the picture.  My guess is you also read information necessary to keep you informed and successful.  Once I retired, I believed I would read all those books in my wall of bookshelves that I never had time to sit with.

My excitement for reading waned as I faced the reality of retirement. After a few months, however, I realized that I missed not only reading but people to “unpack” what I had just read.  So, I attempted to start of book club. After a few false starts, I ended up with some fellow readers. Some really just wanted the comradery; others wanted an intellectual outlet. Over time, I settled into a group who decided to meet for coffee and discussion.

Often, I am asked: “how does your book club select the books to read?”  This is one of my favorite features of the book club I am in.  Every six months, we bring potential titles to a discussion. Rather than limiting ourselves to a particular genre, anything is an option. We discuss the books based on their authors, reviews, and lists on which they appear. As such, we have read historical fiction, memoirs, non-fiction, and even a “beach read” here and there. We have enjoyed Pulitzer Prize and other winning titles and self-published tomes. Many of the books I would otherwise not have read if not for sharing the love of reading and discussion with others.

Reading can open your eyes and heart to ideas and worlds you have never visited. Unfortunately, the percent of people who read for pleasure during an average day has dropped 12% since 2004. That figures reflects not only books but also audiobooks, e-books, and magazines. Those interviewed find they spend time scrolling social media or watching television.  If you find yourself among those who would like to read more but struggle to get started, here are a few tips.

Start with the Right Book. Don’t start with War and Peace or some other doorstop. Rather select something that may bring your joy. Look for a variety of places to find titles that may be of interest. I subscribe to several book list recommendations or follow the link when someone points me to another list. You can get recommendations from friends, your local librarian, and online communities (there are a lot!). One free list I receive regularly is “Readworthy by BookBub.”

Set a reading routine. Schedule a certain time of day that you believe you would enjoy “taking a break.” Plan to read a set number of pages, a chapter, or a specified amount of time. Start small. Determine a particular place that you will also read. This special location signals that it is time to read. Leave the phone in another room or put it on silent for your reading period.

Experiment with formats. E-books or audio books offer an alternative to traditional paper books. Many libraries offer electronic versions at no charge.  Audio books allow you to listen to a book while doing household chores or taking a walk (although for safety purposes I would avoid having earbuds in while walking.)

Set a reading goal. If you are a goal-oriented person, attempting to reach a certain number of books may be just the motivation you need! However, you may want to use social media or a reading tracker to encourage you to keep at it. This year one of my reading goals is to read the entire Bible in a year. I found a tracker (The Bible Recap) that suggests what to read each day and includes a short video reviewing what I read. Additionally, I set a goal to read 24 books.

Give yourself permission to skip a read. This one is the hardest for me! But reading should not feel like a burden.  If you find you are not enjoying a book, you are not obligated to finish it. A male friend of mine once told me he thought women seemed to feel they owe the author to finish a book.  Maybe he is right. I’m working on that!

All-in-all, reading offers me a chance to expand my creative thinking, introduces me to perspectives I may not have considered, and allows me to slow down and relax for a few minutes. Maybe it will do the same for you. Grab a cup of tea, a lightweight throw, and a book.  You may find you are a reader after all.

The panic on my PA’s face said it all. My cholesterol is way too high. She all but said I would die any minute if I didn’t get on a statin. I smiled and told her I was first diagnosed with high cholesterol when I was 40. Now, thirty years later, I still have high cholesterol.

Then, as now, the “doctor” tells me to avoid fried food. Cut out red meat. Eliminate carbs. Really?! I have been a vegetarian most of my life. The “avoid” list will not help me because I already “avoid” those foods. Doctors are not educated in nutrition. Their advice says what not to do without suggestions on what to do; other than take pharmaceuticals.

“A cholesterol diagnosis is not just about numbers on a lab report. It challenges how you see your body, your habits, and your future. It can quietly undermine your confidence, making you feel as though control has slipped out of your hands.” *

Every time I get the blood test results, it is the same advice. So I continue to watch YouTube videos, read articles, and research potential “cures.” Recently, I came across the Portfolio Diet, developed by Dr. David J. A. Jenkins, the nutrition scientist and physician who developed the glycemic index. Dr. Jenkins has what seems to be a “formula” for cholesterol reduction.  His approach “combines four categories of cholesterol-lowering foods into a daily ‘portfolio’, much like diversifying investments to achieve a stronger overall result.” *

Statins do not cure high cholesterol; they simply inhibit the liver from creating it. I wonder what makes my liver create so much? Hmmm.

The Portfolio approach combines four cholesterol-lowering components. They are viscous fiber, plant sterols, plant protein, and nuts. Each of these components work with LDL in different ways. They block absorption, increase excretion, and help clear cholesterol from the blood.

Interestingly, this diet was first published about 25 years ago. Why am I just now hearing about it? When I went in search of spread with plant sterols added, the manager at Natural Grocers had never heard of the diet, either.

For my approach to living, the protein (legumes, beans), fiber (grains, vegetables), and nuts are easy.  Plant sterols are in fruits and vegetables but according to Dr. Jenkins, one needs 2 grams per day – more than one could get just through eating.  So, I will continue to research.

Meanwhile, I will eat my almost vegan diet and hope the next blood test turns out a little better. At the least, it is fun to have a research quest to fill the days of snow and cold, all while knowing I am doing the best I can for my internal health. Stay tuned!

*Quote is from *The Portfolio Diet dr. David Jenkins* by David J. Martins RDN. Printed in Coppel, Texas, January, 2026.

Mary Ann

8.5 Million People – All Unique! 

If you are walking down the street in New York City, you may see just about anything.  It may stop you in your tracks.  However, if you are looking around, no one else seems to be very interested.  Everyone in NYC is unique, so no one stand out as you might imagine.  There are characters everywhere, and we are going to meet some in this blog.  

In Time Square, there is a host of characters trying to charm the tourists.  You will find Elmo and Cookie Monster and Spiderman.  There is also the Naked Cowboy with a strategically placed guitar, so he remains PG for the children.  These characters are famous, but they do not even begin to capture the real characters of the city. 

As the fashion capital of the world, designers share their collections a few times a year during Fashion Weeks.  These creative individuals find inspiration everywhere, but in the streets of NYC, unique treasure can be discovered.  Sometimes on the subway, you will spot a young girl impeccably dressed in vintage clothes or sporting timeless accessories in a new way.  They are living fashion.  When I first got to NYC, long summer scarves were worn everywhere.  I believe, Jennifer Amastin, was big on them at the time.  So, of course, I had to get some in every color. Even though they were light weight, they were hot in the humid NYC summer.  This trend was somewhat short-lived, and I have a box of the scarves to prove it.  However, you see how a look becomes fashion.  I also love the girls who wear short skirts and stilettos.  It is not easy walking miles on concreate in 4-, 5-, or 6-inch heels, and Lower Manhattan has cobblestone streets.  They are kind of urban mountain climbers.  How do they do it?  If I were young when I worked there, I would have done it too!

The first December I was working in NYC, I had to go into the city for a work event.  As I sat on the subway train, a Santa Claus entered the train.  I thought, Santa must be on the way to work to spread a little Christmas cheer for children.  Then a second Santa got on the next stop, and by the time, I got to New York from Jersey City, the whole car was full of Santas. Something was going on.  I apparently did not get the memo that the world was dressed as Santa Claus today.  I found out that it was SantaCon, an event held in early December where everyone dresses like Santa, and they do a bar crawl from Mid-town to Greenwich Village for charity and FUN!  There are all kind Christmas characters – lots of elves and a particularly cute group of eight pretty girls dressed as reindeers.   SantaCons are held throughout the country, but as with everything, NYC does it in a big way!

There are two other events that are also full of characters.  Each March, there is a reverse migration of characters from New York to Hoboken, NJ, where St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated.  There are lot of leprechauns on the subways and ferries. There is a parade, lots of green everywhere, and bar crawls ensues.  During Pride Week in June, people are everywhere in costumes.  Again, there is a parade with floats full of very good-looking men – always fun to watch and see how creative everyone is.  

Still, the most-memorable character I ever saw and who is my all-time favorite, even beating Santa Claus, is a tall, stately, African American gentleman.  I would see him on the PATH as we were both commuting between NYC and Jersey City.  He was one-of-the -kind.  The first time I saw him, he was dressed entirely in chartreuse, green shag fur.  From the top of his head down to his shoes, he was green. He wore a green top hat which was exaggerated in size and carried a walking stick.  No one seemed to notice him, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him.  

The next time I saw him, he was dressed entirely in dalmatian print – white with black spots.  Again, he was wearing a large top hat and strutting with his walking stick.  I loved his panache. His fashion flair just made me happy.  The last time I saw him he was crossing the street in Jersey City.  This time he was dressed in red fake fur.  It was the same outfit just a different color.  I can imagine what his closet looked like and how he must muse each day what to wear.  I never saw him again.  I was always on the lookout for him.  I would have loved to talk to him.  He optimized what it means to be a unique NYC character.  Isn’t it wonderful that there is a place where you can be who you are, and no one seems to be concerned? 

New York City is the fashion capital or the business capital or finance capital or the publishing capital or the entertainment capital of the world.  It is also the character capital of the world.  Full of unique people just living their lives. 

Mary Ann and Cynthia

It is that time of year for remembering the past year and looking ahead to the new one.  Last year we did a blog on our 2025 favorite things, and we thought we would do it again for 2026.  Maybe it will give you some ideas for 2026.  There are a lot of 20,20,20s in that paragraph.

Nest Candles – You may have discovered this line of candles and their delicious smells.  I am totally in love with the Birchwood Pine Reed Diffuser.  I discovered it for Christmas 2024.  It makes the whole house smell like Christmas.   It is perfect for the entire winter season.  The candles and the diffuser are a bit pricey.  However, the products last a long time, and if you watch the website (Nest.com), the Nest company have great sales.  After last Christmas, I bought the one I am using this year at a good discount.  I am going to do it again this year.  The diffuser is well-packed, and if you put it in a dark place, it will be ready when you are ready to use it.  They also ran a Black Friday special this year with good prices.  

 

Krebs Christmas Ornaments – I have had these Christmas balls on my tree for years.  They are beautifully made in gorgeous colors, unique colors that can transform a tree. They can be found on their website, christmasbykrebs.com, and of course, Amazon carries them. It is a high quality product at a reasonable price that you can enjoy for years.

American Spoon – I shared this company last year and their wonderful Holiday Jam.  This year, I tried their Bourbon Butterscotch sauce and Candied Pecans.  Use both for a delicious topping for ice cream or pound cakes. American Spoon’s products are just yummy!  I don’t think you can go wrong. The website is different from the name – spoon.com 

Yo Mama Marinara Sauce – I discovered this pasta sauce this year when I was looking for a healthy marinara sauce with few ingredients and no additives.  I tried a jar, and now Yo Mama is part of my pantry.  Spaghetti never tasted so good.  In preparing this blurb, I found that the company has a whole range of products – alfredo sauce, BBQ sauce, pizza sauce, and a variety of favors for their marinara.  I look forward to trying them all.  It is always fun to find tasty, simple products.

Egg Omelet Dish – I saw this little pottery item in the Uncommon Goods Catalog.  It claimed to cook a mini egg omelet in 45 seconds.  What a quick way to have protein in the morning, and it fits perfectly in a bagel or English muffin.  Spray vegetable oil in the little dish, whip up an egg and add cheese, bacon bits, peppers, onions, or any other veggie.  Pour the mixture into the dish and put in the microwave for 45 seconds.  Viola, you have a perfect egg to eat alone or in a sandwich. The Omelet Dishes are made by Holman Pottery.  You can purchase them from their website, holmanpottery.com, at Uncommongoods.com, and Amazon carries the dishes as well.  They are around $25.  

Having sensitive skin I shy away from most scented products. But there are a few I can use without fear of developing rashes.  One such product is from Natural Grocers – Lavendar Epsom Salts. I use it once or twice a week while soaking in the bathtub. I keep a canister with a small scoop by the bathtub, so the salts are read to use when the mood strikes. I simply put a few scoops under the warm running water and let them dissolve as the tub fills. Then I step into luxury for a 20-minute soak. Relaxing!

doTerra is an essential oil company that certifies its oils are pure. doTerra means “gift of the earth” in Latin. The company provides work for people across the globe, helping small businesses thrive while growing herbs worldwide. The products are expensive, but well worth the money. I diffuse essential oils in my office and bedroom every day. Two products I use extensively are the Deep Blue Rub to relieve muscle discomfort and the Breathe Respiratory Drops when my throat is scratchy or I feel an allergy or cold coming on. The scents are pleasant and I know I’m getting quality products when I buy from doTerra.

Using stickers activates my inner child.  My planner is replete with stickers marking appointments, reminders, and elevating my calendar.  I especially appreciate Bloom Stickers. They are fun, colorful, and meaningful. Bloom Stickers come in a variety of themed packages. Often, they accompany Bloom Planners. I have used the Bloom financial tracking planner and stickers in addition to the yearly planners.  You can find Bloom products at https://bloomplanners.com/ .

Another favorite is Thoughtfully ( https://www.thoughtfully.com/ ). This company has curated gift sets that are reasonably priced. My favorites, of course, are the Thoughtfully Gourmet. These sets comprise miniature samples of multiple products such as olive oil, salts, and teas. I like these because it gives me a chance to try different flavors without ending up with large quantities of things I may not use again. Another fun use of these mini sets is to use them for advent calendar boxes.  The small footprint of the items makes inclusion in the advent box perfect. And, you can use them for favors. This year I made nutcracker shaped breadsticks which I packaged with a small bottle of olive oil to use as a dipping oil. Fun and useful favor from an annual Christmas brunch.

One of my most favorite “things” is Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/ This is a company that has figured out what customers want and how to treat customers. Some people complain about the membership fee, but if you use the company a lot you will actually save quite a lot on shipping alone. The ability to order and receive most products within a few days is satisfying. The return process is easy and customer service personnel are empowered to make decisions about refunds. I am grateful that Jeff Bezos and his associates created a system of ordering, delivering, and returning that makes purchases so much easier.

There you have it, friends. Now you know a little more about Mary Ann and me – the things we enjoy and the products we use. What are some of your favorite things?

Mary Ann

While traveling in the South of France with friends, we decided to take a cooking class.  It was held at a winery, and it all seemed so romantic and adventuresome. First however, we were going to the Farmer’s market in Aix-en-Provence to get the food we needed to prepare for our dinner.  It was farm-to-table which is most of the meals in France. 

The market was full of stalls that held produce of fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, red meat, breads and pastries, and of course, cheese.  It was a feast for the eye!  The cheese monger was an older gentleman whose white hair and beard looked like an unruly goat with hair sticking out everywhere.  He was beautiful.  Just the kind of picture you want to take to remember a day at the market.  So, I was sneaking around trying to get the perfect shot.  He, however, was on to me and kept ducking or turning his head.  I just was not going to get a picture of this” beautiful” man. No luck!

We met up with the chef who took us to the various stalls to buy the ingredients.  The chef explained how to choose the perfect ingredients for our dinner such as selecting a monk fish – boy, one ugly fish!  Then we moved to the cheese stall where the “goat” man reigned.  I was coming face-to-face with the man I was trying to photograph.  He looked me in the eye, and I looked him in the eye.  We totally recognized each other.   I was so embarrassed turning every shade of red, because he knew what I was trying to do.  I spoke to the chef asking him to apologize for me.  I was just plain rude to this man getting into his personal space regardless how enticing the picture would have been.  The chef told the cheese man how sorry I was.  As it turned out, the week before, he had been manhandled by a lady from Germany who took “selfies” of this poor man who just wanted to sell his cheese. The German woman shook him so when I came around with camera in hand, he thought I would do the same things.  The goat man and I smiled at each other, but I don’t think he really trusted me.  He went on to explain through the chef how the cheese was aged, and we tasted the difference – all very interesting!  I then slinged away. I never did get a picture of the cheese or the cheese monger. 

We continued shopping and then departed to the winery cooking the afternoon away in the creation of an excellent meal.  We sampled their delicious wines, and it truly was a memorable meal. As we departed, they sent us off with three bottles of wine and the recipes.  Yummy!

I did learn a valuable lesson that day about photographing native people.  Tourists are the paparazzi of the average man.  You must respect them.  They are not a building or vista that is there to photograph.  They are living, breathing people with feelings.  Since then, I have always asked if I could take a person’s picture.  I did always ask for permission to photograph children – too many weird adults out there who could use the pictures in a bad way.  For the most part, people like to be photographed and some of my most interesting shots from any trip are of the people who live there. 

This blog has been a lesson not to be the paparazzi of the native people of any country.  It makes tourists live up to the ugly American reputation or in this case, the ugly German!  Just ask and accept the answer they give you.  You will find most people are kind. Smiles are universal!   

Mary Ann 

I got the best birthday present, and I am sharing it with you as it could be a great Christmas gift as well especially if you need a gift for an animal lover.  It is a beaded bracelet featuring an animal such as a polar bear, an elephant, a giraffe, a cheetah, or manatees. There are 19 animals to choose from and new animals are added frequently.  The bracelets are from a company called Fahlo.  I got a polar bear bracelet.

When your purchase a bracelet, you also adopt a real animal that you can track in its habitat on your phone or tablet. You just download the app which is free.  I received a polar bear bracelet with a card telling me about Bobbie, my gifted bear.  She is a mother who has raised several cubs to adulthood.  Bobbie lives near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada – the Polar Bear Capital of the World.  Churchill has been on my bucket list for 30 plus years, and now, I have a little bit of it on my wrist.  I check on Bobbie every day or two, and she does move around.  You can see everywhere she has been over the last few months.  She is waiting right now for the Hudson Bay to freeze, so she can go seal hunting to survive the winter and provide for her cubs.

Fahlo has partnered with various conservation groups that they support with a share of the profits from bracelets and other merchandise.  My bracelet supports Polar Bears International.  This company makes the public aware of the various animals, many that are endangered, and then supports the group who study and protect the animals.  The animals are tagged with very humane protocols, and you can read about all of this on the website and on your app once you sign up for your animal.  Animals such as elephants give you tracking info that is a few weeks old to keep the poachers from locating a vulnerable animal in real time – smart!

The bracelets are each $16.95 which I think is a very fair price.  There is a wide array of beads to select the perfect gift for someone.  They have sales all the time so you can get them even cheaper.  I plan to give a cheetah bracelet and a manatee bracelet for Christmas gifts this year.  They are interesting and unique gifts that help animals.  You can make a difference, however small, with your bracelet purchase, and it will keep your animal or animals top of mind.  Have fun shopping and making the world a bit better. 

A Doggone City!

Mary Ann

One thing that you notice in New York City, it has gone to the dogs!  There are dogs everywhere. There is also dog do-do everywhere so watch where you step. You are supposed to curb your dog, but not everyone follows the rules.  However, it is not as bad as Paris. 

There are all kinds of dogs.  French Bulldogs are a favorite.  You are surprised with Burmese Mountain Dogs – apparently, they are excellent apartment dogs.  Just about every kind of dog you can imagine live in NYC. When you see an Irish Setter trotting down the street, you wonder how a hunting dog finds space to run. There are lots of rescues with suspect lineage. Then there are the Designer Dogs – a deliberate cross breeding of two pedigrees dogs to create a new breed.  Maltipoos, Labradoodles, Cockapoos, Pomskys, and on and on are the “new” breeds.  All are quite cute.  There are pet shops that specialize in Designer Dogs.  

On the streets of NYC, there are bowls of water in front of restaurants for furry customers. There are specialty services for dogs that include Doggie Day Care, Doggie Gyms, Pet Sitters, Shuttle Service, Groomers with salons that rivel human salons, and vets with clinics and mobile units.  Dog walkers are walking dogs all over the city with solo clients and groups of 3 or more.  The dogs all seem to get along well – it is kind of a pack mentality.  Some dogs are on a walk in a stroller.  I guess getting some fresh air.   Dog parks dot the city scape where dog people gather and friendships bloom.

We had a school dog that on Mondays had play dates in Central Park with his other dog friends.  The dog loved it, and I am sure he knew when it was Monday.  The rest of the week the dog loved being everyone’s pet at school.  Many of the little boutiques in the city have a dog that minds the shop.  It adds charm to the shopping experience.  Dogs are everyshere.

There were all kinds of Doggie Shops with normal pet shop items; however, they had a large selection of outfits accessorized with sparkly jewels.  All kinds of “shoes” were available which is not a bad idea on city sidewalks – hot cement in the summer and salt on dog pads in the winter.  It can prevent issues for the dogs.  There are colorful canine raincoats and boots that deck gray rainy city sidewalks.   There are several dog bakeries with custom dog biscuits among many other doggie treats.  (The picture below is of two Italian Greyhounds dressed in matching PJs on a cold Winter’s day. Just too cute!)

The dog subculture is everywhere now.  It is just more noticeable in New York because the population is so dense with people and dogs.  New York is also innovative with new dog services and the like.  It is fun to people watch in the city, but dog watching is more fun! You might just get a slobbery kiss while you watch.  New York City is an interesting place, but it is truly a doggone city!

“Hello. My name is [insert your name]”. This is the beginning of a conversation with a someone we are meeting for the first time. Or, when we make a phone call we say, “this is [insert your name]. I am calling to inquired about xyz”. And what do we say when we see a baby for the first time? You’ve got it! “Oh what a sweet little one. What is her/his name?” Our names identify us as unique. They give us a place in society. Some believe that a name defines a person. But I will leave that for another conversation.

My family tends to assign names to inanimate objects, especially those with which we interact often. As with many people, all of my family members assign names to their cars. My grandson’s Mustang is Natasha. My sister’s Lexus is Pearl. My new SUV is Avandra – she is so named as Avandra is the goddess of Freedom, Adventure, and Travel – so the name is fitting, of course. (Avandra and I recently completed her first road trip. We shared 2,997 miles together on this little jaunt.)

The deck on the back of my house is the Urban Oasis. Mary Ann’s backyard is Little Provence. We often text or email each other and mention we spent time in these spaces. The women in my family have an annual get-together early in December. We call ourselves the Tinsel Tribe.

When mom was taking physical therapy after the third hospital stay within a year’s time, she was learning to use her walker. She commented that she was working very hard on her PT as she wanted to walk without the aid of the walker. Her physical therapist told her “I am sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but you are going to be married to that thing for the rest of your life.”  We laughed.

I told mom, if she was going to be married to the walker, she had better give him a name. From that point forward, it became George. Then she named her transport wheelchair Rosella. The names became so commonplace that the hospice nurses and aides and the entire family just talked about George and Rosella as if they were additional people. Lily, the aide who bathed mom would say, “Get George. It’s time to take a shower.” My cousin pondered, “where is Rosella? Let’s take your mom out to the Urban Oasis.” And so it went.

To be honest, I have to take a breath occasionally when I realize other people don’t name their inanimate props the way we do. It seems impersonal. On the other hand, I guess we seem a little crazy.  But think about it.  Isn’t it just as meaningful to say, “have you seen Alex?” as it is to say “I can’t find my phone?”

Mary Ann, Cynthia, and Friends

There are endless numbers of ABC lists, many made into books.  We enjoy reading them often coming up with our own ideas for each of the letters.   Cynthia and I decided to write the ABCs for the Silver Sage Sisters, so we started compiling a list.  I had a few gatherings with other SSS, so I asked them for their ideas.  Some were aspirational and others were practical voicing concerns. Some thoughts were just funny and yet others were nuggets of wisdom.  The following list is a collective of input.  See if you agree — or did you discover other possibilities?  I am sure that you could add a few words of your own.  This list is a snapshot of growing older:

A – Adaptable, Absent-minded – where are those glasses, Acts of kindness, Staying active, Agony, Assisted Living

B – Brave, Breathe, Bedtime ritual, Beautiful journey, Bone Density Tests, Birding, Baby Boomers, Brain Freeze- what is that word?

C – Caring, Creative, Cataracts, Cruises, Crotchety, Chronic Conditions, Crepe-like skin, Curious, Compression socks, COLA

D – Decadent, Dependence on Depends, Dementia, Dancing, Diets or Not, Doctors appointments

E – Elegant, Eyesight failing, Exercise, Elder 

F – Fearless, Flexibility, Fun, Friends, Family, Faith, Sometimes the f-word just fits, Face lift, False teeth, Falling apart

G – Grace, Gray Hair, Gratitude, Genuine, Gardening, Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, Gravity, Giggles

H – Happy, Helpful, Hair thinning, Home, Hobbies, Holidays

I – Independence, Isolation, Intelligence, Intuition, Incontinence, Inevitable

J – Joy, Joint stiffness, Jiggle more, Jowls, 

K – Kindness matters, Bad knees, Knee replacements, Karma, A kiss is still a kiss

L – Laugher, Love, Life Review – reflection, Letting Go, Life-long Learning

M – Meditation, Memory issues– what memory, Money worries, It’s not about the money, Medicare, Medications – never so many, Mature, Memories, Movies any time of day, 

N – New normal, Nutrition, Nature, It’s not over until it’s over, NAPS, Nursing homes

O – Optimistic, Old everything, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, If only….

P – Perseverance, Physical changes, Physiological decline, Prep for retirement, Pickleball, Part A, B,C,D – oh, my!

Q – Queries, Queen of everyday, Quiet time is more important, Quit working, Quality of life

R – Retirement, Radical, Reduced balance and coordination, Reserve, Readiness, Read

S – Sensitive, Spots – age and liver, Surreal, Social Circle Shrinks or expands, Safety, Sleeping Less or in front of the TV, Social Security, Self-Acceptance, Sagging Boobs, Sleeping in

T – Thankful, Travel, Words on the tip-or-your-tongue, Teamwork, Time to smell the roses, Time seems shorter and shorter

U – Unrelenting, Unknown, Unanswered questions, Universal Truths, Unbelievable time

V – Value the past, Volunteerism, Voracity, Virtues, Variety

W – Winsome, Wrinkles, Women’s Rights, No Work, Walking, Wisdom

X – Excellent Life, X-rays, X marks the spot – any spot you want

Y – Yippy – I made it this far!, Yearning, Youthful attitude, You can still change the world

Z – Zenith, Zest for Life

Did any of the concepts ring true for you?  Maybe they spurred some reflection?  It was fun gathering them from other Silver Sage Sisters like you! 

Big Apple, Big Hearts

Mary Ann

New Yorkers get a bum rap for being unfriendly or rude or cold.  They are busy people, but they are at heart kind people.  If you ever watch multiple lanes of traffic at the Holland Tunnel, you will see New Yorkers narrow several lanes of cars blending them into two lanes to exit or enter the city. I have a friend who calls it braiding. The out-of-towners are the ones breaking the lines and are not civil. New Yorkers know that none of that will make a bit of difference.  The line goes when it goes.  Patience is the answer.

When you are riding the subways and are departing or entering the station, New Yorkers will hold a door for the person behind them.  They hold until someone grabs the door.  They don’t look at you but let go when you take hold.  No one says thank you.  Then, you in turn, hold the door until you pass it on to another. 

For the most part, people will stop you on the street and help you find your way if they see you with your nose in a travel guide.  If I ever asked for directions, I was readily given assistance. You can’t ask for more. 

When I first moved to NYC to work, I had no idea what I was doing most of the time.  As I shared before, there is a very steep learning curve.  Early in the transition, I visited a few times to find a place to live and meet the people I would be working with and so on.  

I stayed in a hotel in Chelsea area of the city.  My future boss lived on the Upper West Side.  On one of the early visits, I was to take the subway uptown to meet the boss to go out for dinner.  He told me to take the C train and get off at 86^th Street. 

So, I off I went to take one of my first solo subway rides.  I came downstair to the trains and stood by the sign that gave you information about the C Train.  Along comes a train, the door open and I entered the subway car.  We are humming a long, and I notice that we were traveling out through the avenues and not moving North through the streets.  Something was wrong.  I asked someone on the train where the train going.  It was going to QUEENS!  Queens was a foreign country as far as I was concerned, and I was going in the wrong direction.  

The woman I asked where I was, kindly got off the train with me and walked me to the other track to get me going in the right direction.  There I stood where I had started at the C Train info sign.  A train came, the doors opened, and I entered.  We are moving along and suddenly we were moving out through the avenues on my way to QUEENS.  It was Groundhog Day, and I was doing exactly what I did the last round. What was I doing wrong?

I was sitting next to a Budish Monk in his saffron robes and several construction workers surrounded me. I asked for help, and they stepped up.  One of the construction guys in a plaid shirt walked me over to the transit map and explained the routes.  There are three trains – the A, C, and E – all using the same track.  I was getting on the E and not the C.  You must look on the front of the train to see which is which.  I was thinking of subways in Europe where one train is on one track.  People were chiming in giving me advice.  I said I will just up to the street and get a taxi.  No, no, you will never get a taxi on a Friday night, and it will take you forever to get uptown.  Stay on the train!   They gave me directions, and since I now knew how the trains ran, I was on my way finally.  At the time, you could not use a mobile phone in the subway, so I had no way in getting in touch with my boss.  I was just late, VERY late.

I was finally on the right train and made it to 86^th street.  I came out of the subway and called my boss as we were walking towards each other.  We greeted one another with laughter.  It was funny after I made it to him.  It wasn’t so funny at the time, yet I never felt scared or panicked because there were kind people around me who were willing to go out of their way to help me on a busy Friday night when they just wanted to get home.  So, I know firsthand the kindness of New Yorkers, and they don’t deserve the bum rap of being rude.  

If I remained on the E Train and actually went to Queens, I may have never found my way back to Manhattan. What an adventure that would have been!  However, I know that someone would have helped me,  The city may be known as the Big Apple, but it is also should be known as a city with a Big Heart!