The week between Christmas and New Year’s is always a time of reflection for me. The good, the bad and the funny of the outgoing year as well as looking forward. I started 2022 in Los Angeles where I attended the Rose Parade with a friend who waved at every. single. unit. that marched down or along the route; even the Hare Krishnas who were the warm-up for the actual parade. For the first time, I realized how great it is to surround yourself with people filled with joy.  During the Continue Reading

Raise your hand if you had a charm bracelet. Can’t you just hear the jingle jangle of family vacations, school activities, hobbies, and religious celebrations? Chances are, if you were a woman raised in the 50-70’s, you may have had a charm bracelet. According to my research, they surged post-World War II, and peaked in the early 1960’s, yet I recall their popularity in the late 60’s-early 70’s. “The charm bracelet has evolved over the decades, but still retains its basic concept…a bracelet Continue Reading

There I was, sitting in row three of the balcony, dead-center. It was the Phoenix Symphony Holiday Concert with the Phoenix Choir, and within seconds of the start of the song, tears began to form. Soon, I was searching for Kleenex in my purse to dab those I couldn’t blink back. The top of my mask absorbed the runaways. I never got close to a sob, but I felt my bottom lip quiver. Fortunately, the tears were gone by the final note. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used Continue Reading