The first time I held a musical instrument changed me. The tiny 12-bass accordion came down from the attic, unplayed since my mom was a child. A teacher named Mrs. Daniels suffered through my scales as I learned how to play and read the notes. Then came Aunt…

Sunday a week ago, I took the labels off a new backpack, highlighted a campus map and laid out a sweatshirt and jeans. I second-guessed my sneakers because my sister’s grandson told us the “S” in the name brand stands for “senior citizen.” Still, they are my most comfortable shoes…

We arrange lunch with pals. We keep a doctor’s appointment and visit the dentist for regular cleanings. We schedule a yoga class and offer to pick up our grandchildren from school. We thank an employee or coworker who has gone the extra mile…

A week has crawled by since we made it home after Hurricane Milton. Until this year, I considered myself storm-seasoned, living 35 years in Florida and most of it on the coast. I researched local history and published my first novel this year about…

Summer’s not nearly over and we’re bombarded with back-to-school ads. It’s an exciting time for school kids – time for new clothes and supplies, for moving up to the next grade and reconnecting with friends. One thing I miss about formal…

I don’t enjoy driving, especially on crowded Florida roads during tourist season. So, I splurged on my dream car: a neon yellow Chevy Blazer which looks like a bumblebee and makes the chore of driving more fun. I confess, though, I prefer public transportation…

I grew up eating like a farmer’s daughter, too. I love meat. I know a lot of people don’t eat anything with eyes for personal reasons, and I’m fine with that. But the meat food group often gets a bad rap which, in my opinion, is not fair…

Why is it that time seems to fly now that we’re 60 or 70 or 80? I’m often amazed when a wedding, the death of friend or a move to a new city was 20 or 30 years ago. Heavens, it’s already 2024! What happened to 2023?

I caught myself dancing in the kitchen this morning as I waited for my coffee to drip. Rain was coming down at about two inches an hour, but it couldn’t drench my mood. I’ve been feeling happy. Really happy. We all know the happy feeling…

I confess to a moment of near euphoria as I sped past traffic crawling to the beach. My smile was so big, drivers smiled back as I zipped past on my lime green e-bike – head tucked in a sturdy helmet and my sweetheart following at a safe distance…