The Date: Spring of 1969 The Place: A.D. Eisenhower High School Auditorium, Norristown, PA The Event: the Montgomery County Spelling Bee I was representing my school, St. Augustine, at the competition. There were close to 100 competitors, and I had successfully spelled my first few words. Then it happened. It was my turn again, so … Continue reading It Only Took 52 Years, But I’ve Finally Learned From My Mistake
I've mentioned the Irish goodbye a few times, which is a slang phrase that refers to a person ducking out of a party, social gathering, or very bad date without bidding farewell. I am a big fan of the Irish goodbye, and have used it on several occasions. And in recent years it has become … Continue reading The Reverse Irish Goodbye
It's like deja vu all over again. This will be the seventh year in a row that I have featured this song as part of my Christmas music blog posts. And no, it's not Santa Clause Is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen. The song is Another Christmas in L.A. by The Killers. I think … Continue reading Music Monday: Another, and Another, and Another, and Another, and Another, and Another, ‘Another Christmas in L.A.’
Ritual Zero Proof recently sponsored a survey of 2,000 Americans over the age of 21 regarding family gatherings during the holidays. The results are "sobering": 60 percent dread going to such gatherings. 63 percent agree that there’s always one family member who takes things too far when it comes to “indulging” during the holidays. 58 … Continue reading Despite Survey Results, Families Still Gather During the Holidays
It's not the most inspirational item one could have on their bucket list, but it was on mine nonetheless. And earlier this week, I was able to mark it off as completed. So you may be curious what it was. parachute out of a plane? nope... meet Bruce Springsteen? nope... put an entire class of … Continue reading Scratch This One Off the Bucket List
We were blessed to share the day with family; thank you for inviting us. Thank you to all of you who have wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, especially those of you outside the U.S. How kind of you to think of us. In my attempt to become more globally aware of other countries that celebrate … Continue reading Thanksgiving in the U.S. and Around the World
The New York Times Opinion editors have created a website that will help you find places in the United States that best suit what you are looking for in terms of potentially multiple criteria. Here is the link: Where Should You Live? The choices are grouped into four categories: Lifestyle (17 choices) Climate (6 choices) … Continue reading Where Should You Live?
Let's see what science has to say. Researchers at Goldsmiths, London University, carried out two studies. In the first, participants hugged for one, five, or 10 seconds - with two different arm crossing styles and reported how pleasant, arousing, and under control the touch felt. They found that a hug lasting between five and ten … Continue reading If You’re Going to Give a Hug, Make It Count
The Wall Street Journal had an interesting article this week about how many of us are suffering from alert overload. It could be a calendar alert, a news alert, an email alert, a text alert, etc. And if there are sounds set to go with those alerts, your phone, laptop, tablet, desktop, or watch will … Continue reading Snap, Crackle, Pop! Is That My Phone, My Laptop, or My Watch?
It only took 371 days. On November 10, 2020, I broke both of my wrists while exercising. Of course, I had to write about it - I'll do anything to keep my streak going. 🙂 While the thought of doing a push-up was the furthest thing from my mind, I also told myself I would … Continue reading A One Push-Up Wonder
Borden's Blather 