Is there any scenic, quaint and charming town in any impoverished drug-ravaged county in New York or Pennsylvania that doesn’t cry out for a curated cocktail/housewares store where you can buy … more

At our premarital counseling, the Rev. Butz peered at me and my soon-to-be-husband Mark and said, “You know, not having children is always an option.” We ignored his well meaning … more

Finding meaning through impactful and resilient conversation In today’s world, it’s crucial to engage in impactful and resilient conversation. The art of dialogue should be a … more

As I struggled once again with a drawer that refused to do what a drawer was supposed to—open and provide us with access to what we had stored in it—I hoped, i.e. grumbled and swore … more

The store within walking distance didn’t have the plastic birthday candle holders I needed to light candles on ice cream instead of on cake, so I took the car.  I wasn’t really … more

I have been asked about my writing process. Process is terribly important; anyone who dares put ink to paper or pixel to screen must have one.  My current process is to seat myself at my … more

We are having the bathroom painted.  Bathroom painting was one maintenance chore that as renters we had tried before. Our landlady had refused to be responsible when the … more

The last couple of months I have attempted to organize things. In general, this is not a good idea—a truth I had, in my amazingly deluded self-confidence, completely … more

Movie theater. Lights off, screen dark. Surround sound rises.  more

“Not now,” I scolded my intestines. “Bad timing.” more

“Welcome to The Living Women’s Shopping, Shopping, Shopping and Beauty All the Time Network’s episode of ‘Replenish and Rejuvenate,’ with your hosts, Vera and Aloe.” more

“Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen classic about five sisters out to nab husbands… the better to produce an heir to save the family farm.” more

Like many of my things, my house is a franken-house, patched together from disparate and not-always-compatible parts. The kitchen and first floor bedroom (a courtesy title bestowed by the selling real estate agent on a mud room) are a portion of the original 1880s house, some of which collapsed about 70 years ago. more

After reading the anti-ebike Atlantic magazine article, titled “Ebikes are Monstrous!” I dashed downstairs to my garage, but—whew! more

Back when I was commuting, on the way to work one day someone stepped on the back of my shoe. I had to stop and bend down to slip my foot back in, which in the stampede of people getting off the Staten Island Ferry at rush hour is a hazardous maneuver. more

I’m scared of scrapple. more

Sparky the drone dipped lower over the tree, its low-battery alarm and lights beeping frantically as I tried desperately to steer it out of the woods and onto the lawn. I was scrambling through the muck, trying to keep it in sight, and my foot got sucked into one of the many gloppy pits which make up my backyard. Then Sparky crashed into the branches, bounced a bit farther down. and then stopped. About 50 feet up.  more

Before I could leave it behind forever, I had to squeeze whatever money I could from New York.   After 20 years at home and half a philosophy M.A., a year of  pavement pounding … more

Recently, while noticing my feet in the bathtub, I realized it has been decades since I had overheard indirect meant-to-be-overheard comments on my appearance as I walked by. Things like “I … more

Twenty-five years ago, on a very tight budget, we brought the kids to the Shawangunk Mountains to climb and romp. The bargain motel we stayed in would have been a great setting for a creepy … more