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Time out of Mind
I’ve been watching this great series on the TLC channel called “Who Do You Think You Are?” in which celebrities trace their family trees. In one episode, supermodel Cindy Crawford discovers she’s a direct descendent of Charlemagne. No one in her family knew this. The question is, how on earth is that possible? I mean,…
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Security Blankets
When I was little I had a security blanket. No, I wasn’t as bad as Linus. I didn’t take it everywhere I went. But I did sleep with it and it gave me a great deal of comfort during some really trying times. It was made of flannel, so it deteriorated as the years went…
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Generosity Makes an Impact
Recently I pulled up to the gate at a tourist attraction, stupidly surprised that I’d have to pay for parking, and realizing that this meant I’d probably have to go without lunch because in my world, every penny counts and there aren’t that many pennies available. And then the parking attendant said, “Go on through.…
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Siblings, as you Age
I’m sitting in my sister and brother-in-law’s vacation home, which was graciously loaned to me due to my lack of funds for a more extravagant holiday. This suits me just fine, as I’ve always loved this place. It’s calm, relaxing, and remote. And my sister has amazing taste. She really should have been an interior…
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Why are Dogs Man’s Best Friend?
As I write this, snuggled up beside me is my best friend, Devo. As he snores gently, I contemplate the things we have in common. Neither of us is pure bred by any stretch of the imagination. We’re always happy to see each other. We both struggle with our weight. We love to take naps…
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Having Your Heart Broken by a Career Choice
I was the morning of the third day of my dream job, and I was so excited. My life was changing for the better, It’s a rare gift when you can have a job that you love. I fell in love with Dental Laboratory Technology as a student. I sold my house, left a 16…
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Those Alluring Amish
What is it about the Amish that fascinates us so? Their lifestyle supports a massive tourist industry. They’ve inspired movies, have experienced public tragedies and scandals, and have spawned a crop of reality shows which should all have been entitled “Amish Gone Wild.” And we can’t seem to get enough. I can only speak for…
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Speaking Ill of the Dead
I was chatting with a coworker when he received a text message. “Whoa. My cousin just died.” I told him I was sorry for his loss, as you do. “Don’t be,” he said. “She was mean as a snake and hated my guts.” Once upon a time I might have been shocked by that response.…
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Pet Peeves
I’m feeling cranky today because it’s my last day of vacation. I’m in the mood to gripe about stuff, so here goes nothing. It drives me absolutely nuts when someone who does not know me calls me honey or sweetie or darlin’. It sounds so condescending to me. It says, “I can’t be bothered to…
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The Immigration Issue in Reverse
Yesterday I wrote about the many circles of hell the average woman on this planet has to pass through. Believe me, this is not the first time I’ve contemplated this topic, and at one point I was doing well enough to consider trying to help. It’s the personal stories that get to me the most.…