It’s fast approaching the conclusion of the tutoring year. This past Tuesday, the tutoring organization directed tutors to conduct the first half of the “post-assessment.” The assessment consists of two sections, reading comprehension and math. On Tuesday, I administered the reading portion of the test to Zoey, who in the next month or so is […]
Widowed Without Children
More Than Wishful Thinking
Lola the pup has a trick. In the morning when she is ready to eat, she picks up her travel food bowl and parades with it, making sure that anybody up and about knows she wants to be fed. I get Lola’s message, naturally, but there is a time threshold I will hold her to […]
Let the Fun Begin!
If you see today’s post a little later than usual, kindly forgive me, I’m not quite yet into the groove of my winter quarters here in Tucson. For one thing, the time zone is different, and I am asleep and awake at off-hours. I do not enjoy being wide awake when it is still dark […]
Parting
Yesterday, I got a bill from the lawyer who handles my estate plan. I have been tweaking this plan from time to time and still need to confirm the most recent changes. It is a simple plan, given I don’t have a wife or kids to consider, but I seem to spend undue time agonizing […]
Exploring What Might Help
Today I wish to offer three simple tools to help those of us who are having an especially “off” day. Three fresh ideas or strategies for your back pocket at the ready in advance of your need. Difficult days arrive out of nowhere for new widowed people, or long-time widowed people. […]
Widowed Without Kids
I’m one of the widowed people who have no children and my guess is that it’s a very different experience than those of you who lost your spouse but have kids. Even when I was a child myself, I never even thought I’d have a child of my own. Other kids (probably all girls) played […]
Sunday Family Dinner
As I mentioned last week I have been reviewing estate documents. I’ve been thinking about what I want to do, and how to convey my testamentary wishes to my lawyer. I have some technical questions for him, too. *** Speaking of heirs, my nephew Kevin invited me to Sunday lunch at 3:30 p.m. His brother […]
Just Another Day
I sat on a stool at the kitchen counter, reviewing estate documents and setting up a Zoom meeting with my estate lawyer for early next week. The sliding door to the rear porch and backyard was still wide open. Weather permitting, opening this door is one of my first acts of the day. Then, if […]
Cat Ladies
A recent Pew poll of people of different ages who don’t have biological children (see https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/07/25/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children/ 7/25/24) suggests this circumstance is more common nowadays than when I came up. I could go into detail trying to explain how my situation evolved, but why bother? Today I am seventy-three years old and don’t plan to become […]
Feeling all the Feels
How Grief Impacts Feelings At age 26, I received a helpful definition for feelings. You may be thinking that could be a bit late in life to receive information about something that impacts life on a daily basis and you would be right. Regardless of timing, I gratefully received this definition. “Feelings are spontaneous, inner […]
School’s Out
My great-nephew graduates from grammar school this Friday. It will mark an important transition for the young man. It is a big deal! As I’ve mentioned here from time to time, I come from a small family. My mother, father, and sister are gone. My current “immediate” family is down to two nephews, one great-nephew—the […]
Memorial Day Weekend: A Time For Reflection
The Memorial Day Weekend sort of crept up on me this year. Back in my former locale at the Jersey Shore, this weekend ushers in the official start of a short, yet very active, summer season of beaching, barbecue gatherings, boating, fishing and so many other outdoor activities. My late husband Rich, who served militarily […]