Some time ago, David and I wrote a post about something my mom used to say, “Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think.”(https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/2019/03/its-later-than-you-think/) This post is a follow up and serves as a reminder that it really IS later than you think. And, for that matter, it really is later than I think too! A […]
Archive | Growing Old is Not for Sissies
The M’s
I have a friend named Marilyn Einbinder. We met several years ago at a Passover Seder hosted by her son, Marc, and daughter-in-law, Susan. Marc and Susan are our wonderful Megan’s parents and it was Megan who invited me to attend her family’s Seder. Immediately upon being introduced to Marilyn, I knew we were going […]
I think it is wonderful that M (Melissa) and M (Marilyn) clicked as they did. We’ve told M (Marc) he should have introduced them sooner. One never knows in life when connections will be made and this one was a bit of a surprise. Marilyn likes living a rich, full, life, and Melissa shares this […]
Expand Your Horizons: Johnny Cash, Jazz…
Expand your horizons. Exit your comfort zone. Try new things. Visit new places. Meet new people. These are mantras to which I aspire. Many people are too afraid to venture outside things they’ve always done. They go to the same restaurants, then order the same things off the menu. When it comes to music, some […]
How broad one’s horizons, or comfort zones, are is probably relative. While some people consider Melissa and me to be adventurous in certain respects like music or food, I know, I for one, still draw a line somewhere. I know I have limitations based on foods because of 2 things. One is an allergy issue […]
Alaskan Cruises
Having just returned from Alaska, I am more aware than ever that going to Alaska means, for many people, taking a cruise. But, Melissa and I aren’t cruisers, so we did a land tour. Nonetheless, it is now impossible to be in Alaska without encountering cruisers. From the gift (junk) shops in Anchorage to Denali, […]
As everyone who knows me is aware, I have good reasons for not being a fan of cruises. I also dislike the changes they have brought to one of my formerly favorite places, Key West. The changes cruise lines and their passengers have brought to Alaska in the 31 years between David’s and my visits […]
Live Your Life Like Someone Left the Gate Open
I don’t remember where I saw this quote for the first time, but I instantly liked it: “Live your life like someone left the gate open.” I guess there are multiple interpretations of this sentence, however, my view of it is that, as David’s late mother used to say, we should try to “have fun” […]
For reasons I won’t go into, the timing of my reading of Melissa’s post was, well, timely. We sometimes have to remind ourselves, and each other, to have fun, find fun where we can, and to leave that gate open to get out and enjoy what there is to enjoy in life. It might be […]
These Boots Will Last the Rest of My Life
In preparation for an upcoming trip to Alaska (to be taken as a delayed 60th birthday celebration for David), I recently bought some Birkenstock boots. I am a huge fan of Birkenstock, having owned many pairs of their sandals and one pair of shoes over the years, but I had never considered buying this brand […]
I’m not sure the shoe store owner did himself any favors. One and done is not a good way to encourage repeat customers. Of course, in South Florida, most of his shoppers buy Birkenstock sandals, not boots. I don’t know how long my current boots will last, but I suspect another pair is in my […]
Why Do People Talk about Weather?
Why do people often talk about the weather? I will admit being guilty of this type of mind numbing discussion, but nonetheless, I have always found it to be an odd topic. Maybe it’s an ice breaker or a way to ease into a more meaningful discussion. I realize that, sometimes, it is important to […]
I admit to using weather as an ice breaker especially, in the winter when talking with folks in cold climates. I feel a bit smug. Of course, they turn it around on me when the weather is hot in South Florida with nearly 100% humidity. But, beyond ice breakers (which sounds weather related in itself), […]
It’s Okay to Have Regrets
I recently read an article in The Wall Street Journal that focused on the “no regrets” philosophy that has become a cultural goal for many Americans. Supposedly, a life without regrets has been touted as a goal for people to attain, much like the concept of “bucket list” (of things we must achieve before we […]
In his signature song, My Way, Frank Sinatra sang the words written by Paul Anka: Regrets, I’ve had a few But then again too few to mention I did what I had to do And saw it through without exception Paul, and/or Frank, claimed to only having a few regrets having achieved what each of […]
Get Back
“Get Back” is the name The Beatles wanted as the title of their second to last album, however, the album ended up being called “Let It Be.” (As many people know, the “Let It Be” album was the final studio album released by The Beatles, however, it was recorded prior to “Abbey Road,” which was […]
I had not seen Melissa as excited about anything as she was anticipating and then watching Get Back. Well, that is since going to Abbey Road Studios and Liverpool a couple years ago that is! Anyway, it was fascinating to observe how this televised event played out. As changes were made in the movie production, […]
Helping People Who Don’t Believe They Need Help
Sometimes, the people who need our help the most do not think they need any help, from anyone. These individuals may thwart our efforts to help them in various ways: (1) they try to cover up their problem(s); (2) they deny a problem exists; (3) they cancel appointments we make with medical providers or providers […]
Helping those needing help is especially challenging when that person is an adult, a parent perhaps, as Melissa noted. Our experience with my parents was certainly difficult because, for a long time, neither of them realized what the rest of us did – they needed help. They needed help to move, while they were still […]