There is always another side. Another story. On the other end of the phone line or behind the deli counter. The sullen neighbor, taking out his garbage can. Or the truth behind the man or woman who disappears from your life without explanation. There are overworked employees at the big company who screw up. Maybe [...]
How to write a thank you note
March 20, 2010 by 17 Comments
Satiny stationery with your monogram? A fine, textured linen that feels light as a feather? Or do you prefer a gold-embossed note card? Yes. Sit. Savor your favorite ballpoint pen, or better yet, a sublime Waterman fountain pen (oh, a woman can dream). Let the ink flow languidly across the page. Take pleasure in the [...]
Building Bridges
March 19, 2010 by 12 Comments
The high wire act, with no safety net. It was never intentional. But I’ve been walking the tightrope for years. I’ve teetered, even fallen, but caught myself. Pulled myself back up. Balanced again, if precariously. I try not to look down. I don’t always succeed. I haven’t been off the wire in nine years. It [...]
I did what I was told
March 18, 2010 by 21 Comments
Whatever it was, I did what I was told, the quintessential good girl following the rules: I studied, I smiled, I won awards, I did not rebel, I lived with secrets. I followed the rules and did not cheat though I saw others do so and prosper; I followed the rules and did not lie [...]
Taxing
March 17, 2010 by 18 Comments
Yes, it’s that time of year. Dammit. Pulling papers together. Searching through piles for receipts. Shuffling through forms and instructions to take care of taxes. Funny that we say things are “taxing” when they are endlessly wearying. As language usage, is that the chicken or the egg? Tax season When tax season rolls around, I [...]
Failure to Thrive
March 16, 2010 by 15 Comments
Is existence, in and of itself, a legitimate source of hope? Is any source of hope legitimate? I was reading from a collection of short stories last week. The Best American Short Stories, 2009, to be precise. It was an uncharacteristically jubilant burst of reading (no interruptions), and eventually, I circled back to the introduction [...]
Must Everyone Be a “Leader” to Succeed?
March 15, 2010 by 40 Comments
It seemed simple enough. Great grades, well-rounded, likable. My son’s list of extracurricular activities included one team sport for a number of years, involvement in the arts, unique special interests, and a consistent willingness to help others. Garnering an honor or two with these attributes shouldn’t be an issue, right? And yet last week, while [...]
Real Housewives, Real Adults, Real Friends?
March 14, 2010 by 17 Comments
I’ll fess up. I spent three hours the other night (happily) watching Bravo TV. Yep, those Housewives again. Embarrassing Behaviors First I watched the Real Housewives of Orange County (the Reunion Show, in two parts). Then I watched the newest episode of Real Housewives of New York. Twice. Okay, make that four hours of Reality [...]
This is not me
March 13, 2010 by 17 Comments
See this beautiful woman? She likes her words. She has cool red glasses. She can even concentrate under a strange, retro, hair heating device. Oh, it’s in the name of beauty. Fine. I totally get that. We women go to great lengths in the name of our beauty rituals. Unfazed. Poised. Purposeful.
Stereotypes, Generalizations, and Judgments are BAD. Or Am I Being Too Judgmental?
March 12, 2010 by 23 Comments
Are all stereotypes true? When we generalize about people or a place, is that bad? Is judging something as “bad” – bad? Stereotypes and generalizations Yesterday I wrote about why I find France, and French men irresistible. And everything I wrote was based on my truths. As for the stereotypes and generalizations about French men? [...]
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