• Happy Birthday USA

    Where liberty dwells, there is my country. Benjamin Franklin This photo was taken a few years ago at a Fourth of July party. To me, it captures the true spirit of the holiday. The Fourth of July is, above all else, a birthday celebration for our country. It isn’t about politics, military strength, or choosing…

  • The Echo of Our Words

    Words matter, and the right words matter most of all. They’re all that remains of us. John Birmingham The photo is of our neighborhood Reading Garden Park. The walls and walkways are covered with quotations—words of wisdom, humor, inspiration, and reflection. It is one of my favorite places. There is something comforting about sitting quietly,…

  • A Corner of Peace in a Busy Life

    Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time. Herman Hesse A few years ago, I placed a comfortable chair and reading lamp beside a window in our bedroom. The window catches the morning sun and looks out onto a large flowering tree that changes with the…

  • The Light She Left Behind

    “There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.” — Anonymous When I read this quote, I immediately think of my grandmother. I have written about her many times over the years, perhaps because her influence remains such a significant part of who I…

  • My Heart Recognized It as Home

    What is handed down by tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. Gustav Mahler When I read this quote, I thought about my ancestry. I did not grow up with my French heritage as a strong influence in my life. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I…

  • A Poppy in his Buttonhole

    Grand Uncle Palmer ‘ The poetry above is from the poem For the Fallen, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 during the early months of World War I. My uncle Palmer served in that war, and this is one of only a few photographs I have of him. My grandfather served as well. He lied about…

  • Embracing Retirement: Finding Meaning in Everyday Life

    Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. Albert Einstein “A quick note before I begin: In last week’s post about music memories and the Columbia House Record Club, I neglected to mention that the piece was inspired in part by a thoughtful post from fellow blogger, writingfromtheheartwithbrian.com I…

  • Nostalgia and Time

    Gen X learned two important life lessons from Columbia House: nothing is truly free and always read the fine print Unknown You’ve probably heard the phrase, “This almost wrote itself.” Well, in a way, this post did. About a week ago, a fellow blogger wrote about The Columbia House Record Club, highlighting the wide variety…

  • The Quite Grace of Walking

    An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. Henry David Thoreau Walking is my one concession to exercise. I’ve tried various classes and gym workouts, but I find them exhausting. Perhaps it’s my French heritage; I’ve heard the French aren’t particularly fond of organized exercise. I do attend a weekly Tai Chi…