I hold that a strongly marked personality can influence descendants for generations. Beatrix Potter When I read this quote, I thought about something different. I did not grow up with my French heritage as an influence in my life. My parents were divorced when I was very young. I did not spend any time with…

It is quality rather than quantity that matters. Lucius Annaeus Seneca The above was often quoted by my Grandmother in regard  to buying, absolutely, anything.  She believed I should buy the best that I could afford. Her reasoning was that, over time, it made more sense to have something that would last than to spend…

America the Beautiful. Lyrics: Katherine Bates Music: Samuel A. Ward This photo was taken a couple of years ago at a Fourth of July concert. I love the enthusiasm of this elderly man waving the flag. For me, it is what the holiday is all about. A birthday celebration for our Country. It’s not about…

Not my circus, not my monkeys. Polish Proverb  I have this proverb, as wallpaper, on my iPhone. The moment I read it, I could relate. Even though experience has taught me better, when I see someone or something with a problem, I want to fix it.  During my career in management, there were many things…

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. Albert Einstein I wasn’t worried about being bored when I retired. My list of what I want to do, each day, is usually left unfinished. There are mundane things like, doing the laundry or cleaning the house that fill the day.…

Most of us are great with change, as long as it was our idea. Still Life Louise Penny A dear friend gave me the first book in the Inspector Gamache series, by Louise Penny, for my birthday, this year. I immediately fell in love and have read  twelve of the fourteen books in the series.…

She did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition. Sense and Sensibility Jane Austin   I find as I become older I am less inclined engage in discussions I realize will go nowhere. Someone with more time than I can wage this war. You’ve probably been there. You’re talking to someone who you realize…

What do we say to the god of death? Not today. Game of Thrones  George R.R. Martin Coming a little late to the party, we just finished watching all the seasons of Game of Thrones. As I thought might be, it was very violent and a touch misogynist. I’ve heard some viewers didn’t like the…

You learn to write by reading and writing, writing and reading. As a craft it’s acquired through the apprentice system, but you choose your own teachers. Sometimes they’re alive, sometimes dead. Margaret Atwood. Like most writers I am a voracious and sometimes indiscriminate reader. I do find as I become older I’m a little less…