Fortunately, I haven’t had to choose a brain surgeon yet. But, if I did I would have a careful list of criteria that would need to be met. That list would take several things into account. >What training, where and by whom has the individual had? >How long has he/she been at it? >What is [...]
“By the time you get to be my age, you want to know just how many of the people who love you, actually do love you!” Warren Buffett, the sage of Omaha and originator of this quote, was an acquaintance from our 20 years in that wonderful Midwestern city. His wife Susie, now deceased, was [...]
It’s September, 2008 and we Baby Boomers are having our first experience trying to deal with living on a fixed income as we watch our retirement savings spiral downward. The anxiety resulting from the fear of running out of money is palpable. We would do well to sit back with a cup of calming tea [...]
“It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” exclaimed John Heywood in 1546. Perhaps today’s news suggests the veracity and tenacity of this antique proverb. Ill winds seem to be blowing rather ferociously these days. The storms that affect so many and so much, the financial markets that plunge so deeply, the evidence of [...]
Idealism is a quality to be cultivated and nurtured. It is the idealist who helps us see things as they might be. It is the nature of some to be optimistic, upbeat, and encouraging. Usually, such personalities attract attention, respect and affection. Is it because they are always giving off similar signals to others? Sorting [...]
Life on a rural county road has numerous benefits. Tranquility, little traffic, reduced pollution and noise, no sirens, and few neighbors. My “Walden Pond’ is an idyllic place. A friend says that if they would just pave the road gold, that runs alongside his acreage, he wouldn’t have to die and go to heaven. In [...]
Mental Stimulation, like exercise, becomes increasingly more important as one ages. And, the good news is, that in our well wired and curious culture there are wonderful ways to stimulate one’s mind. It is fascinating that, not unlike adolescents, seniors often cave in to the “there is nothing to do” syndrome. But, there is. Now [...]
It took a long time to begin sorting through and actually using coupons. But, now it seems practical and prudent. It took even longer to decide to be disciplined about returning items not needed, often bought on impulse. Often, when renewal deadlines loom, like getting the car inspected, paying bills before the due date, having [...]
This month marks the occasion of some very significant dates. You won’t find these dates marked in red on your calendar, no holiday falls on them, no great hoopla occurs around them. They are just dates of mostly ordinary, very conscientious and respected people. In this case the dates are the birth of my father, [...]
Among my very best friends are those who send humorous, really, genuinely humorous, emails. One came which started my morning. It was a thank you for all the emails that had been sent to warn of lurking dangers and inexplicable disasters. It truly is funny. I love to laugh like that. In the quiet of [...]
