Maintenance olympics (08/28/08)
I think I'm in the maintenance stage of life. At least I'm taking enough maintenance drugs to qualify me for maintenance olympics. You know what I'm talking about. It's those prescription drugs we must take on a regular basis, such as high blood pressure medicines, diabetic pills, or high cholesterol doses. ...

The brighter side (08/20/08)
It seems I've been doing too much griping. I've forgotten to look on the bright side and to think upon the good things. There really are a whole lot of blessings that I've been pushing to the back of the closet...

Cell phone frustration (08/13/08)
My blood pressure must have shot up 40 points. My face was flushed and my aggravation point was at its peak. All because of a wireless cell phone. Actually it was the prepaid minute card that started the whole thing. All I wanted to do was add more minutes to my existing cell phone account...

Backyard clotheslines (08/07/08)
Did you know there are a few states that outlaw clotheslines? They argue that hanging clothes in your yard isn't esthetic. It's an eyesore that detracts from the beauty of the neighborhood and brings down house prices....

A $100 hamburger (07/31/08)
While people in Northeast Arkansas are tightening their grocery belts, I was surprised to hear that elsewhere customers are ordering $100 burgers. Yes, it's true. Neil Ungerleider has researched and has written about the costly burgers...

Old age paraphernalia (07/24/08)
Life is not the same. The paraphernalia is different too. I realized that last night when I was taking my blood pressure with my new blood pressure monitor. Seems I am collecting gadgets that are associated with aging. And so are many of my friends...

My grandson's dumplings (07/17/08)
I got an email last week from my grandson in Florida. He wanted to know how to make homemade dumplings. Specifically, my homemade dumplings. Since he had never before tackled such an undertaking, he wanted a recipe with detailed instructions...

A wonderful friend (07/10/08)
I lost a good friend last weekend.. I will miss her laughter and caring ways. When I was extremely ill in the mid 90's, she came to my country home with other church ladies to bring food to me. ...

The tiniest can opener (07/03/08)
At a public social gathering last Thursday, the hostess found herself in need of a can opener. I overheard her frantically asking if anyone had a can opener so that she could open a large can of frozen punch...

Burned oats again (06/26/08)
I like oats but we aren't compatible. The other morning I fixed oats for breakfast, as I often do. While the oats were cooking, I wandered into the main bathroom. Next thing you know I was trying on some new face cream. It was then I smelled scorch.....like burned oats in a pan...

Pantyhose and neckties (06/18/08)
This morning I listened to Diane Sawyer and Robin discuss pantyhose. Then I listened to Whoopi and The View gang discuss pantyhose again. You know, the pros and cons of wearing them. It seems that woman is rebelling against wearing them. Women are opting to go barelegged...

It's egg-frying time (06/11/08)
Is it hot enough for you? I guess it's about time for me to fry my traditional egg on the sidewalk. I've done that several times in years past when temperatures neared 100 degrees. That usually occurs sometime in June...

The belly of a fish (06/04/08)
Have you ever been in the belly of a fish? Well, okay, have your ever felt like you were in the belly of a fish? You know, in a situation where you felt trapped and there was no escape We get like that sometimes. Maybe not when we're young and invincible. But, in later years, when our lives get tangled and convoluted ...

Window birdwatching (05/28/08)
The big robin was prancing around on my front porch, pecking at this and that. It spotted a piece of string that would make a nice addition to its nest. The robin put the end of the string in its beak and took flight...

Life is serious, man (05/21/08)
Life is getting serious. It's possible we will elect a black man or a white woman for President of the United States. It's also possible we won't be able to afford gas to drive to the polls. We may have to park gas-guzzlers and use our walking shoes...

The high cost of sauce (05/14/08)
"Do I have enough flex points for a Snickers bar?" I teased a friend. She laughed. I was referring to her new weight-loss plan. Seems like everywhere you turn, there's a plan or advice on how to lose weight...

A Blue Ridge trip, etc. (05/08/08)
Last month I went on a bus tour to North Carolina. There were 30 travelers, including the escort. After we boarded our motorcoach in Piggott, Ark., we settled down for our trip, via Nashville. Some of the passengers had brought paperback books to read between stops...

Stretching the dime (04/23/08)
I'm thinking we may have to revert back to olden days. We can't afford present days. Remember when we fried a skillet of potatoes, heated or slightly browned a package of bologna and opened a can of pork & beans. That was supper...

Those Internet promises (04/19/08)
Somebody owes me. There are promises that I haven't collected on the Internet. If you have Internet service and you get emails, you know what I'm talking about. Hardly a day goes by that I don't get a forwarded message that tells me I must do thus and so or else...

How to be a loser (04/19/08)
Our society believes in oversizing. Yet so much emphasis in put on diets and dieting these days. Everybody talks about losing weight, exercising and being fit. We count calories, carbs, and intake. Yet Americans are grossly overweight. American obesity rates are among the highest in the world with 64 percent of adults being overweight or obese, and almost a quarter being obese...