FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Southern potluck same as chicken soup
We Southerners have a way of making everything better, in our own unique way. Whether someone is sick or bereaved or has just had a baby, we believe that a homemade casserole or cake or plate of cookies is just what the doctor ordered. And it is. Oh, it’s not ...
Food for Thought: Fall festivals showcase the best of Gwinnett
Well, it’s almost time for the popular area Farmer’s Markets in the county to pack up their wares, roll up their tents and start planning next year’s crops. The success of Farmer’s Markets in this area has been phenomenal; they sure do bring back memories for me. When I was ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Perfumes and personal space
Do you like perfume? Wear it? For years, I did neither. I’ve had asthma since I was a little girl, and any strong smell, especially a flowery one, always caused my symptoms to flare up. As I got older, I suppose, my sensitivity to smells lessened, and I began to ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: How do people come here illegally? I can’t get even my driver’s license renewed.
As most of you know by now, getting your driver’s license renewed requires, pretty much literally, an act of Congress and hours of standing in line, praying that your documents are in order. In an effort to deter people from obtaining a driver’s license illegally, a whole boat load of ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What do football and pumpkin have in common?
Well, it’s back. Football season, or as we say here in the South, “the High Holy Season.” Dawgs. Jackets. Falcons, et al. The pre-season tease is over, the real thing for which we’ve longed for months is here, and weekend and Monday night schedules are temporarily (through February, anyway) rearranged ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: It’s calories consumed vs. calories burned, right?
Physical fitness is important, and our generation probably understands more about that that any of the previous ones, right? So why are we so fat (yes, I said “we”)? I get it. I’ve worked at it for years, both nutritionally and in the gym and on walking trails all over ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: When did cleaning become rocket science?
I’m not the world’s best housekeeper. There, I said it. Oh I’m not filthy, and neither is our house, but I’m not one of those women who obsesses about shining, polishing, disinfecting, scrubbing and vacuuming every second of every day. If I don’t wear my glasses in the house, I ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Be thankful for the small victories
I had a tough session at physical therapy this morning, another two-plus hour workout that always benefits me, both physically and mentally. I reached a milestone today, sweating and groaning to dip low enough for my knee to register 130 degrees of range of motion, a first for me since ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: De-cluttering can be liberating (so they say)
I was reading an article in a popular women’s magazine while travelling last week, and I noticed that many of the articles in this particular issue were about organizing. “Organize Your Office in Ten Short Minutes.” “Streamline Your Cleaning by Having Less to Clean.” “Easy (and Organized) Does It.” I ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Campaigns, elections bring out all kinds
Earlier this week, runoff elections were held in Gwinnet County for various seats and positions. I voted; I hope you all did, because voting is a powerfully effective privilege that those of us who do not personally seek public office wield. That’s not what I want to talk about today, ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: These things come in threes, right?
I am currently writing a book about the wisdoms of older women being passed down to younger women, and the experience has grown from a humorous examination of the phenomenon to a full-blown history lesson. Writing this book ranks among the top ten coolest things I believe I’ve ever done, ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Just because I have a dog doesn’t mean the door’s always open to yours.
I am a dog lover, and so are my husband and children. I think I may be precariously close to becoming one of those crazy dog ladies (not a hoarder; don’t call the authorities), but the older I get, the more credit I give dogs and the less I give ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Canning is cool again
Summer's harvest can last year-round, with a little know-how and nerves of steel (if a pressure cooker is involved).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Getting old ain’t for sissies
OK I borrowed that quote from Bette Davis, but I’m telling you it’s the truth. Many of you may remember that I had knee surgery back in April (I certainly whined about it enough, I know). My recovery has been slow and laced with setbacks and peripheral problems. Grannies with ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Kids hear the darndest things
My husband and I moved our youngest daughter back to school this past weekend. This is her third year of college, so the whole moving thing is more fun now than traumatic. I’m so excited for her, building her future, having fun and learning about life. Inevitably, during this whole ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Pets are people, too
I may have shared this with you all before, but our family has three dogs, all rescues. We love them dearly; two weigh about 90 pounds, and one weighs 2.5 pounds. They’re loving, funny and comforting (which I suppose is true of most dogs, isn’t it?). They are an oasis ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 93 and counting
My father’s 93rd birthday is next month. He has lived nearly an entire century. My dad is without a doubt one of the strongest people I’ve ever known; he has a story for every situation because he’s experienced almost every situation. Growing up during the Great Depression and having lost ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: How do you do “Back to School?”
I went to Wal-Mart yesterday. I had put it off as long as possible (since mid-April, I think), and I couldn’t procrastinate any longer. There are some things that you just can’t buy anywhere else besides Wally World, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: On being a kid again, or “Dads at the Beach”
Well, we’re winding down our summer beach vacation, one that just my husband and I took without our children. This was a first. We needed it for several reasons, but we will both still say unequivocally that we’ve missed having our kids around. They just make everything more urgent, more ...
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Even a bad day at the beach is a good day
My husband and I took off for the beach a couple of days ago, seeking out a much-needed break from the day-to-day grind that runs his life. This is the first trip we've ever taken without some or all of our children. It seems like the only time my husband ...
