The children's song about the little ducks leaving the nest to fly away has always been one of my favorites.  Every mother has seen their babies fly away and rejoiced. Life comes full circle. Animals live that same cycle. Babies grow up. Birds leave the nest. Life goes on. So when the three ducks show up every year near my patio I am not surprised. But I am puzzled that it always seems to be the same three. Something just doesn't seem right. It appears the one did not fly away at all. Five little ducks Went out to play Over the hills and far away. The mommy duck went "quack, quack quack ..read more

Do you live alone? Are you afraid? Do noises make you jump? My little dog is a barker and noises make her jump. She barks at her reflection in the mirror, a shadow on the floor and the people walking on the sidewalk a block away. She is vigilant, careful, and noisy. Other than that she is perfect. At less than 5 lbs her personality is very big. If she is really onto something, she will come and find me to make sure that I know. Things like the yellow Preen container or anything that she has not seen before will send her into action.  A wagon full of flowers and Annie But things ..read more

My Grandparents,  He lived to be 74 and  she to age 82. They both lost all their teeth in their 40s. I know you are drowning in advice if you are an aging retiree. As we all know, people like us are in charge. We don't change our minds willingly. Once we are over 65 my friend said, our children want to be our parents. She didn't like that. It doesn't seem like that to me but in many cases, it is true. Children of any age can be age blind. Fear might be playing a part for them. They do not understand aging so they project their fears onto us.  Age blindness has children ..read more

 The discovery that my readers have a responsibility when they read my or anyones writing was an epiphany. I had always thought that I needed to tell every detail so my reader would understand. The color and setting and even the mindset of the person telling the story needed to be put on the paper. Then it occurred to me as a writer that the reader is also responsible. In blog reading there are rules.      -If you are a troll that controls your world by tearing it down, go away. Bringing the writer down with you is not right. It is mean and hurtful.      -Eve ..read more

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We all had talents but none quite like Frog and Arvid's.  I have been told that we are born with a talent. Figuring out what that talent is can be the hard part. If you are a "gifted" writer or musician or even an artist you are fortunate. But not all of us are gifted with beautiful talents. The plumber or electrician does not get an audience. Still, we value those people. But what about all the others. What about the gifted liar. You know that person... they cannot open their mouth and tell the truth. The lie was there and that was that. I knew a boy named Arvid. His mom was a r ..read more

 I have been retired for what seems like an eternity! I began in 2006 or 2007 after taking a trip to Shanghai, China to visit my son. My husband and I stayed for 3 weeks so I had time to absorb what the world of expat educators was all about...and they were a busy, talented and progressive group of people.  That was when I began to blog...it was a hobby worth doing. I learned so much along the way. That was that time when the boomers were coming down the track and all of those people were wondering what they were going to do with their time on a dime. Times were tough for new retiree ..read more

Harret Elen Torris age 89.  In this time children may find it hard to worship a hero...I really have no idea how that works for children anymore. Actually even in my days as a child I did not even think about such a thing. I wanted to be like the people that were popular. Did their "look" or attitude or even academic ability matter? I think so. Those people were the ones I wanted to be like.  But an example remains important even at my age. So, I have been channeling my mother-in-law lately. In a strange kind of way, this woman that I really never knew guided me. She didn't ..read more

I don't know what Alice was on but one day she just went down the rabbit hole. What seemed like a very good idea just didn't work out. It might be what I do. Sometimes I know what I should do but don't HAVE to do so I don't! I often choose to follow Alice's example. I know for fact it can be very dark down in that hole.  The choice is a problem...in fact it always has been. I know what I would like or need to do but I don't want to. If that makes sense to you then you are one of us...the discombobulated ones. You all remember the children book "If You Give a Mouse a Cook ..read more

 The old buzzard stood by the fence He did not care What you thought Or said Or what pain you felt. Much like that giant bird Floating on the updraft With wings wide casting a big shadow, He let you know With the tip of a hat Or a smile half hidden That some day you may be A buzzard too… But not quite yet! Until then you would Care…. b+ *thank you Dianne Tolley over at On the Border Tweet to @barbblogtwits http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://bit.ly/vOKpgC ..read more