by Jill Modell Modell-Dion Once upon a time —like in a fairytale is the go-to line I often use when addressing my middle-grade students. More often than not, it’s a guarantee to lose their interest immediately. Believe me when I say they’re a tough audience. Maybe I’m annoying when I complain about the world and its present state or when I open a conversation with, “When I was a kid.” I scan the room and can see their faces cringe as I am about to recall tales of the past. The question I should be asking at that exact moment is, “Do you guys really want to hear my story.” But unexpectedly, th ..read more

Sometimes the road best traveled is the part that’s not journeyed alone. Despite this truth, no one more than me appreciates the benefits of solitude. My motto proclaims, “Writing allows me to create a world where I’m never lonely.” And when writing, I am usually alone, except in my head, and I typically enjoy the company. So when traveling, my preferences for time alone versus spending it with others varies. I delight in the singleness when flying. Earbuds are an excellent signal to others, “Please leave me alone,” but if I am lucky and find myself next to an interesting person, I consider th ..read more

     Sunday night, you know where to find me. I’ll be on the couch, in constant contact with my Oscar mates. Yes, another year, and what makes this year different is I saw more movies for this year's award ceremony than before. I usually catch up with them after the Oscars, but what I did differently was I went to the theater.       Going to the theater is a concept many have abandoned because we can stream most movies at home. We’ve become content watching movies on our computers, tablets, and tv home screens. And especially young people like my grandson, wh ..read more

It’s five days since IAN the Terrible ravaged our communities. It tore through our homes, schools, stores, and beautiful island beaches. Having been through a few of these natural disasters before, one should never have to witness these things. How does one get these images out of your head? Go ahead and google, -----“Find the words to describe a category 4/5-hurricane.” One will get explosive, fierce, raging, and relentless; adjectives that define the mass destruction Southwest Florida recently experienced. But, I have trouble coming up with words that describe the understated losses.--- The ..read more

This was a letter I wrote to myself about a trip I took back in 2001 reflecting on my dad and the twin towers.--Jill      Only three months before 9/11 occurred, I made a trip to New York City, where my family gathered together for a small reunion at the Embassy Suites in Lower Manhattan. Our hotel was a few blocks from the World Trade buildings.      So many changes were about to happen.      My father would pass away four months after our reunion, on October 1st, 2001. But during our trip, he loved being in the very place close to where he gr ..read more

As I write this piece, it’s June 23rd, one of my favorite days of the year. It is the day before my birthday. On this day, there are always those feelings of hope, eagerness, and preparation for that big day where I get to be totally self-centered without judgment from others. For me, once midnight comes around on my birthday, I start to feel like it’s almost over, and I have to wait another whole year.  Silly but true. This year I’ve had to cover my ears and look away while living in these times is exhausting. No matter how hard I try to silence the crazy antics of l ..read more

It's 2022, and like every year, the Academy Awards sneak up on my calendar. "Of course, it's March!!"  I enjoy and look forward to them but not like the many millions that tune in five hours before to watch the fashion critique. ------Okay, I said it, but that's just me. I have my own thing about the Oscars. One of my most cherished Academy Awards nights was in Chicago in 1986. I was visiting my sister and dear friend John who were both there on business. My first trip to the Windy City did not disappoint me. Aside from being in an exciting new place, it was the Oscars. Memories of eating ..read more

     It was 1971, and two things that remain filed deep in my memory are getting my driver's license and seeing the marquee sign above the Ridgeway Theater in Stamford, Connecticut, for the movie Harold and Maude. And thus, began my Mother Goddess worship for Ruth Gordon, the feisty, mature actress who played Maude alongside her beloved young Harold. Surprisingly, as quickly as my infatuation developed, it continues today. Just saying her name is an affirmation for positive thoughts and rising above mediocrity. "Vice, Virtue. It's best not to be too moral. You&nbs ..read more

Someone who was wise once said, “Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” – Chinese Proverb While that’s all well and good, I can’t help but feel, “To change or not to change is never a clear choice.” We can opt to keep things frozen in time or refashion how we think and feel about almost anything and everything. Altering how we do things helps us fit into an ever-changing new world, but does it work for us as individuals? Consider those millions of people who, every day, order books online. It makes good sense while the advantages are practical ..read more

No matter how often I attempt to declutter both my closets and drawers, I discover my feeble attempts at becoming a fashion minimalist always falls short. Something always prevents me from moving forward. I have followed the experts on organizing and their advice on how to purge your way to a simpler life living a modest existence. They all seem to advise on getting rid of anything that has remained unworn for six months. Clean it out, box it, and get it out! It is not a complicated process for most people, and for me, there is always a dilemma each time I attempt this undertaking. I just can ..read more