It’s been quite a run. In just three months, I’ve accomplished two, count them, two lifetime dreams — seeing the Northern Lights AND traveling to The Netherlands. And it’s all thanks to you know who — Handsome Hubby. That’s why I’m writing ANOTHER blog in praise of HH. Yes, I know, I know. It’s disgraceful. The post Done and Done. Two Lifetime Dreams in Three Months appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

Greetings all, I’m back from a wonderful, whirlwind European vacation. We walked, we “museum-ed,” we ate, we canal-cruised, we gawked, we delighted! Now, to ease my way back into writing, I thought I’d share a few trip highlights. Let’s start with a few numbers: Five countries in 22 days! Belgium, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, The post Whirlwind European Vacation appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

The trip was one-part anniversary present, one-part dream travel destination. Most of all, it was a long, longed-for spiritual re-connection with my father gone from my life for almost 40 years. The trip: to witness the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Some people learn of the magnificent Northern Lights in science classes. Others in travel The post Northern Lights. Familial Sights appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

It’s been quite a week, both glorious and hard. We just returned from an amazing anniversary journey to witness the famed Northern Lights which was a long-time dream of mine. However, the return home was marked by multiple epic fails, most of my own doing. Here are just a few of the lowlights. The Epic The post Epic Fails. In the Gym. In the Kitchen. appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

Does the thought of a super long life thrill you or chill you? Once upon a time, the idea of living to be 100 was extraordinary. Now, while hardly commonplace, it’s certainly more common and the ranks of hardy centenarians will only continue to grow as healthcare advances continue. There were nearly 600,000 centenarians worldwide The post FIRST PERSON: With modern medicine, I could love to 100. But do I want to? appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

The number 50 has symbolic and practical significance in Jewish thought. It spans the days between the Exodus from Egypt and Shavuot, when the Torah was revealed to us at Mount Sinai. The number, in the form of 50 shekels, even addresses the financial obligations of the ketubah, marriage contract. For me, the number 50 The post My 50-year high school reunion was strange, fun — and bittersweet – J. appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

After 12 years of glittery Christmas trees, but no menorahs, no Shabbat candles and no Friday night services, I suddenly got religion. I wanted to become a bat mitzvah. And so, with no prior religious studies, but with all the zeal of a convert, I began my “speed” Torah and Hebrew studies for the big The post Long Island history gone awry: the story of my not-mitzvah appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

The number 50 has symbolic and practical significance in Jewish thought. It spans the days between the Exodus from Egypt and Shavuot, when the Torah was revealed to us at Mount Sinai. The number, in the form of 50 shekels, even addresses the financial obligations of the ketubah, marriage contract. For me, the number 50 The post My 50-year high school reunion was strange, fun — and bittersweet – J. appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

After 12 years of glittery Christmas trees, but no menorahs, no Shabbat candles and no Friday night services, I suddenly got religion. I wanted to become a bat mitzvah. And so, with no prior religious studies, but with all the zeal of a convert, I began my “speed” Torah and Hebrew studies for the big The post Long Island history gone awry: the story of my not-mitzvah appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more

Long ago, I had a boss who worked long hours. Commendable, yes, but all too frequently and loudly he bragged of his Protestant work ethic. Each time he pointedly looked at Jewish me, also working those same long hours. It felt uncomfortable, but I just smiled. I knew from hard work and hard workers. Growing The post Workaholics of the world, unite! appeared first on Muddling through Middle Age ..read more