Dressbarn going out of business? About a year ago, my cousin, Mindy, turned me onto Dressbarn. Before that, I had never stepped foot into the place. I thought it was for older women. I didn't think I would like anything there, and besides, the clothes were inexpensive. How good could...
On Charities and Solicitation
The Jane Goodall Institute was the charity that my daughter raised money for when she had her Bat Mitzvah nearly 15 years ago. At a Bat or Bar Mitzvah, a 13-year-old has the opportunity to give "tzedakah," or to make a charitable donation to a worthy cause. At that time,...
Is It Worth Collecting “Chachkas”?
The word "chachka" is a Yiddish word meaning small trinket. Many of us collect something. My mother collected dolls, Lladros, plates, fairies and clowns. My father collected beer steins, miniature cars. They had so much stuff in their house. Is it worth collecting these types of Chachkas? I'm at fault...
The Year of the Pig
When I heard it was the Chinese Year of the Pig, I said to myself, "of course it is..." And, I'll tell you why... When I was living in an apartment in Long Beach, I had purchased a small fake pig made out of wood and placed it in my...
How to Get Your Parent to Move into an Independent Living Facility
For the past few years, my siblings and I have thought about how to get our parent to move to an independent living facility, but couldn't bring ourselves to make the decision. Interestingly, I get a call from my dad. He was at his girlfriend's apartment in Kings Point, Tamarac....
Quilt Filled with Love
My cousin and I grew up together. Many summers she and her brothers would spend the time at my parents' home in Long Beach. We didn't live far from the beach, maybe a quarter mile away and at the end of our block, we had the bay. So, as children,...
Golf at CitiField?
Could you imagine teeing off at Citi Field, the iconic home of the New York Mets? For fans of golf and baseball alike, this unique event combines the best of both worlds. During a chilly November weekend, my husband and I had the chance to experience the Citi Field golf experience,...
Q & A About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not only the most common form of dementia but also one of the greatest medical challenges of our time. According to recent estimates, around 5.7 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018, a number projected to almost triple by 2050. This condition remains the...
Fairy Tale Wedding in Connecticut
When we got the invitation to my friend, Madeline's daughter's wedding, I was excited. My husband and I had been there when she gave birth to Michelle, 29 years ago, so it was particularly emotional. We arrived in Connecticut about 2 hours after our departure from Long Island and saw...
Why Do People Ignore Messages? A Look at Text Message Etiquette
Have you ever sent a text, Facebook message, Instagram DM, WhatsApp, or email, only to be met with total silence? If you have, you're not alone. And if you're anything like me, that silence can leave you questioning. How does it make you feel? What’s your reaction when someone doesn’t...