The 12 Days of Christmas: A Time for Rest, Reflection, and Renewal
Christmas is tomorrow. Are You Ready? Chances are, you’ve been rushing around, trying to make the holiday perfect for everyone—cooking, wrapping gifts, and making plans with family and friends. It’s a joyful time, but it’s also exhausting. Before the big day arrives, I want to share a moment that shifted my perspective on this season….
What Are You Giving Yourself—and Others—This Christmas?
Last week, I gave myself an early Christmas gift: a trip to New Mexico to photograph the crane migration at Bosque de Apache near Socorro, NM. Of course, being in the middle of December was inconvenient. My first thought was, I can’t possibly go then; I have too much to do for Christmas. And then…
Let It Go: A Holiday Guide for Finding Joy in Imperfection
I have been letting many things go this holiday season. With Thanksgiving being late, I think we all feel the “shortened” season. Since I’m going on a photography trip in the middle of the month, I’ve decided just to let go of several holiday tasks to reduce my anxiety. Recently, I’ve been walking around singing Let It Go from the…
December: A Time of Reflection and Renewal
The Christian faith’s season of Advent began this past Sunday, December 1. Many of us spent the past week in the U.S. giving thanks with family and friends. As the calendar turns to December, it’s easy for anxiety to creep in as we think about all we have to do in the next 24 days….
Giving Thanks for the Big and Small
Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, a time rich with connection, meaning, and reflection. For me, this holiday is all about gratitude. Yes, I know the history of Thanksgiving is complex, with sides of the story that aren’t always fully told. But what it represents today is something I embrace: a moment to pause, gather,…
Does Time REALLY Move Faster As We Age?
Do you feel like time is racing by, and your life is moving at warp speed? You’re planting your spring flowers one minute, and the next, you’re decorating your Christmas tree. It seems as though even though time is flying, the days blur together, and my to-do list keeps laughing at me. Sometimes, I have…
December: A Time of Reflection and Renewal
The Christian faith’s season of Advent began this past Sunday, December 1. Many of us spent the past week in the U.S. giving thanks with family and friends. As the calendar turns to December, it’s easy for anxiety to creep in as we think about all we have to do in the next 24 days….
Reason, Season, or Lifetime: Curating Our Social Circle as We Age
I’ve always believed that God puts people in our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Looking back, I can see how, time and again, the right people entered my life exactly when I needed them most. Sometimes, they were there to help me through a tough season—those angels who come in, play…
Finding Freedom in Letting Go This Holiday Season
As November begins, the holidays are upon us, and I can’t help but wonder, where has 2024 gone? For many, this season doesn’t resemble the joyful Hallmark movie portrayal of family gatherings and laughter. Since my husband died, I’ve dreaded this time of year. For me, the stretch from mid-November to New Year’s Day is…
The Autumn Years
When I talk about finding your passion, purpose, and possibilities, I often refer to the autumn years of our lives. Sounds pretty poetic, right? But let’s be real—what does it really mean? We’re aging, no denying that, but we still have plenty of life ahead of us. When I catch myself complaining about getting older,…
Aging Gracefully vs. Disgracefully—Let’s Break it Down.
There are sayings about “aging gracefully.” But honestly, what does that even mean? I think aging disgracefully sounds way more realistic and fun. Throw out the rules, forget what society expects — embrace and create chaos wherever you can. Whether you’re sipping tea or zip-lining, it’s all about how you choose to live the last…
What does self-care mean to you?
Women have always been taught to care for others first. Whether raising children, supporting a partner, caring for an aging parent, or helping friends in need, we’ve often put ourselves at the bottom of the list. We’ve been trained to put others before ourselves, to be of service. You’ve spent years nurturing others; now it’s…
The 12 Days of Christmas: A Time for Rest, Reflection, and Renewal
Christmas is tomorrow. Are You Ready? Chances are, you’ve been rushing around, trying to make the holiday perfect for everyone—cooking, wrapping gifts, and making plans with family and friends. It’s a joyful time, but it’s also exhausting. Before the big day arrives, I want to share a moment that shifted my perspective on this season….
What Are You Giving Yourself—and Others—This Christmas?
Last week, I gave myself an early Christmas gift: a trip to New Mexico to photograph the crane migration at Bosque de Apache near Socorro, NM. Of course, being in the middle of December was inconvenient. My first thought was, I can’t possibly go then; I have too much to do for Christmas. And then…
Let It Go: A Holiday Guide for Finding Joy in Imperfection
I have been letting many things go this holiday season. With Thanksgiving being late, I think we all feel the “shortened” season. Since I’m going on a photography trip in the middle of the month, I’ve decided just to let go of several holiday tasks to reduce my anxiety. Recently, I’ve been walking around singing Let It Go from the…
December: A Time of Reflection and Renewal
The Christian faith’s season of Advent began this past Sunday, December 1. Many of us spent the past week in the U.S. giving thanks with family and friends. As the calendar turns to December, it’s easy for anxiety to creep in as we think about all we have to do in the next 24 days….
Giving Thanks for the Big and Small
Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, a time rich with connection, meaning, and reflection. For me, this holiday is all about gratitude. Yes, I know the history of Thanksgiving is complex, with sides of the story that aren’t always fully told. But what it represents today is something I embrace: a moment to pause, gather,…
Does Time REALLY Move Faster As We Age?
Do you feel like time is racing by, and your life is moving at warp speed? You’re planting your spring flowers one minute, and the next, you’re decorating your Christmas tree. It seems as though even though time is flying, the days blur together, and my to-do list keeps laughing at me. Sometimes, I have…
A Love-Hate Relationship with Cruising: My Mykonos Experience
Let’s get real for a moment—I have a love-hate relationship with cruising. I adore the convenience of unpacking just once, knowing that my cozy bed will be waiting for me each night. Room service with my morning coffee? Yes, please. Elegant teas and delicious dinners? Count me in. But, honestly, I hate that I only…
Safety When Traveling Abroad
The locations I’ve provided in a recent travel guide are generally considered safe for travelers, especially when basic travel safety precautions are observed. However, safety can vary based on several factors, including political stability, local laws, and cultural norms, especially for women traveling alone. Here’s a quick overview of considerations for some of the destinations…
Steps to Travel Safely in Today’s World
Travel and photography are two of my top priorities. As I mentioned last week, I am planning the next two years of travel. I do have concerns about potential global conflict in some regions, but I am planning anyway. In my years of personal travel, there has only been one time I felt unsafe and…
Exploring the World: Ideal Destinations for Women and the Best Times to Go
A 12-Month Calendar of Ideas When I set foot in Europe at 16 on a school trip, my love for travel and history was ignited. That three-week adventure across the continent opened my eyes to the wonders of the world, and I knew I was destined to explore its vast landscapes and cultures. Throughout my…
Introducing Kathy Kelley: Our New Travel Advisor
We are excited to introduce Kathy Kelley as our new travel advisor! With her extensive experience crafting unique travel experiences, Kathy is here to bring you the best in travel tours, many of which come with special pricing for solo travelers. Kathy Kelley and I are planning an exciting Tauck tour of Italy next year,…
Albuquerque for My 66th Birthday on Route 66
I love to travel, but I wouldn’t say I like to travel sometimes. I was excited to head to New Mexico to be with a good friend for my 66th birthday. My friend and I tried to calculate how many times I’d been to New Mexico to visit her over the past 16 years. It…
The Unspoken Exit Door: Revealing How Corporations Discriminate Against Older Workers in America
While society promotes diversity and inclusivity, a troubling issue persists: corporations unfairly targeting older employees. The silent discrimination of ageism not only impacts those directly affected but also shapes the overall makeup of our workforce. I faced this harsh reality when my senior vice president asked if I was taking a buyout as I was…
Losing Your Job
I know many people who lost their positions this past week. I feel for them, and I understand the anger, anxiety, and fear you’re feeling. I wrote a draft of the following blog post and checklist to publish later this month. I hope it helps and inspires some of you who are going through job…
From Corporate Job Loss to Joining the Gig Economy
Losing a corporate job can be a devastating experience, particularly for women over 60 who have dedicated years to their careers. However, in the face of this setback, many resilient women are discovering new opportunities in the gig economy. They are embracing the flexibility and autonomy of gig work to keep money flowing while searching…
Estate Planning for Women
When my husband died, I was in shock, saddened, and angry. Every emotion you can think of for someone who lost the love of her life. Following the funeral, the day will come when you must look at the business aspect of dying. That’s not meant to be cold-hearted; it’s a reality. I think my…
Confronting Financial Uncertainties as We Age
The thought of financial insecurity in our senior years is frightening. Honestly, my biggest fear is outliving my savings and compromising the lifestyle I enjoy. This image, perhaps as vivid as the lone woman with a shopping cart at a busy intersection, is not just a personal nightmare but a shared concern among us. In…
Protecting Yourself and Friends from Financial Scams
The rise of financial scams targeting older people is a growing concern that hits close to home for many of us. Whether through online deception, telephone fraud, or romance scams, the impact on victims is not just financial but deeply emotional. Sadly, I’ve witnessed older women in my community, once vibrant and independent, grappling with…
Roasted Tomato Sauce/Paste
The Surprising Reality of Roasting Tomatoes: A Journey from Garden to Table I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen and garden. Sometimes, taking on a new project is fun, especially when it involves fresh produce from your garden or a generous neighbor’s harvest. But occasionally, the process can surprise you—and not always in the way you’d…
The Art of Cooking and Dining for One
Sometimes, tossing a frozen pizza into the oven is more accessible than cooking a healthy meal. I love to cook but don’t like to cook for myself. And here I am encouraging you to cook for yourself! Let’s face it: cooking for yourself is healthier, less expensive, probably more delicious, and we are worth cooking…
Batch Cooking
I love to cook. Food is my language; if I love you, I will feed you. While I love to cook, I also love to eat. Some days, I want to grab dinner from the freezer. I want to share several recipes that are usually in my freezer. Much of my batch cooking follows a…
