Sign Language

Way back in 1998 (can that really be 18 years ago?!) a little book called The Celestine Prophecy caught my attention (along with several million other readers). Very true to the book, it wasn’t a coincidence–at least I didn’t think so–that I became aware of this gem at a time in my life when I was …

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Please Sir, I Want Some More

This week I’ve been working on the schedule for launching the 2nd edition of I Was In Love With a Short Man Once.  This has me thinking a bit about all the “seconds” in my life – books, marriages, homes, and careers. I do seem to re-direct my life quite a bit. Am I greedy? …

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What Would Mae Say?

I’m a picker. I love to scavenge through flea markets, estate sales, and yes, even other people’s trash, looking for cast-off treasures. I come by it quite naturally via my Irish nana who never passed by a thrift store without first stopping in to peruse the bins, shelves, and dusty corners looking for items that …

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Dear Doctor, Please Speak Human

It’s one of the things we midlifers, hanging out here in the middle-aged cheap seats, most dread: the idea that our parents may someday become ill. On a rational level, we know it’s highly likely that at some point we’ll need to step up and help take care of our moms and dads. But at an …

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7 Years in Fuzzy Bunny Slippers

Many of you who regularly join me here in the Middle-Aged Cheap Seats (bless you, by the way), have come to know me as Kimba: King Salmon Slayer, Estate Sale Junkie, sometimes writes books. What you may not know is that I also have a day-job working in public policy. Image provided courtesy of morgueFile, …

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Uterus Declares War!

Warning: what follows is an unabashedly truthful rendering of one woman’s journey through menopause. Men who are squeamish about discussions of blood, periods, Aunt Flo, cramps, tampons, sweating, vaginas, or middle-aged women in general should probably stop reading right about now. Bless your hearts. Image provided courtesy of http://www.gratisography.com/ In the past few years, my …

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Dollars to Doughnuts

I have come to love February. Not because of Valentine’s Day and certainly not for the weather. My fondness for this second month of the year has evolved per my family’s involvement in charitable fundraising.   My admiration for February began several years ago with my son Jimmy’s participation in THON. Each February–this year it’s …

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Midlife Swagger: We All Deserve An Anthem

The State of the Union address happened this week. As I watched President Obama it occurred to me that part of the swagger, in addition to being one of the most powerful people in the world, is that he has a theme song. Interestingly, they didn’t play Hail to the Chief as he walked into …

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The Year of the Challenge Envelope

“Hon, what exactly do you do with your allowance?” “Well, that’s my business.” “Yeah, but, you work from home…” “Hey, we made an agreement a long time ago that we each get the same amount of cash each week to blow as we see fit. No questions asked, remember?” “Yeah, but…” “Yeah, but, what?” “You’re …

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Dear St. Peter, About Those Christmas Lights

When my son Jimmy was young, circa second or third grade, he shared with me that he was pondering – as children often do – some of the secrets of the universe. I recall the conversation going something like this: “Mom, I have an idea about how we get into heaven.” “Why are you thinking about that?” …

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