After losing my husband 10 years ago, I joined a bereavement group. At the final session, a few of us decided to meet monthly for lunch. Perfect for me, because for the first time in my life, I had no friends who lived nearby. I’d just left an all-cons… Continue reading
Have you always dreamed of riding a horse, maybe even owning one? Do you finally have the time and money to turn your dream into a reality? Whatever your age, it’s never too late to slip your foot into a stirrup and mount up. Burt Schwab, 61, of Middle… Continue reading
Many Next Avenue readers are, or will be, stressed, worried and anxious figuring out what to do with their parents’ stuff. We know this because our 2017 story, “Sorry, Nobody Wants Your Parents’ Stuff” is our most-read, most-shared piece. And it led to… Continue reading
The strapping blond’s smile glinted as he handed me my boarding pass and luggage sticker. “There you go, young lady!” I gritted my teeth. Paused, holding the tip. “Look,” I said, “that doesn’t apply.” His mouth opened, but I went on: “Wait, no, I know … Continue reading
Part of the VITALITY ARTS SPECIAL REPORT A rooster sports a tower of vegetables on his head; a deer is adorned with Jack-in-the-Pulpits; blue jays and robins don weedy fascinators; a cardinal goes undercover in a mask made from seeds; a lamb is outfitt… Continue reading
If your extended family went away each summer to a cabin by the lake, a beach house or another special destination while you were growing up, you probably have a stable of vivid childhood memories: Gleefully swimming, hiking and playing board games wit… Continue reading
When I got married for the first time 15 years ago, at 47, people asked me if it was going to be difficult to adjust to marriage because I was “set in my ways” or “used to so much freedom.” Those comments were disturbing, but I shrugged them off as jus… Continue reading
What do you call an accordion player with a pager? An optimist. The old joke aside, the funny thing about the accordion is that this offbeat musical instrument remains a beloved part of our lives. It appears at family gatherings, and adds a perky laye… Continue reading
It used to be that the first thing I’d see each time I opened my credit card holder was my health plan ID. One day, I placed my fitness center ID on top of it. Now when I open the card holder, I grin, because at 70, time spent exercising in the pool is… Continue reading
Part of the VITALITY ARTS SPECIAL REPORT The ongoing debate over whether to remove Confederate statues in the South (and beyond) demonstrates how public art highlights what a society finds significant. By that measure, Ed Hamilton was pretty insignific… Continue reading