After reading an article written by Lynda Smallwood entitled “Opportunity Still Knocks” on the website of www.yourgoodlife.org, I was inspired to write this story […]
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Small Town, Big Dog
Two faces of a small town. The pandemic has changed our lives. Along the way, this may have led us to new discoveries, or […]
An Island Tour
A rare gem revealed. Should your travels include landing at the Seattle airport, do yourself a favor and go to Bainbridge Island, a paradise […]
Homeschooling During COVID
Homeschooling has traditionally been pursued by highly motivated parents. COVID-19 has required this to be done by unprepared parents who would rather have their children […]
Lessons of the Wind
Things nature teaches. For the last seven months, I have been looking at the wind and waters of Lake Michigan. This is because my […]
Where Did I Go on Vacations As a Child?
Vacationing in the fifties. My vacations as a child (age 2-14) consisted mainly in visiting my grandmother and a couple of aunts and uncles […]
Inspiration
An 88 year old with no prior experience in art shares his work and his story I have been asked to explain why I […]
How “Old” Are You?
Special moments across time. There are some things about growing older that take getting used to. One of them is the relative nature of […]
More Memories
One of the best times in our lives. The following has nothing to do with Rochester itself, but we were there on November 22, […]
Unfinished Business
This is one person’s story, but you could have something like this on your wish list. Maybe you should go for it! A bucket […]
Rochester NY Back Then: Scrambled Memories
1962 a new experience and a rich opportunity. Rochester, New York has been in the news of late in relation to rather violent events. […]
The World We Share
Creatures surround us Most of us enjoy creature comforts whether we live in urban, suburban, or even in rural settings. We have ring doorbells […]
The Great Lakes
A treasure in our own backyard. I have had a lifelong love affair with the Great Lakes while growing up on Detroit’s east side. […]
Katrina
The American Red Cross responding to need. They knew it was coming. Satellites broadcast images as it crossed Florida on August 25 heading into […]
The Poet Within
We asked a poet, “why”? Here is her reply. LORD BYRON As a child, I loved the nursery rhymes Mother read to me and hymns, […]
What Goes Around Comes Around
You could become your grandparent. Growing up I spent lots of time in a multi-generational household. Both of my grandmothers were widowed, one in […]
Recommended TV
For your viewing… I highly recommend the British (originally on BBC) series “Call the Midwife” that was aired in the United States on […]
Is a Storage Unit Something for You?
One family’s story of life with a storage unit. I rented a storage unit three days ago. No, I rented two! The first […]
A Lesson
An act of kindness and a lesson learned A lesson for today. Many years ago, I was transferred to Forrest City, Arkansas. (named after […]
On Poetry
Awaken your muse? COVID-19 has provided more than ample time for reflection and writing; especially for seniors who live in residential communities and may […]
Miracles Really Can Happen
One man’s appreciation for the gift of sight. Being born the youngest in a family of four boys is not the best place to […]
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Covid-19 and virtual meetings. This is about how modern technology kept a long-standing group together. But how did we get here? In 1970, a […]
It Took an Eagle Eye
An article from the Associated Press was spied by Marion Harcourt who then shared this story with us at “Your Good Life”. A […]
Not a Talent Scout
Dad got this one wrong. In November of 1976 I was invited to a professional meeting in New York. I would be working during the […]
A Lifetime of Love and Saved Haircut Fees
Most “home” haircuts are one and done. This one lasted a lifetime. Back in August of 1962 Rosa Maria and I got married in Mexico […]
Anything Worth Watching?
Recommending entertainment options for others can be a dicey proposition. Most wisely skirt this issue. Excuse me for the audacity of taking it head-on. […]
Opportunity Still Knocks
A late baby boomer or early generation X speaks to the generations that have preceded hers. This is a heartfelt tribute to you […]
The Ninth Grade, ugh!!
I bet I am not the only one who had a terrible year at school. Here is one I remember. I spent eight […]
More Widow Lessons (Part 2)
As time went on, I learned, how to buy major appliances, get estimates on home repairs and acquire cemetery lots. All this happened while […]
Working at Home
It is happening now. What are the affects and how long will it last? Seated in my room with the door ajar I hear […]
Widow Lessons (Part 1)
When my husband and I were married in 1955, I expected I was going to be a traditional housewife. (Husband bringing home the bacon, […]
The Roadtrip
Going there can be better than getting there. In these long days of COVID-19, there are times when a person needs a break from the […]
A Long Overdue Family Reunion
Families may lose track of each other, but bonds in this family were kindled thanks to an unusual name. This is a story […]
Charlie and Warren
Sometimes a picture tells it all. About fifteen years ago I got a call from my friend Al Ueltschi, the founder of Flight Safety […]
A Moment Can Last Forever
Who knew that a moment, seemingly insignificant, would be indelibly imprinted for a lifetime. It was just a poem, words on paper. Yet it […]
The “Mighty Mac” Replaces the Ferry
Recollections of the past and a look at today. The Straits of Mackinac bridge, also called “The Mighty Mac” is a magnificent structure connecting […]
Try your hand at…
Writing a Chapbook story can be fun. Since you are checking out this week’s Chapbook, it is likely that you find this feature worth […]
A Gift Too Good to Use
Sometimes the thought is bigger than the gift. Sometimes a gift is so precious it is too good to be used. Maybe this makes […]
Hagia Sophia, a Missed Opportunity
Sound advice from an experienced traveler. In 1994 Art and I traveled to Istanbul Turkey. We spent a week in the city, I attended […]
Follow the Rules
Bureaucracy (bu-reauc-ra-cy): A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials. I believe in following the rules […]
Boom !
Seventy-four people were killed and nearly 400 were injured at a “Holiday on Ice” show in Indianapolis on October 31, 1963. Here are the words […]
Traditional Country Music
For those of you who want to enjoy some entertainment as a break from “all day news”, try some classic country music. Traditional country […]
The Last Goodbye
The times we live in stir emotions. Reflection: “See ya Monday!” That doesn’t sound like a last goodbye. Yet those are the words echoing across […]
Remembering the Birthday Party that Wasn’t
It is easy to take an event for granted until… For the past 35 years I have spent summers in northern Michigan. Since I […]
Listen World!
I’ve got stuff I need to tellSince this COVID-19 started,Marquette isn’t doing very well.The Legacy’s closed for diningFireside Grill is shut down tooCan’t go […]
The Cup of Sorrow
After 40 years on a shelf the true identity of the cup is revealed. Many years ago, a hospice patient gave me an enamel […]
The Altered World We Live In
We face a unique health risk and how it affects us can depend on us. Yesterday I observed a festive occasion on an […]
Buying a Car
Buying a new car is always exciting and even more so when it has novel features. It started in 1999 when I saw the […]
Do You Have a Real ID?
Real ID is not a national identification card. It does not create a federal database of driver’s license information…the purpose of Real ID is to […]
Isolation
Closets have been tidiedI have cleaned out all the drawers,Rearranged the kitchen cupboardsEven scrubbed the bathrooms floors. Read all the books I care toSewed on […]
A Lifelong Love of the Accordion
Sometimes things find us and other times we find things. This is the story of a boy and an accordion who found each other. Christmas […]
Professor Arthur Louis Dunham
We never know when a seemingly small event can have a life changing effect. In October 1952 I was a 17-year-old freshman at the […]
#2197
A memorable story from World War II. Marion R. Simpson was drafted into the United States army in 1943 at the age of […]
Aunt Peg
In your memories some things stick out and you wonder why. Here is one of mine. Did you have an Aunt Peg ? […]
‘Doug’
A poignant recounting of a moment in life that had a big impact on a few who were involved and likely many more who were […]
Arrested at Marshall Field’s
The start of a lively family discussion. In mid-November, while attending a convention in Chicago, Barbara and I decided to do some Christmas […]
Adaptive Re-use at the Zoo
Recommended by Lucy Librarian Warsaw Zoo, an unusual hiding place, was the jewel of Warsaw before the German occupation of Poland during World War II. […]
Tennis with Renee
Some things that happen on the spur of the moment become lifetime memories The place was Puerto Rico. It was 1984. The event was […]
How I met my wife
Those were the days when it was likely that you would meet the person you would eventually marry in college. This is a story […]
A New Way to Visit Your Doctor
This new way to see your doctor could be just the thing for you. After more than 30 years working with Telemedicine, including supervising […]
Welcome to the 21st Century
I’m not sure I am ready for this century; the new cell phones have so many new features. Blue Teeth, Air Droop, Super Hyper […]
One Hundred Years Old and Still Going Strong!
Not everything loses viability after a century. The past 50 years have witnessed unprecedented change; especially in communication, transportation, and technology. Computers and […]
What Makes Good Poetry? What Is Good Poetry? (Session)
While meaningful poetry is in the eye of the beholder, the list below provides some basic principles of poetry. There is no formula. There […]
When Just the Tide Went Out
A special poem for the time we are in. This poem highlights the wide reach of the COVID-19 pandemic brought to us through the […]
Is it OK to Share Your Email Address?
Are there risks when you give someone your email address? Email is a wonderful way to connect with friends and family. The immediacy […]
Write a Memoir?
Take advantage of the time you have during spring and COVID-19 to begin to write stories from your life. We are all in the process […]
Is Community College for You?
An alternative to the traditional four-year college experience is available. These days, much is said about higher education, with a lot of emphasis […]
Is it right?
Two points connected with a continuous band constitutes a line. The line can be a continuous curve, a parabola, or straight. We inhabit […]
Morning
There you are again,beloved Lord,being beautiful in the SkyThe trees,In the faces of yourCreated ones.My heart swells with a joyThat spills out.Into the world I […]
Time of Birth and Luck
In his acclaimed book, The Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell illustrated how time of birth can predict a life of good luck and success. This is an […]
Liberal Political Refugee
A liberal 4-year old political refugee? Or a pondering 84-year old adult? My father, Haroldo Díes, was a Spanish-born official assigned to the French […]
COVID-19 Virus Curve*
The COVID-19Virus curve evokes an imageOf a roller coaster ride ascending ever upwardWith unwilling passengers wishing they were elsewhereWhile grasping the bar tightly, not wanting […]
Revealing Our Inner Self
Stress can summon feelings that find refuge in words. COVID-19 came a-calling COVID-19 came a-callingDr. Fauci called the score’U S Mailman wouldn’t enterTwo staff members […]
Reflections
Little things can mean a lot. The recent change to daylight savings time triggered a fond memory. After World War II ended, I returned […]
You Have a Camera in Your Hand
Ever wish you could snap a picture of that memorable sight? If you have a smart phone you can. You may have noticed that Your […]
April is Poetry Month (Session)
Lord, who createdest man in wealth and store.Though foolishly he lost the sameTill he becameMost PoorWith TheeO let me riseAs larks harmoniously,And sing this […]
Still of the Night
In the still of the nightWhen all, except cat-burglars and nurses, are sleeping,I lie awake.My mind is a parade ground …..Unsummoned, unrelated, unwanted thoughts,Fears […]
Is It Cancelled or A New Way of Responding to Life?
The current crisis finds people working in creative ways. Besides all the wonderful support the Marquette staff is providing to the residents, I have […]
National Coronavirus Response
The only action we can take now to lessen the effect of the COVID–19 pandemic is to practice social distancing and personal hygiene. […]
Yesterday
From my perch on the fence,I watched the little lambs at play.Curly coats clean and pearly white,In the warm sunshine.I watched the little lambs…Yesterday…when […]
Thumbs up to American Airlines!
An upbeat story about air travel Recent studies of customer satisfaction with airlines have placed American at the bottom of US carriers. […]
Fighting an Unseen Enemy
We are dealing with a disease new to all of us and it is affecting not just us but the world’s population. The following is […]
COVID-19
COVID-19 came a-callingDr. Fauci called the score’U S Mailman wouldn’t enterTwo staff members did his chore. We are called to isolationNo more bus-trips to […]
Hide and Seek
A child’s game of hide and seekWe often played. Seeking to know the others’ thoughtsWhile holding back our own.I often asked “Lay bare your […]
Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe (Session)
The Poets’ Corner looked at the poetry and the incredible life of Edgar Allan Poe. Among his poems, The Raven, Annabel Lee and The […]
Find Your Voice
Residents living in a retirement community can find a voice through representation and a receptive administration. This is the experience of one such voice. […]
Isolation
Good I like myselfFor I have been called to isolationJust me and me I pray I may emerge a better personWhile all aloneJust a […]
The Pilot’s Gift
Gazing heavenward,A cross appeared in the blue.Prayer filled my heart.Thank you, PilotsFor this beautiful gift.Never will you knowYou sent God’s loveFrom above. Mary […]
The Virus
FearfulAnxiousWhere am II do not know Our fences are uselessThe unseen enemySlips byWhen we hold hands IsolateThe world itself is coldIt grates against meI […]
What Can We Do?
When things get tough, we can all pitch in. This is one of those times. I was dressed at seven. It was time […]
Session 1: Introduction to Haiku
Modern haiku is written in three lines of verse that comprise a stanza. The first and third lines contain five syllables each. The second […]
Session 2: Classic Haiku
Following are examples of haiku. The first is an example of the traditional form as written by the great master of haiku Matsuo Basho. The […]
Session 3: Modern Haiku
This session contains examples of work based on classical haiku. The examples are preceded by comments and a few words of explanation. I […]
Session 4: Capturing the Now in Haiku
The modern haiku that follows is written in impeccable 5-7-5 meter. When shown together, the four stanzas make a meaningful poem. […]
Session 5: Contemporary Haiku
Are you having fun writing haiku? The editors of Your Good Life created the following starting at the height of COVID-19 while living with […]
Session 6: Journaling with Haiku
OK, let’s try journaling with haiku. Maybe the seventeen syllables unlock deeply seated feelings with a range of meaning. This haiku may speak to […]
Hiking
A love of hiking and appreciation for how it can benefit a person’s life is clearly stated. “Happiness is one step at a […]
An Unprecedented Time
Our world, yes, our world! Is experiencing an unprecedented crisis – a pandemic. It is caused by COVID-19 a new virus more virulent than […]
Poetry of Emily Dickinson (Session)
Emily Dickinson is considered one of America’s finest poets. Some call her the best. Born in Amherst Massachusetts in 1830 she died in 1885 […]
Poetry of T. S. Eliot (Session)
T.S. Eliot was born September 26, 1888, at St. Louis, Missouri. He was the seventh child born into a family with strong roots in […]