As I scrolled through my online New York Times, a photo of an editor at work gave me pause. Paper did not lay strewn across his desk. Instead, he focused on his computer screen. Then I realized I was reading … Continue reading →
Had enough? Say “Uncle.” Do kids still say that when they want a playmate to give up? Sometimes caregivers need to recognize when it’s time to cry “uncle.” A loved one may have so many care … Continue reading →
Jerry Jenkins co-author of the Left Behind series and numerous other books, created the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild to help aspiring Christian authors grow their craft. I’ve been a member for years, and the mantra, “all writing is rewriting,” appears … Continue reading →
There are many things I love about writing books. Plotting is not one of them. The Divine Meddler began with a question born out of my near brush with jury duty for a capital murder case. What if, instead … Continue reading →
Several years ago, I wrote this article, which was published in Hope for Women Magazine, about how devastating it is for someone to lose control over their lives. It is as true today as it was then. I learned then … Continue reading →
OR? I am of a certain age where I can tell you that never have I seen so many long- held beliefs challenged on every level. I grew up on meat, potatoes, and vegetable dinners, eggs for … Continue reading →
Recently, I spoke with Maria Wehrle, founder and director of Mothers in Need of Others (MINO). In 2004 she took a “spiritual gifts” class at church, hoping to learn what she might do next with her life. It was the … Continue reading →
What do you imagine when you hear the word “writer?” An artist with her head in the clouds? A man cackling away while he writes about the Cracken taking down a Martian fleet of aliens? Or just a … Continue reading →
As people age, their health doesn’t always change at the same pace. As a result, you may have one parent who needs the full-time support that only a nursing home can provide and another who doesn’t. When that happens, it’s hard to figure out what to do.
Here we go again. Are y’all as sick of this masking debate as I am? My NPR feed has a good article about masking that links to CDC’s latest, and probably the most realistic advice yet. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/02/25/1082249002/cdc-says-americans-can-now-go-unmasked-in-many-parts-of-the-country?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20220227&utm_term=6371966&utm_campaign=health&utm_id=52698351&orgid=311&utm_att1= Highlights of Article … Continue reading →
If it weren’t for family caregivers, our health care system would implode. There would be a huge need for nursing home or assisted living beds that no community could fill. Currently, there are not enough saints who are willing to … Continue reading →
While I was standing in the check-out line in the grocery store, a magazine touting the keto diet caught my eye. I didn’t bite (pun intended), and here’s why. Dr. Greger at Nutrition Facts.org. If you are reading my health … Continue reading →
“She’s eligible, but there’s a waiting list.” “The program sounded good but wasn’t what it was cracked up to be.” “Don’t go the emergency room. They’re slammed with Covid.” Health Care System Flatlining America spends more for health care than … Continue reading →
On November 15, 2021, my wonderful husband entered into the light of Christ. He transitioned from the temporal to the eternal, leaving behind a body that was his worst enemy. From age nine to 86 arthritis tried to stop … Continue reading →
It’s not like I’m out there partying heartily or mixing with lots of people. Sure, I wear a mask when I go to the grocery store or sit mask-less when alone in the library’s Quiet Zone. All the members of … Continue reading →
At one time, people expected to receive good care in nursing facilities. Life expectancy after a serious medical crisis is longer now because of the surgical, medical, and pharmaceutical progress we have made over the years. Yet that very progress … Continue reading →
I call it the tyranny of the six-o’clock meal. It’s usually late afternoon and I’m deep into whatever project I’ve finally gotten to after blowing through the day’s dull tasks. Be it drafting an article, piecing a quilt, doing research, … Continue reading →
It is rare to find a practicing geriatrician and professor who also has the heart of a pastor, but John Dunlop, MD, blends clinical knowledge and scripture in his book Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia. His insights on … Continue reading →
My first novel was easy. I slid a fresh piece of paper into my Smith Corona and began with Chapter One. I kept writing until I reached the end of the story. Easy as pie. I think that manuscript lies … Continue reading →
One Sunday I heard the shortest sermon in history. It was blistering hot, and the sermon was this: “You think this is hot?” So here’s my shortest blog ever. I’m taking a mini vacation this week but offer this … Continue reading →
I really don’t have time for my new assignment. A new group to hate. I can’t keep up with the workload already. Republicans hate Democrats. Democrats hate Republicans. Liberals hate conservatives. Conservatives hate liberals. Then there’s the old standbys —Black … Continue reading →
When Susan asked me to write about why I read fantasy I thought, “Sure. That’ll be fun.” It is not fun. How do you explain something almost everyone loves? (Do you like Disney and Pixar movies? Fantasy. Every super-hero movie … Continue reading →
So I just bought another book — Dr, Michael T. Murray MD’s The Magic of Food – Live Longer and Healthier and Lose Weight- with the Synergetic Diet. I need another diet plan like a hole in the head, but … Continue reading →
I looked forward to attending church service this weekend for the last month. We could finally gather for worship without making a reservation, sitting far away from each other, or wearing masks unless we wanted to. We enjoyed lemonade after … Continue reading →
I sit in the “Quiet Study” area in my local library three days a week for four hours at a time. It gives me uninterrupted time to write whatever is nearing deadline. When I look up from my computer screen, … Continue reading →
In my last Caregiving blog, I portrayed three sets of caregivers soon to be in crisis. Although we want to avoid them, when dire situations attack suddenly, we need help yesterday. Overall, it’s best to provide the safest, most effective … Continue reading →
We all use them, and they are not about to go away. Some days I would swear that phone knows more about my life than I do. I would have forgotten an appointment today if not for my … Continue reading →
Caesar asked, “What is truth?” Today, we ask, “What is the truth?” Politics, economics, when life begins, truth-tellers, and liars —all up for grabs. If we don’t know the truth, or can’t agree … Continue reading →
This week, I introduce Pat Embury, a cozy mystery writer (among other talents). I asked her to share why this genre attracts her. Here is what she had to say. Pat Embury I generally write cozy mysteries, although I am … Continue reading →
Caregiving has many facets. It can range from helping with grocery shopping and taking a loved to doctor’s appointments to full-time 24 hour care. In a way, it’s a journey and the landscape gradually changes. But sometimes a sudden drop-off … Continue reading →
While thinking about what to write today, a tale about a man attending a certain church for the first time came to mind. He had spruced himself up as well as he could that Sunday morning. His shirt with frayed … Continue reading →
None of the writers in our Greece Writers Group share the same genre. Although the craft of writing and that burning need to grab the reader’s attention and never let go, is common to all writing and writers, we each … Continue reading →
Two people can observe the same incident but come away with different interpretations. Was it morally right? Who is to blame, if there is any blame to be had? Was that a helpful situation or a harmful one? Even … Continue reading →
Writing and research are inseparable. Even something as mundane as what supermarket chain is popular in Texas (H.E.B.) needs to be accurate, or you will lose a Texan fan (or twenty). Beyond researching historical, geographic, scientific, etc. facts, the particular … Continue reading →
It took over a year that included questioning my sanity, to finally prove I had an underactive thyroid gland. You would think that diagnosis would be a slam-dunk, but apparently it can be elusive. That I did not exhibit symptoms … Continue reading →
We’ve all encountered “that book,” the one that takes you on a tour of a world you never knew existed or touches you in a way that changes your life a bit, hopefully for the better. Reclaiming Conversation – the … Continue reading →
I was shopping with my husband in the “healthy” grocery store food section. Trying to be helpful, Gene drew my attention to delicious looking items that were either too high in sugar, fat, or salt. Even non-GMO, organic, foods can … Continue reading →
November broods over us with early darkness and chill breezes. Add the pandemic, national polarization, and election recounts, now more than ever, we need a glimmer of hope and light. My dear friend and author, Patricia Iacuzzi, loves to celebrate … Continue reading →
Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Author/Speaker Ann (Nancy) Rhodes, NP. We met online and then shared a delightful hour getting to know each other in a virtual meeting. Based on her work as a nurse practitioner in … Continue reading →
As a woman “of a certain age” married to someone of an even higher “certain” age, I find that galloping entropy has taken over our lives. Since entropy (that unrelenting decreasing functioning of just about every body part), has reared its ugly head, we spend more time than we would...
A well trained dog performs better and is more content than a dog without discipline. One way or another, God will teach us he is sovereign.
Have you ever brainstormed solutions to a problem, only to realize you have a problem for each solution? I find when I do that, I’m left to stew in my own juice while I make no progress. That’s me when … Continue reading →
No doubt the world is hoping for that magic bullet, that shot in the arm, more quickly than ever as now we learn President Trump is hospitalized with Covid -19. Clearly this novel virus can even break through the protective … Continue reading →
Reading the Old Testament and studying Church history makes it clear that our Christian faith is deeply rooted in Judaism. Pastors declare the entire Old Testament points to the coming of Jesus. Messianic Jews frequently tell about coming to know … Continue reading →
My son was 9 when I dragged him to a concert featuring Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by our town’s orchestra. I wanted John to experience the emotional power Beethoven, at his best, can summon. This link between the classical and … Continue reading →
I felt mightily deprived when I transitioned to a whole food, plant-based diet. I imagined a nasty gremlin sitting across the table from me, pulling away my favorite foods. Goodbye steak, goodbye sour cream-laden baked potato, so long cheesy pizza … Continue reading →
I am writing this on July 30th, the day of John Lewis’ funeral. He wrote this letter to his fellow Americans only days before he died, and requested it be read at his funeral. Here is the link to … Continue reading →
Ella assured herself her husband was basically okay. George’s confusion happened only occasionally. There was no need to worry the kids. She was managing, with some days harder than others. Her house of cards crashed the day George fell and … Continue reading →
Are we headed for extinction by global warming in the next hundred years? The documentary, Cowspiracy, points to our addiction to meat, and the way we raise livestock to feed that craving, as one of our greatest threats. Producers Kip … Continue reading →
Mea culpa. I am guilty. This nation is guilty. That disgusting news clip of a man, who is old enough to know better, raising his fist and shouting “white power,” shows how many still do not see our collective and … Continue reading →
Dementia does not care who you are. From President Ronald Reagan to your Aunt Tillie, anyone can fall prey to this insidious disease. Alzheimer’s gradually overrides memory, personality, and emotions. In his book, The Soul of Care – The … Continue reading →
For me, the name Ebenezer conjures a wizened old farmer in dirt smudged coveralls. I wonder if anyone’s been named Ebenezer since the 20th century. I heard an interesting reference to Ebenezer in Joni Eareckson Tada’s seven-day devotional Shelter in … Continue reading →
A Roman Soldier’s Horse by Patricia Iacuzzi Remember when Downton Abbey hijacked America’s attention every week? The series was a great yarn that took place over 100 years ago, in a world far different from today. Good historical … Continue reading →
Caregiving is an expression of love, a way of “giving back,” or simply part of the circle of life. “My parents took care of me. Now it’s my turn,” says about every adult child caregiver in the world. Sunshine … Continue reading →
Cancer- causing toxins and pollutants surround us, and play a huge role in cancer formation. We now know that asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, the abdomen, sometimes the tissue surrounding the heart, … Continue reading →
Last week’s National Nurses Day heralded a flood of appreciation for the work nurses do as they (and other health care workers/first responders) risk their lives to save others. Such dedication seems so much a part of American heroism, we … Continue reading →
I once listed every book title I read over a year, and placed them under Fiction or Non-fiction headings. If you had asked me, I would have guessed I read more fiction than non-fiction, but actually it was about … Continue reading →
I haven’t a clue how this pandemic fits in the scheme of things. Theories abound. Is this God’s wrath being poured upon our sinful world, like it was on the Jews as described by the prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah … Continue reading →
As a reporter, I’ve gotten to meet many interesting people. Sometimes we become friends. That’s what happened several years ago when I covered Robert Zinnecker’s book signing event at the Alpha & Omega Parable Book Store for The Good News … Continue reading →
It happens all the time. You or your loved one was hospitalized and it’s now time to return home, but with assistance. Suddenly diapers, bed protectors, urinals become part of your shopping list. (And by the way, you can buy … Continue reading →
A dear friend, thank you Sheila Flood, sent me this video from U tube. This is an excellent, accurate, and imperative demonstration of using “aseptic technique” – as used in operating rooms- to disinfect and store food in these unprecedented … Continue reading →
While cases of Covid-19 are on the rise, not every case is symptomatic. Social distancing sequesters those who are ill with the virus, and protects each of us from those who are unwitting carriers. Their immune systems protect the thousands … Continue reading →
Caregivers wear short leashes. As our loved ones’ conditions deteriorate, we caregivers find it more and more difficult to leave home for any length of time. Hiring a companion or aide helps, but the cost may limit our “free” hours; … Continue reading →
My wonderful mother was not a domestic diva. She knew nothing about cooking when she and Dad married. “Your Grandfather wanted a homemade pie. I had no idea how to make it, but followed a recipe. I rolled the dough … Continue reading →
I was not sure where this blog belonged on my webpage. Body and soul work together, and unless your loved one dies unexpectedly, you will likely become a caregiver. Caregiving sorely taxes one mentally, spiritually and physically. Ultimately, I decided … Continue reading →
For Rick Iekel, history is more than a record of events stretched along a continuum. Rather, it is the DNA of our humanity, all the “stuff” that makes us who we are. As a young boy, he observed his mother … Continue reading →
Experiencing her mother’s failing health made Debra Kostiw realize how important it is for frail elders to have supportive, caring companions. Friends and family can do only so much, as Kostiw painfully learned. Now, owner of the Rochester office of … Continue reading →
I am on the horns of a dilemma. As a (mostly) vegan consumer, I welcome something savory and easily prepared. These plant- based, meatless burgers and sausages sound like an answer to a prayer. I can cook one of those … Continue reading →
“There are many paths to heaven” “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Well, which is it? Norman Geisler and Peter Bocchino, in their book Unshakable Foundations: … Continue reading →
Sometimes a little help here and there makes it possible for the elderly to remain at home rather than move into a facility. I spoke with Mary Terwilliger, Executive Director of Living Well Companion Care, about this service line of … Continue reading →
At our last writers group meeting, I mentioned I find it harder to find novels that hold my interest. Some seem trite and others are poorly written. Steve said it was because writers recognize bloopers that somehow get past editors, … Continue reading →
I raised my voice, as if I my friend could understand me better if I turned up the volume. Turns out, there are far better ways to communicate with the confused and demented, as I learned from a presentation sponsored … Continue reading →
No one argues that we need Vitamin D. Although we call it a vitamin, our bodies also produce Vitamin D, along with melatonin, when we expose our skin to sunlight. According to Patrick Quillin PhD, RD, CNS, in his book … Continue reading →
Occasionally our writers group pens what we call a “Round Robin.” It’s great fun, since none of us knows what literary masterpiece (or mess) will evolve from our blended imaginations. We each draw a number and wait for the writer … Continue reading →
Playing personal playlists of old musical favorites help dementia patients with memory, mood, pain reduction, and managing emotions.
Did you know celery is a cancer fighting anti-oxidant, and contains luteolin that retarts cancer tumor growth? It also is rich in Vitamins K, A, and C.
I’ve been musing about aging lately. Partly because I write about aging issues under my Care Giving blog stream, but mostly because I am “of a certain age” and growing older by the minute. Today, while driving through the fall … Continue reading →
History is clear. Jesus was Jewish. He was the perfect, complete Jew who followed, not a legalistic Pharisaical list of rules, but the Father’s intentions for his sacred laws. Jesus went to the heart of matters. Yet, even while he … Continue reading →
Rochester author John Caligiuri releases his latest book, Cocytus: Sanctuary in Hell. This is the second of a four-part science-fiction series.
In my work as a community health nurse for Monroe County, I quickly learned caregivers and their care receivers are inseparable. Helping one helps the other. I also learned Monroe County is rich in resources for the elderly. So much … Continue reading →
Make no mistake. Healthcare is a thriving industry in America. Are we getting a bang for our buck? Here is how our healthcare system ranks compared to other developed countries. Hint: disheartening considering how much money we … Continue reading →
Living According to the Bible’s Instructions When Daniel was a prisoner in King Nebuchadnezzar’s Jewish think-tank, he refused to defile himself by eating delicacies from the King’s table. Instead, he and his fellow brain-trust prisoners convinced the chief eunuch … Continue reading →
We cannot be held responsible if we have no control over a situation. We try our best but cannot control outcomes. Taking responsibility for what we cannot controll leads to stress.
When my editor asked me to write about the Kol Nidre service (held the evening of the holy day of Yom Kippur) at a local Messianic Jewish congregation, I had no idea what to expect. Until then, I … Continue reading →
THANK GOD FOR THE WRITTEN WORD I think all writers are readers, but not all readers are writers. We love to immerse ourselves in good books, don’t we? Fiction or non-fiction, a book is a magic carpet whisking us … Continue reading →
ONE KINGDOM UNDER GOD The more I learn, the more amazed I become. It’s easy to say God created all things, but when I consider how he created all things to work together, I am brought to my knees. DIVINE … Continue reading →