Wanderlust in the Hudson Valley: A Mother-Daughter Adventure
May 27, 2025
As our children grow into adults with lives of their own, it becomes increasingly difficult to find quality time together. So, when my daughter Joy and I discovered we each had a free weekend, we seized the opportunity to spend time together. Already afflicted with a serious case of wanderlust, I was thrilled to share an adventure with her in New York’s Hudson River Valley. The two-hour drive from Joy’s home in Philadelphia flew by as we chatted nonstop, catching up on life and laughing at old memories. We arrived in Nyack, New York, just in time for dinner. Our home base was a quaint bed and breakfast perched high above town. With its winding streets and hills, Nyack reminded me of a smaller, quieter version of Pittsburgh. That evening, the streets were alive with diners, music, and a gentle river breeze. After stretching our legs with a walk along the Hudson, we settled into a lively spot called Prohibition River for dinner. The energy was infectious, the food delicious, and the company, of course, just perfect. To set the stage for our next day’s outing to Sleepy Hollow, we returned to our room and watched Sleepy Hollow, the 1999 Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp. While it took many creative liberties with Washington Irving’s famous story, it offered just the right amount of spooky anticipation. Learn More

Bouffants, Bargains, and Bravery-My Mother
May 27, 2025
Mother’s Day is here, and until now, I’ve never truly shared much about my mother. I’ve mentioned her here and there, but today, I’m diving in headfirst. My relationship with my mother wasn’t always smooth. But as I grew older and became a parent myself, I’ve learned to view her through a more compassionate and understanding lens. It’s easy to spot the flaws in someone, especially a parent, but choosing to focus on their strengths is where understanding comes, and love deepens. I was a child of the 1960s, and my mother taught my brother and me the value of hard work. Our summers were spent tending a large garden—planting, watering, weeding, and eventually harvesting. Then came the canning season: the hottest days of the year spent peeling, blanching, and boiling. But nothing beats the satisfaction of hearing the lids "pop" as the jars sealed. It was a sound that signaled canning success! Once the work was done, my mother loved to entertain. She was always hosting parties, and I can still see her buzzing around the house trying to complete last-minute tasks before her guests arrived, exclaiming, “Everything is coming to a head at once!” My brother and I still say that from time to time, a little tribute to her signature phrase. Learn More

Magic, Meltdowns, and Mickey: A Nana’s Disney Adventure II
April 28, 2025
Last time we were together, I shared days one and two of my great Disney adventure with my son, his wife, and my two grandchildren, Sloan, who is six, and Oliver, who is four. Today, we pick up the magic with days three and four. On day three we kicked off the day with a trip to Hollywood Studios. By now, we had accumulated quite the assortment of merchandise—balloons, toys, souvenirs—and there was no convincing the kids to leave their new treasures behind at the hotel. The stroller had turned into a mobile gift shop. If the kids jumped out and you weren’t hanging on, it would tip backwards from the weight of everything dangling off the handle. Learn More

Magic, Meltdowns, and Mickey: A Nana's Disney Adventure
April 28, 2025
I just returned from a trip to Disney World with my son, his wife, and two of my grandchildren—Sloan and Oliver. It had been decades since my last visit, and to say things have changed is a gross understatement. I tried to prepare myself both mentally and physically for the trip, but nothing could have fully prepared me for what was ahead. I had my nails painted in Disney colors and shapes, my brand-new Mickey Mouse backpack was packed, and my Mickey pajamas and T-shirt, along with my warm-weather clothes, were neatly tucked into my carry-on. I was ready for adventure. The first shock came as soon as we stepped out of the airport into the sweltering Florida sun. That same morning, I’d scraped ice off my windshield back home. Now I was greeted by palm trees swaying in a humid, 90-degree breeze. Learn More

When It's Not Someone Else
April 28, 2025
I learned a difficult lesson several years ago—one that reshaped my perspective on life and compassion. It started with the distant wail of sirens as an ambulance sped by. I barely noticed it, continuing my day as usual. Then came "the call." My father was in that ambulance, being rushed to a helicopter that would fly him to a trauma center. He had fallen from a tree he was trimming, suffering severe, life-threatening injuries. Our lives changed forever that day. After numerous surgeries, weeks in the hospital, and months of rehabilitation, we brought him home as a quadriplegic. His remaining years were challenging, filled with hard-earned lessons. One of the most profound was this: It isn’t always someone else who faces heartbreak and hardship—sometimes it's you. That realization has stayed with me, making me more compassionate toward those facing their own struggles. Now, when I hear an ambulance, I no longer brush it off. I pause, imagine the family affected, and often whisper a prayer for them. Learn More