The number of Lucy moments I’ve been having seem to be increasing proportionately with age. Last week I drove into the city and thought I experienced a miracle as a parking space opened up just as I approached my daughter’s apartment. It’s not the parting of the Red Sea, but for New Yorkers it’s a close second. I was now going to save the…

Veteran’s Day passed this week without a lot of fanfare. Though getting a day off is always welcome, I’m not sure those enjoying that perk truly appreciate the cost and sacrifice it required. Can anyone who hasn’t served in the military or been related to someone who served ever really understand? Maybe not, but what we can recognize and appreciate is the safety and liberty we enjoy because of their sacrifice. How can we not…

At a literary luncheon this week, the speaker was asked how she chose the time period for her book. She chuckled and replied it was the only time she knew. She added that you know you’re old when you write about your lifetime and it’s called historical fiction! She’s not much older than me so I could empathize. Age-related milestones seem to be the theme these days. Checking out at the grocers last week I noticed a sign promoting senior discounts and was shocked …..

My model ‘audition’ was this week, which simply entailed having areas photographed that my husband hasn’t seen for years – at least not in the light. Apparently, I have just the right amount of ‘old’ skin, as my daughter describes the cottage cheese dimpling that no amount of diet, exercise or beauty products can prevent – regardless of what they promise. I may have received complements in the past about my facial dimples, which have now morphed into wrinkles, but no one will ever complement dimples on your butt or…..

When I was on a game show at 13, I briefly entertained delusions of being ‘discovered.’ It was a crushing blow when the program aired revealing my fumbling ordinariness. Yes, I did all the silly things you mock contestants for – stuttering, making stupid moves, jumping up and down when you win. Sadly, no one…..

We had our first social at Bible study last week, where we share coffee and treats while getting acquainted away from our studies. A group of women never lack for conversation, so our leader reigned us into one discussion by posing this question, “Is there something in your purse that would reveal something about yourself?” It elicited a variety of interesting responses. I thought about the contents of my bag and wondered what I might share…

Living in New York City is an expensive endeavor. Steep rents are just one of the contributing factors of the soaring cost of living. My son recently discovered just how pricey New York can be as he was burglarized twice in one week. Being exposed to the ugly underbelly of New York was quite the experience. He met a slew of NYPD’s finest, testified in front of a grand jury…..

During lunch with a friend last week, we were discussing a social media celebrity my daughter follows ‘religiously.’ I’ve always been stymied as to why. I can’t even get her to read my weekly blog! Regardless, this friend’s son recently teamed up with the woman in question, so she gave me a tutorial on the role of an “influencer.” I was aghast at the amounts of money these people earn simply for endorsing a product. I inquired as to how this seemingly ‘normal’ person acquired the authority to…..

Fall/winter is my favorite season. I adore ‘sweata weatha.’ Along with the cooler weather, fall ushers in a new Broadway season with a host of new shows. I saw a fantastic one last week – free of charge. My parents assisted living community (The Farm) sponsored a talent show for the ‘inmates’ as my parents refer to themselves. It may not have been Broadway, but it was better than some of the shows I’ve seen recently. A musical comedy of sorts. You haven’t lived…..

During our recent girls’ outing, the conversation eventually circled back to our younger days as it usually does. Every time I’m with my childhood friends something from my past surfaces that stuns me. They all seem to remember a lot more about me than I do – and none of it complimentary. The leather bustier they swear…..

Despite the fact that my life is no longer dictated by the school calendar, September still marks a new year of sorts. Bible study began this week, and once again the feeling of returning ‘home’ enveloped me as I arrived, eager to greet old friends and meet new ones. More importantly, I was itching to dive into…..

Last year my childhood friends and I visited Nashville to celebrate our new title as sexagenarians. Believe me, it’s not as suggestive as it sounds. Based on conversations with my peers, I’ve decided that title was created by an overly optimistic, newly retired male, with vastly different ideas than his wife as to how he was going to fill his day. Either that or …..

Enjoying the last ‘official’ weekend of the summer is bittersweet. Though I am eager to return to a more disciplined routine with healthy eating, exercise classes and Bible study, it’s difficult to leave the ocean, my constant companion that offers so much peace and comfort during the summer. It’s a permanent reminder of the depth and breadth of God’s love. I can’t look out over the ocean without thinking of Ephesians 3:18, which encourages us…..

Meet my new friend Marty. I bumped into him recently during a trip to Stop & Shop. I turned into the produce aisle and crashed into him - literally. Marty is a supermarket robot - Stop & Shop’s newest employee. He has one job – to roam the aisles looking for spills. Though I find his googly eyes and big smile adorable, there are many who find his vigilance…..

Just hours after I finished writing my last post about my friend leaving a trail of light, I received a precious Godwink. One of my ‘littles’ visiting from Texas handed me a thank you card which began, “Dear Joanie, You are the light in my world. I love when you take us to the dump and Dunkin’ Donuts…” It was a Divine reminder that we don’t have to be doing great things to make a difference. Who knew a trip to the dump could.….

While attending my friend, Erin’s, funeral last week, I thought of last week’s post about Ron Burton’s legacy of love. Though Erin never enjoyed professional status as an athlete, she too was a GIANT of faith in her family and her community. Like Ron, she left a legacy of love, which I witnessed as her family and friends honored her. She may have been a tiny woman, but she had a BIG heart. Her legacy of love was described as her ‘afterglow’ (rooted in her unwavering faith) leaving a trail of…..

Last week I saw love in action. The Holy Spirit was palpable from the moment I entered Ron Burton’s Training Village (RBTV). Immediately, I was engulfed in the serene setting while I Surrender All played softly through the sound system into the extensive gardens. I knew I was about to experience something special, so I did as the song suggested and surrendered to the moment. Everywhere I looked…..

If you thought the stump escapade was ‘Lucyesque,’ my most recent experience mirrored her Vitameatavegamine* episode. Those of a certain age will remember Lucy finagling her way onto a TV commercial touting the benefits of the vitamin supplement that promised to “spoon yourself to health.” Not knowing it contains alcohol…...

It finally happened. After 25 years of shattered fantasies, my family recently enjoyed the ‘perfect’ family vacation. It’s a universal delusion shared by young mothers—the recurring dream of the Norman Rockwell family vacation, where the moon and the stars align in such a way that everyone gets along, the weather cooperates, and plans go smoothly without a glitch. Unfortunately, reality (at least for me) more closely resembled National Lampoon’s Vacation. There were years…..

Every summer I take on a pet project. This year’s is collecting driftwood to create a beachy coffee table. I’ve seen them used in seaside homes, but they come with a steep price tag and I’m discovering why. Combing the shoreline for interesting driftwood is not easy and involves time, a good eye and, in some cases, lots of muscle. This week I came across…..