Choose Wisely
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day!

Sent the 'kids' back to college Friday. As always, it's a little bittersweet, but we were all anxious to return to our own routines. I don't know what their version ofZip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah might be, but I'm sure they were whistling it as they sped out of the driveway leaving a trail of stone dust in their wake. They didn't even look over as I stood there in my nightgown waving goodbye. Just as well because that means they missed the victory dance that followed.

The Work of Christmas

Boxing up Christmas is certainly not as much fun as decorating in anticipation of the holidays. Maybe because we shouldn’t be trying to fit Christmas into storage boxes. My parents were onto something when they resigned themselves to leaving their decorations up all year long. It started with a screen to hide the tree. When that got too heavy and cumbersome, my mom just threw a sheet over the tree. Even that was eventually discarded…..

A Different Way

As some of you may know, Wednesday was the Feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the Wise Men finding Jesus. Sadly, there were few wise men in sight this January 6th. Even so, let’s hope the actions that took place at the Capitol reveal the desperate need for unity in moving this country forward. With the rollout of the COVID vaccine coinciding with a new year…..

Living in the In-between

As we begin the final countdown to Christmas, the fourth candle of Advent is lit. Even the most secular individual can have a deeper understanding of Advent this year as we’re all in a season of waiting for a life-saving vaccine. After a tragic and tumultuous year, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – a promise of restoration for a world turned upside down by COVID and its byproducts. BUT, not yet…..

How Can This Be?

The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary announcing God’s plan for her is such an integral part of the Christmas narrative. Upon learning that she is to give birth to God’s Son, Mary responds with confusion, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34) Clearly the mechanics intrigued Mary. She may have only been around 13, but she knew…..

An Elijah Moment

An Elijah Moment

When I wrote about my new friend, Hedda, in April I didn’t explain the circumstances of our meeting during my hospital stay in February. Hedda is 98 and probably weighs about the same. She’s a tiny woman full of peace and wisdom. I suppose you don’t live nearly a century without learning a lot about life. Every time I did laps around the ward, she would scoot past me. For a tiny, elderly…..

The Hope Candle

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent with the lighting of the Prophecy Candle (aka the Hope Candle), representing hope and anticipation for the only gift that can offer comfort in the face of suffering that seems to grow exponentially every day. It’s a glowing reminder of who wins in the end despite appearances to the contrary. In the midst of a global pandemic, political divisiveness and racial injustice, the world needs to…..

The Gratitude Project

While walking in a local park this week, I came across an installation called The Gratitude Project. It invited walkers to consider what they are thankful for in 2020 and add a post, or as many as you’d like, to the growing gratitude fence. Everything needed was provided in a cute, handmade box similar to the Little Free Libraries popping up in…..

T.H.I.N.K.

T.H.I.N.K.

When my children were in middle school, there was an ubiquitous poster in the school reminding them to think before they speak. It was part of the Be Kind campaign. So sad that we need a campaign to remind us to be kind to each other – and to ourselves. Regardless, I’ve been ‘thinking’ a lot recently about that acrostic message. It’s excellent advice but especially….

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat

Halloween has always been a favorite holiday. It’s the one day I can take a break from being me and assume another identity while overindulging in copious amounts of candy. What’s not to like? My temporary identities have ranged from sumo wrestler to nun. Casper remains one of my favorites, because. ….

Share the Love

Share the Love

Everyone has an internal dialogue that never stops, which is why it’s essential to be aware of how you are talking to yourself. “According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive thoughts.” Why are we so hard on ourselves? The answer lies in whose voice…..

God is Enough

This summer my great nieces presented me with a mask that reminded them of me. Actually, they said they thought I would be the only one not embarrassed to wear it. My children agreed. They know me well because it’s my favorite mask even though I’ve made hundreds over the past six months. It has prompted more than a few conversations like the one I had this weekend. A woman noticed my mask and asked, “Are you a believer?” I thought it an odd inquiry…..

Good Enough

An email solicitation arrived this week authored by Mr. Goodenough. His surname made me chuckle and wonder if it was a joke (it wasn’t). Not that someone with a last name like Butman has the right to laugh at anyone else’s name. I’ve often shared my belief that my surname is karma for making all those crank calls…..

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

Does anyone else feel like they’re just waiting for the next shoe to drop? That maxim pretty much defines 2020 thus far. The November election is guaranteed to close out this year with a bang. We are in a state of limbo with an uncertain future looming, waiting for the next catastrophe. I’m not sure it still exists in Catholicism, but limbo was the dreaded “place” where babies went if they died…..

A Divine Bubble

COVID has ushered in a new method of working. It remains to be seen whether the workplace will ever return to its pre-COVID practices. In many industries it has become obvious that being physically present in the office Monday through Friday isn’t necessary. That reality is sure to force the New York City real estate market into…..