Stories About Arthritic Adventures

Season’s Greetings

Joy and Good Wishes

Season's Greetings

Season’s Greetings.

‘Tis the season to goof off!

So, please allow me to hit the pause button on writing … except to wish all my fellow middle-age muddlers a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Holiday Season. May your holidays be filled with wonder and, of course, laughter. Muddle on with joy!

Fondly,
Karen

,

Dreidels and Reindeer

Let Me Love 'Em Both

dreidels and reindeer

Dreidels and Reindeer. Jews and Christmas.

Yes, like many American Jewish families, we have a Christmas tree. In fact, we’ve had one since 1929.

That’s the year my immigrant grandmother traveled home to visit her family in Hungary. While Grandma was away, Read more

,

I’m Karen, but Not That “Karen”

Step Away from the Mean Meme

Yes, my name is Karen. I’ve always liked the name. Never wanted to be a Karla or a Kathy, but lately, things have gotten a bit complicated and I’m wondering if a name change is in order.

Let me explain. Read more

Happy Thanksgiving: From A to Z

Best Wishes from our Home to Yours

Here’s a Happy Thanksgiving Day alphabet primer to get you and the family started on holiday fun. Turkey, togetherness, travel, talking, and tag football. Enjoy it and your day with family and friends! Don’t eat too much. Make sure at day’s end, only the turkey is stuffed!

Happy Thanksgiving: A
To the apple lovers (computer and fruit) in your house.

Happy Thanksgiving: B
To bakers who labor so hard on this special day and bankers who get the day off! Read more

,

Giving My Regards to Broadway

Greetings from a Broadway Baby

Giving My Regards to Broadway

Some go fishing. Some go shopping. I go show-hopping along the Great White Way aka Broadway.

Yes, I’m spending the week in NYC, seeing shows till my eyes bulge out!

But, alas, only six shows this trip. Deferring to Handsome Hubby’s wishes, Read more

Ashes into Diamonds

They're Not Kidding. Diamonds Really are Forever

ashes to diamonds

Diamonds are forever. So goes the old marketing slogan. But now, thanks to high tech advances, there’s a whole new spin on the meaning of “forever,” because companies can turn your deceased loved one’s cremated ashes into sparkling memorial diamonds.

All it takes is eight ounces of ashes – or if you prefer, 10 ounces of cremated bones, or a mere 0.4 ounces of hair.

Some call it science. But to me, it more voodoo than I love you. Read more

,

Wildfires, Earthquakes, Power Outages

Just Another Day in CA

Earthquakes, fires and power outages

Forget about a Zombie apocalypse. I live in California where we worry weekly about wildfires, earthquakes, and “scheduled” power outages.

Back East, we worried about terrorist attacks, but since moving to the San Francisco Bay, I’ve learned the true meaning of terror. Here dinner conversations are just as likely to focus on “What’s in your ‘to-go’ bag and earthquake kit?” as on politics, the environment, and favorite TV show. Read more

,

The Ladies Who Schlep

The Subject is (Still) Handbags

The ladies who schlep

I hate to sound sexist, but as soon as baby boys can grasp objects, they’re given baseballs and footballs. Girls, on the other hand, are often given purses to carry. And all those little girls turn into, yes, the ladies who schlep. They may schlep handbags, tote bags, briefcases or backpacks, but schlep they do. And they’re not just hauling around lipstick and lunch, but also, memories and money, smartphones, and status symbols.

“Of course, a bag is important. It’s my home away from home.”
Sornam S. 

In case you missed it, Read more

,

The Subject is Handbags

Size ... and Bags ... Matter

The subject is handbags

It started with an email and two simple questions. I thought I’d get a few short replies. Instead, all week long, my inbox was flooded with replies. Clearly, I had touched a nerve. Read more

,