And why we need to curb our know-betterer tendencies — I am sitting at a table in a senior community center and engaging with a 92-year-old man who tells me, “I have only 30% hearing, so speak loudly.” Not a problem, I say to myself, because God gave me a loud voice, and I will now use it. He uses…

And he loved the moniker “Crazy Joe.” — I still remember walking into the large lecture hall for what would be one of the most difficult classes in my college education: Thermodynamics. I was told by others not to worry. “Crazy Joe is crazy, but he’s also right.” That was the steady refrain of upperclassmen that had made…

How to irritate less and engender more love — Imagine this. A modern-day Moses is walking across the country on foot. When he arrives in California, a flock of reporters greets him. He is Moses, after all, and he has been making the news. Reporter 1: So tell me, sir, what was the hardest part? Reporter 2: Was it…

And you don’t know what to do… my story — Imagine starting a very important task from scratch — one in which you have very little experience, yet it’s critically important. It will likely become the basis for someone’s initial impression. This is the story of me and my book cover. …

A few simple things happen — This will be my favorite listicle of all. Just a few things need to happen to put a smile on my face. The range of topics is large: On hearing: When I ask my husband to bring down my shoes, and I get a toothbrush, I think, “Houston, we’ve got…

Just what do you do? — I fielded a great question at the dog park this morning. It was: “When you’re in need of a smile, or better yet, a laugh, where do you go?” I would have said, “my granddaughter,” but she isn’t local, and also, kids can’t always be counted on to make us…

Because I am in exploration mode, and you might be too — Here’s the skinny. When you add another platform to your work pile, and I just added Substack, it’s a lot of work. I knew it would be. I knew why I was doing it. Best of all, I don’t regret it… yet. But I will report on my one-month experience…

Facing our fears head-on — In my mom’s late eighties, she started to become fragile. Her appetite had decreased. Her balance was off. Cognitively, she had great days and not-so-great days. I am based in the Boston area, and she was living in Denver. …

A place to begin or a moment of confusion? — I warm up my brain each morning by checking my email for the day’s quote. Today’s offering comes from a painter, Agnes Martin, who spoke to the challenge of feeling lost. Martin alternated where she lived — Saskatchewan, the New Mexico desert, and New York City — and presumably knew…