Category Archives: holidays

Social Distancing #5: Passover Prep

  I called my friend Robin this morning to catch up. We’re missing our walks together. I told her I was in the midst of making chicken soup and matzo balls for Passover. She said she was too! So we … Continue reading

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Holiday Shopping: Gun Control

Making your holiday shopping lists? Already hitting the stores and online sites? Have you considered adding a bulletproof backpack for your children and grandchildren? When my kids went to school, I packed their lunches and hoped they had whatever else … Continue reading

Posted in commentary, Education, Family, Grandchildren, health, holidays, parenting, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Politics & Purim

This week, I called my congressman, Leonard Lance, (NJ 7th) to urge him to vote against the repeal of the ACA. Then I heard WNYC, my local public radio affiliate, report on a fundraising letter he sent supporters where he … Continue reading

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Rethinking Halloween

It’s time to rethink Halloween. By now parents have raided their kids’ Halloween bags and squirreled away the goodies they like. Children have bartered their candy, swapping less desirable treats for more favorable brands between their siblings and friends. As … Continue reading

Posted in commentary, food, health, holidays, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! The first official Earth Day was celebrated 46 years ago, in 1970. I remember we took a family camping trip to Massachusetts and attended an exposition of all sorts of inventions designed to save the planet, including … Continue reading

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Prepping for Passover

In kitchens around the world this week people are planning and preparing for their Passover celebrations starting Friday, April 22. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The meal, the Seder, includes the retelling … Continue reading

Posted in celebrations, Civil Rights History, Family, food, Friendship, holidays, Judaism, Recipes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016!

The last couple weeks of the year have been filled with fun and blessings, highlighted mostly by the arrival of grandchild #7, born 12/24. I was away when she arrived.  We spent a week cycling and hiking in Guadeloupe. Rain … Continue reading

Posted in bike riding, Blogging, Books, celebrations, Cycling, daughters, Family, Grandchildren, holidays, Museums, galleries, New York City, travel, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Holiday Tidings

Given current events, I’m finding myself looking for meaning this holiday season. We met up with some friends at the New York Botanical Garden’s  annual train show, a spectacle like no other, that portrays the architecture of New York landmarks … Continue reading

Posted in art, commentary, Family, Grandchildren, holidays, Museums, galleries, Music, New York City, parenting, Shakespeare, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Class Notes #6: Macbeth & World Records

October is: pumpkins, leaves, apples, cider and of course, Halloween. The school doesn’t officially celebrate it, though the students have a fall dance. The art teacher has introduced Mexican skull and other autumn-themed painting. And I sneaked in a little … Continue reading

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July 4th: Gun Control NOW

It’s a rainy 4th of July here in northeastern Pennsylvania. I’m making a pasta salad to bring to our friends later; a combination of vegetables and seasonings. I’m listening to a panoply of patriotic music  aired by the local NPR … Continue reading

Posted in celebrations, Civil Rights History, commentary, Education, Family, Grandchildren, History, holidays, news, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments