Category: We B Late Blog
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“I have no words.”
I’ve never had writer’s block. Sure, there have been times that I didn’t write anything… sometimes months at a time. Just take a look at the gaping holes in this blog. But that wasn’t writer’s block. That was laziness, a new grandson, distraction, Netflix, procrastination, or (more often than I’d like to admit) an all-consuming…
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Marty Helwich: A Life Cut Short, Yet Lived to the Fullest
Last month, my sister’s beloved husband, Marty, succumbed to pancreatic cancer, having been diagnosed just after Christmas. Marty was truly one of the best people I’ve ever known, and I am just one of countless family and friends still reeling from this unfathomable loss. It was my honor and privilege to offer a eulogy at his…
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How To Develop a Maternal (A/K/A Survival) Instinct
Bringing up children who are morally sound and destined to become productive members of society involves a great commitment on the part of parents. It requires, of course, not just telling them how to behave, but by being a living example of your teachings — “walking the walk” as they say. Parents need to model…
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Up Yours, Tidying Up
We used to host two big gatherings every year: a huge cookout Memorial Day weekend and a “both sides of the family along with anyone who didn’t have anywhere else to go” Thanksgiving feast. The first and foremost reason for these events was because I love to entertain and truly believe the more the merrier.…
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Happy Birthday, and Sweetest Day, Mom
Today would have been my mom’s 89th birthday, this year falling the day after Sweetest Day. Funny that I’ve never noticed that connection before, as I always think of her on that “holiday.” Flashback to about 40 years ago. I was dating a predecessor to my husband, and we stopped at my parents’ house…
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Who Edited My Bucket List?
“I’ve never ridden in an ambulance,” I said, as I was strapped to the gurney and loaded in. One of the two cute, young (he reminded me of my 16-year-old nephew) EMTs responded in a chipper tone, “Now you can cross it off your bucket list!” This weekend adventure started last Thursday afternoon, when crushing…
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Paying It Forward Since 1984
You probably know that last Saturday was Pay It Forward Day, a “global initiative that exists to make a difference by creating a huge ripple of kindness felt across the world.” But here’s something I bet you didn’t know: I invented Pay It Forward. Okay, “invented” may be too strong a term, but before you…
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White Like Me
A few years ago I was on my way to a Sunday afternoon party when I remembered that I needed to bring some snacks. Taking the same route I took every day to work, I knew I would be passing an Aldi, and decided to stop there. I parked, grabbed my “Aldi quarter” from the ashtray,…
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A Miraculous Blessed Event
If you were shocked last week when I told you I was a 60-year-old virgin, hang on to your hat for this week’s news! I’m pregnant! Teachers always warned us it could happen the first time, and they were right. I came home from my first Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop on Sunday great with ….…
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Roseanne Roseannadanna Was Right!
I was so careful. I did my very best Santa imitation… and I’m not just talking about my bowl full of jelly. I made a list and I checked it twice, and even crossed things out as I packed them away. I have slippers and four pair of shoes, including sandals for the balmy 39…