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The Meat and Potatoes of Life

I’ve been offered the opportunity to crew on an offshore sailboat, and a safety course is required. If my lifelong dream is to come true, I need to get over imposter syndrome and get on with it.



more The Meat and Potatoes of Life news

Less is more, more or less. Or so “they” say.

In our modern world with so many pressures, it should be easy to give up more for less, right? However, after years of overindulging in everything from gossip magazines to guilt to guacamole, I’ve become addicted to excess.

Winter of discontent can’t chill optimism for future

When I read all the pessimistic scientific research about our warming globe, I find it hard to contemplate Earth’s destiny. I prefer to believe that, somehow, Mother Nature or God or the Great Gazoo will save humankind, regardless of climate change or human foul-ups.

The hazards of multitasking: A cautionary tale

A typical military spouse will figure out ingenious ways to accomplish two, three or four tasks simultaneously. Despite the miraculousness of these feats, extreme multitasking can become hazardous duty.

The abominable shopping season strikes again

Despite my best efforts and intentions, the budget-killing blizzard of twinkle lights, eye-catching displays, irresistible sales, fuzzy slippers, cheese log samples, ingenious gadgets, two-for-one deals and unsolicited perfume spritzes during holiday trips to the mall turn me from a savvy customer into a misfit shopper every December.

Hide-a-beds, septic tanks and other holiday traditions

Ever since moving out of your childhood home, you’ve enjoyed basic human entitlements such as public drinking and wastewater systems. But a holiday visit to Mom and Dad’s is a reminder of all you’ve moved on from.

Would you be your own best friend?

I’d always been my own worst critic, cutting myself no slack, unable to accept compliments, doubting myself constantly. I’d never really thought, “What would I think of a separate and distinct me?”

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