After Hours

I went to the grocery store at noon yesterday to buy a small roasted chicken, an onion, a can of refried beans, and some fresh strawberries and blueberries. Then I went home, sautéed chopped onion in a little bit of olive oil, added half a cup of refried beans, and – when it was nice and hot – put my side dish on a smallish dinner plate alongside fresh berries and four ounces of chicken. I next opened a fresh bottle of refrigerated water and added some cut lemon slices. What a great meal! Certainly I didn’t feel like I “gave up” something better from McDonald’s to “have to eat right” on my diet. Full Story 

Patrick is the oldest of four grandchildren, and while he is an only child in his family, he is not my only grandson – as he would be if granted his often-stated wish. “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride,” I have reminded him. His frown deepens as he mulls over the meaning: His challenge this coming year is learning to share Nana’s time. He’s just turned 11 and it’s time to add this skill to his growing repertoire. Full Story 

Last week, I attended Promega’s Bioethics Conference, two packed days of lectures. The topic was the ancient (yet unexplored) frontier that exists in another dimension where “time” and “space” do not apply. The topic was death and dying. Promega founder Bill Linton assembled the most respected researchers and scientists from the world over, including Dr. Raymond Moody, who originally coined the term “near death experience,” for a discussion of NDEs and the scientific study of this phenomenon. Real? Or defensive reaction to the terror of death by an advanced human brain? Full Story 

Actual letter written to a son by his mother: “[Son’s name] Get out! Get out! Take your belongings and leave. If you don’t get out, you can consider this a suicide note. With you in my life, I have no present, no future, just a miserable past. I never realized how very much I could hate you. Just get out! [Signed with her full name].” Full Story