It has finally happened. Jane Fonda is officially over 70 and appearing in the Netflix streaming series “Grace and Frankie.”_ Along with Lily Tomlin, the two women have a story to tell._ With Lily playing Frankie as a very funny new age woman equipped with multiple strategies for dealing with life’s absurdities, difficulties and worries._ […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: Why we must learn to forgive
Since I was ejected from the Benicia Herald, as a contributor, I have lost two very dear friends. I paid close attention as to how Jan Tobias and Katrina Van Male lived their lives. For Jan, a devout Catholic, she lived the doctrine of forgiveness. If her children did something of which she didn’t approve she loved […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: What religion is right for you?
I RECENTLY ATTENDED ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH for the Service of the Longest Night titled “Blue Christmas.” This service, led by the Rev. Jeanne Forte, was aimed at providing solace for those suffering during the holiday season — those feeling loss, loneliness, sadness. The service was lovely and the mix of sermon, song and prayer […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: How do we get over the let-down?
MELISSA MICHAELSON, A TEACHER AT MARY FARMAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, is one of the best storytellers I know. I am going to try to retell one of her delightfully funny stories about handling disappointment. Melissa’s lovely daughter, Cooper, brought her a pumpkin plant a few weeks before Halloween. Melissa became very excited about growing her own […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: Dispriorgenesis and the cycle of grief
MY CONVERSATION WITH JUNE GIFFORD about “dispriorgenesis,” our invention for the uncomfortable feeling, especially among widows, originating in the fact that you are no longer anyone’s number-one priority, continued at her home in Markleville, a great place for having a meaningful conversation. With a fire in the potbelly stove, drifting clouds and 20-degree temperatures, the […]
Mrs. B’s Blather: Do you suffer from dispriorgenesis?
I WAS SITTING OPPOSITE MARY SEARING at a Rancho Benicia potluck and we were laughing as we reminisced about growing up on the streets of New York. We were not homeless. That is just an expression that refers to the amount of time spent away from our apartments. As our conversation progressed to the more […]