New Year Question: A Rictameter

New Year Question


New Year:

What will you bring?

Happiness and joy to

Make a year much better than the

Last, or problems big and small to make the

Year too much like the past one we
Choose to forget as soon

As possible?

New Year?


Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

My Just-For-Fun New Year's Wishes

I'll get to my serious wishes and resolutions eventually, but here are my only-in-my-dreams requests:

I'd like to win millions in the Illinois lottery. I've had a yearly computerized ticket for years, and my occasional winnings have usually been in the $9 range. Isn't it time for something bigger? Just asking.

I'd like my three books to become best sellers. If most of the senior citizens in the country would buy Reinventing Myself: Memoirs of a Retired Professor, Seniorwriting, and Elder Expectations, my financial difficulties would end. Of course the chances of such a thing happening are slim and none. Actually, I wrote those books for fun, not profit, but some profits would be nice. Oh, well.

I'd like to take up long-distance walking again. My knee replacements are supposed to get me walking again, but it's taking a long time. Perhaps with patience, this wish will come true. Hope springs eternal!

How about sharing your new year's wishes, serious or fantastic?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Enjoy your day, your family, and all the good things of the season! Happy writing, too.

Marlys

On Visiting The Clare: a Rictameter

On Visiting The Clare at Watertower

The Clare:

Dream and promise,

Soon to come true as I

Plan my move for January.

Problems? Yes, but now I've been inside to

See reality, think ahead,

Hope for a happy life,

I welcome you,

The Clare.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Books: the Perfect Gifts for Seniors (and Others)

During the past year, I have written quite a number of book reviews, both here and in "Never too Late!" From new to older, from fact to fiction, from serious to humorous, these books have in common only their connections with aging and its problems. Many of these books are little known. For the most part, I don't review best-sellers, but try to encourage people to buy books that may be overlooked, but are well worth your attention. You may find some good last-minute Christmas gifts here, for others or for yourself. All these books are available at Amazon.com. They may be difficult or impossible to find in book stores.

Here are seven favorites from among the books I reviewed this year--and forgive me for recommending my own books as well. Links are to my on-line reviews (and for my books, reviews by others).

1. Measure of the Heart: a Father's Alzheimers, a Daughter's Return, by Mary Ellen Geist (Springboard, 2008). http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/09/realities-of-alzheimers-book-review.html

2. Leisure Daze, by Mike Mihalek (Heartland, 2008) (Fiction/humor) http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/09/high-life-in-florida-book-review.html

3 Where River Turns to Sky, by Greg Kleiner (Perennial, 2002). (Fiction) http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/08/aging-life-and-death-book-review.html-

4. As We Are Now, by May Sarton (Norton, 1973) (Fiction) http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/08/elder-disintegration-and-nursing-home.html

5. In the Arms of Elders: a Parable of Wise Leadership and Community Building, by William H. Thomas, M.D. (VanderWyk and Burnham, 2006) (Fiction/fantasy) http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/08/fighting-three-plagues-of-elders-book.html

6. One Last Dance, by Mardo Williams (Calliope, 2005) (Fiction/senior romance) http://seniorwriter.blogspot.com/2008/03/senior-romance-yes-book-review.html

7. The Fiction Class, by Susan Breen (Plume, 2008) (Fiction) http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/03/life-and-fiction-collide-book-review.html

8. Reinventing Myself: Memoirs of a Retired Professor, by Marlys Marshall Styne (Infiniuty, 2006) http://seniormemoirs.blogspot.com/2008/08/gracious-words-of-praise-for-one-of-my.html

9. Seniorwriting: A Brief Guide for Seniors who Want to Write, by Marlys Marshall Styne (Infinity, 2007). http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewStyneSeniorWriting.html

10. Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters, by Marlys Marshall Styne (Lulu, 2008) (Poetry) http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewStyneElderExpectations.html

A Writer's Confession--and Some Holiday Advice

To my friends and family:

For the first time in many years, I am not sending holiday cards or writing my usual holiday letter. I hope that none of you conclude that I am either dead or permanently disabled. You should all hear from me in January.

If you read my other blog, "Never too Late!" you know that my life has been filled with challenges lately. An account of my knee surgery, my unsold condo, my coming move, and other problems could only be depressing this time of year, and I've run out of time for all the steps I usually take to communicate with everyone at Christmas.

I'm sorry. Last year I was strongly advocating the holiday letter, even though it has a bad reputation. Despite my own challenges, I advise that the rest of you make it a point to send cards and letters to your old friends at this festive time of year. I'm enjoying the cards I've received, and I hope to continue my tradition in 2009.

Happy holidays to all!