Category Archives: Blog

The Price and Rewards of Caring

tired caregiver

In 2018, Newsweek published an article that featured Rob Lowe and centered on his role as a family caregiver. It’s an excellent article and Lowe talks about the stress, the emotional toll and the rewards of being there for his mother while she endured stage 4 breast cancer. It’s estimated that over 50 million Americans […]

Today, I’m a Big Football Chicken!

Oklahoma Sooners

Why am I up in my office writing blog posts while my beloved Sooners are fighting for the Big 12 title? I’m a chicken. That’s the only answer I can come up with. I’ve been rooting for my Oklahoma Sooners all my life. I come by it through the blood. It was my Granny’s favorite […]

Christmas Overload

Christmas Background

I do love Christmas, really I do, but it seems it’s been Christmas around here since right after Halloween! All the stores in our little town started selling decorations and trees even before November hit the calendar. And then there’s the television movies where everyone lives in a perfect world in a perfect house and […]

The Changing Face of Social Security: What to Expect in 2019

Social Security and Poverty

To mangle a Twainism: The reports of Social Security’s demise are greatly exaggerated. Social Security benefits, which provide critical income for nearly 63 million retired or disabled workers, along with their dependents and survivors, will continue to be paid for the foreseeable future. But to mangle someone else’s words — possibly Kool & the Gang — […]

Escaping a While with Television Friends

Popcorn

The day before Thanksgiving I came down with a really bad head cold. I had looked forward to my daughter’s turkey dinner for weeks; instead I spent the day with my head hardly leaving my pillow. When I could finally lift my head, I turned on the TV and turned on one of my favorite […]

Bringing a Story to Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Meal

Sure, bring your favorite dish — that special pie or casserole. But don’t forget to bring a story of Thanksgiving past to share. The memories of your stories will last much longer than anything they eat this year! My favorite part about Thanksgiving is of course getting to see the kids, the grandkids, the aunts, uncles […]

What More Could I Want?

Children's hands hold gift box on a wooden table-top.A concept by the Mother's Day. Vintage toning. Father's day. Birthday.

Today I turned 62 years old and like always my daddy asked, “What do you want for your birthday?” I said, “Nothing, Daddy. I have everything I need. I feel very blessed.” What I wished I would have told him is that he gave me everything, not only for my birthday but for every minute […]

Social Security Benefits That May Surprise You

Social Security and Poverty

About 71.6 million people received benefits from programs administered by the Social Security Administration in 2023, including income for former workers, their dependents, and many disabled people. More than 50 million beneficiaries are older adults who receive monthly Social Security retirement benefits. As many have complained, the rules for how and when to claim benefits […]