Essays
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In My Multiple Hobby Era
I’ve written before about my older tendencies, even though I am only 45 as I write this post. Thankfully, “grandma hobbies” saw a new resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic. And as usual, I was a bit late to embrace them. Childhood hobbies Like most children, I enjoyed playing outside on my swing set and spending time with my pets. I played make-believe house, doctor, office, etc. I made silly videos with my siblings using a VHS camcorder. I watched my favorite TV shows, whether live or on recorded VHS tapes. As far as hobbies, I remember making art projects or jewelry, messing around with plastic canvas, learning to sew by…
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Believe It or Not, Getting Fat Isn’t the Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me
Body image has been a hot topic for as long as I’ve been alive in one way or another. As the old saying goes, sometimes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Eras of Women’s Body Image During My Lifetime and How I Related I was born during the 1980s aerobics craze where the ideal female body was toned and athletic like fitness model Jane Fonda. I remember accompanying my mom to aerobics classes when I was a young child or trying to follow along with home workout videos on VHS. The 1990s came along with “thin-is-in” models like Kate Moss. Seventeen and Cosmopolitan magazines had diet…
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Embracing the Holidays
I’ve written before that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s still true, and I keep the season pure in my home. I decorate for the seasons, which is a more recent development, but since I’ve lived outside my parents’ home, I’ve always waited to decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. Some people prefer to decorate earlier, and I pass no judgment on what they choose to do in their own homes. When did autumn start to disappear? Maybe it’s my age, but it feels like autumn (or fall) gets shorter every year. When retailers have Christmas decor out before Halloween, it can feel like harvest or the season…
