On May 23, I wrote a story about Miss Florence, aka Florence Petheram, who hosted Romper Room on Spokane television for 19 years. She is 81 now and a children's book author. Today in the mail, she sent me a Mr. Do Bee postcard and…
Yesterday, I attended the ground-breaking ceremony for Spokane's second Hospice House. See story. The house will be completed a year from now and will allow 12 patients at a time to die in beautiful surroundings. Barb Cox, Hospice of Spokane's first clinical director, read a…
The Council on Contemporary Families released a fascinating report today that showed we all might be tougher than we think when it comes to handling trauma and loss. The report "examined the effects of marriage, divorce, and bereavement on life satisfaction up to four years…
Gifts between us extend beyond our death - take Cpl. Thomas “Cotton” Jones who received a diary from Laura Mae Davis before he went off to World War II. He wrote about his life in combat and about his love for her. He wrote if…
In my Boomer U story today, I looked at coming trends in boomer travel. European river cruises are hot, as is taking trips with many generations in tow. One boomer I interviewed for the story, Susan Snelson Spiegel, is an uber traveler and always has…
This Memorial Day weekend, you might be remembering loved ones who died this year or in recent years -- or a decade ago. If you can't visit the deceased at a cemetery, here's a suggestion I adapted from Paula Davis, a funeral director at Heritage…
Police officers put their lives on the line each day for citizens and one another other – and often put their hearts on the line, too.When a Phoenix police officer was killed in the line of duty, three days later his friends lined up to…
When I was 4 and 5 years old, I was enthralled every weekday morning by Romper Room and the beautiful Miss Florence who would call out children's names through a magic mirror at the end of each show. I begged my parents to let me…
On Morning Joe today, they showed over and over a very touching amateur video taken of parents frantically looking for their children after the Oklahoma tornado. And children looking for their parents. No one knew -- or cared -- they were on video and so…
The Women Helping Women Fund luncheon was held today, an annual event that has grown to spectacular proportions, with 1,600 women and men contributing $125 each (and more) to help fund 20 community programs for women and children. The speaker, Paralympic medal winner and author…
How will you maximize your retirement funds? Many people are heading across the US borders to foreign lands and calling their destination their retirement home - and enjoying more luxury than they could in the USA. Where would you go? (S-R archives photo)
We love our dogs. Each year we spend $$$ on their health and happiness. Last week I spent $700 for emergency care and tests and meds for my beloved Bella. She stayed close to me during my cancer treatment so I figure she should get…
NPR's Morning Edition had an excellent report on the Boston bombing which happened one month ago today. Only one business has not reopened. And the reporter talked to many witnesses who were there that day. Their comments reflected how grief works. One man said his…
When I heard the news yesterday about Dr. Joyce Brothers, I remembered meeting her and writing a story about her. I remember that, somehow, I picked her up at the airport and we did the interview in the car. I remembered she was kind of…
I have not cared for Angelina – given all that she did to mess with Jennifer Aniston’s marriage to Brad. But today…my heart has softened. Her story of facing her high likelihood of breast cancer – genetic certainty – will offer hope to the women…
Boomers may work longer than their parents for many reasons. But interestingly, perhaps the US economy needs you at work just as much as you need to be working. A colleague tells me that his retirement simply meant that he was allowed to choose where…
Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory always offers some interesting programs each Memorial Day weekend, coming up May 25, 26 and 27. This year it's a tribute to veterans with displays and memorabilia, classic cars and musical entertainment all three days in the Heritage Chapel. Plus…
Anna Quindlen’s column on motherhood continues to be the best reflection on the experience of every woman who has raised children. The days are long, the years fly by. Take a moment and read her words. Then grab your child and go outside and play.…
These trees in my neighborhood bloom magnificently for just a short while. Even in their prime days, the blossoms begin to shudder onto the street, especially if there's a wind. It's hard to know how to behave in the face of such beauty. I sat…
Gonzaga University is bidding farewell Wednesday to the COG.. The COG was the university's central dining hall for 58 years. A new university center will be built in its place. Sunday, I walked through the COG for the final time, snapped this cellphone photo of…
Susan Crandall’s new book reveals what dating after 50 can be like. Men and women are having fun together, savoring romance, discovering true love. Some of her findings in Thinking about Tomorrow: Reinventing Yourself at Midlife follow: People are nice — way nice and you…
He was my first professor at graduate school that summer of ‘79 and he taught “Theology and Spirituality” – a broad title for a class taught by a slender man. Kevin Seasoltz, a Benedictine monk, was a contemporary Renaissance man. He spoke without wasting one…
I have several retired people in my life, and they often have to think a minute to remember what day it is. When you work, the week organizes itself. So I always know when Friday rolls around. It's a great feeling to do the countdown…
Many people will say, “God told me...” But how? And how do we authenticate those messages? Are they from God or from our own longings, imagination? How do we tell the difference? Swimming last week (the pool is my favorite location for intense prayer –…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a sad and troubling report today. Suicide deaths rose fairly dramatically, across the entire country, for all age groups, but especially for aging boomers. The report does not analayze why. But now that this sobering report is…
Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.