General

I have the world’s best birthday. I was born on the Fourth of July. I’ve never known the dreaded combination Christmas/birthday gift or dual Thanksgiving/birthday celebration, or gone trick-or-treating on my birthday, as other holiday babies have. Instead, I have a day off from … [Read more...] about BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

Hello. I’m Eileen. I’m a homebody. There I said it. For years I faked it, pretending to be an easy, breezy traveler. I’d sign on for weekend jaunts. I’d go on trips to far-flung places, never letting on that I was missing the creature comforts of home: my bed, my favorite pair of … [Read more...] about CONFESSIONS OF A HOMEBODY

Five years ago I lost 50% of my hearing due to a sudden event. It was traumatic and life-altering. I’m a glass three-quarters full kind of person, so it takes a whole heap of misery for me to feel hopeless. But my sudden hearing loss knocked me flat. There were days I couldn’t … [Read more...] about I Hear You

How full is my bucket? It varies from one day to the next. After a day of writing when my brain is squeezed like a lemon or a day of doctor appointments, or dealing with a family problem, my answer might be “enough to wet my whistle” or “bone dry.” That said, the well I draw … [Read more...] about How Deep is Your Well?

Yesterday it snowed. I live on the 29th floor of my building on the West side of Manhattan. The view from the floor-to-ceiling windows of our condo brought to mind a snow globe. White snowflakes swirling in a sea of white. My husband and I cozy inside. Me congratulating myself … [Read more...] about SNOW DAY