Being an avid reader, I get my book suggestions from friends, Amazon (this website is very clever about sending book suggestions similar to books recently ordered), and the New York Times Sunday book supplement. It’s really too easy to hit that Amazon site and within minutes order $50 worth of books which are usually delivered within a (more)]]> I’m always amused when I see reading lists for the beach. However, without a beach, we can still enjoy reading anytime during the summer!

Being an avid reader, I get my book suggestions from friends, Amazon (this website is very clever about sending book suggestions similar to books recently ordered), and the New York Times Sunday book supplement. It’s really too easy to hit that Amazon site and within minutes order $50 worth of books which are usually delivered within a couple of days.

If you are looking for some book suggestions, here are a few of my recommendations. You will notice that I favor books about women, but I also enjoy a good mystery and historic fiction.

• The Obituary Writer, Ann Hood
• The Aviator’s Wife, Melanie Benjamin
• Me Before You, Jo Jo Moyes
• The Interestings, Meg Wolitzer
• Anything by Jeffrey Archer
• For funny female mysteries with recipes, try Diane Mott Davidson’s delicious culinary mysteries!

I’m always looking for the next good book, so please share your favorites here. Happy reading!

Last year I attended my granddaughter’s commencement at Hillsdale. They traditionally hold it outdoors, and fortunately, the weather cooperated. Two years earlier when her brother graduated, it rained, and everything had to be held inside. Either way, grandmother wouldn’t have missed the experience! (Unlike the parents who (more)]]> It’s graduation time and parents and grandparents are in the audience for commencement. If you haven’t experienced a commencement lately, it may be a bit lengthy, depending on the size of the graduating class.

Last year I attended my granddaughter’s commencement at Hillsdale. They traditionally hold it outdoors, and fortunately, the weather cooperated. Two years earlier when her brother graduated, it rained, and everything had to be held inside. Either way, grandmother wouldn’t have missed the experience! (Unlike the parents who are either relieved or dismayed at the dollars involved to reach that point!)

My commencement from Purdue is a distant blur. The music hall had a size limitation so the schools were separated to accommodate the size. Sorry, that’s all I remember, but I must have been there because I have a diploma!

My honorary degrees are much more memorable. The University of Indianapolis doctorate in 1995 was thrilling because so many graduates were the first in their families to graduate. Applause would erupt as a family member’s name was called.

Two years later, I received an honorary doctorate from my alma mater, Purdue. I was happy that two of my grandchildren were old enough to attend. At ages eight and ten, I’m not sure how much they enjoyed it, but they looked happy in the pictures. Those grandchildren are the Hillsdale graduates who are now in graduate school.

There is something majestic about a college commencement. Maybe it’s because we know the blood, sweat and tears required and are pleased when young people have “cleared the hurdle.”

Last Saturday I received an honorary associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College. Again, it was thrilling to see how many of the graduates had struggled to graduate, working full time, having a family and other hardships.

It is our responsibility to do everything we can to help these young people achieve their dreams and enter into a productive life.

As I began to delve deeper into the closet (Let’s face it, closets!), I began to think (more)]]> Last week, when I was clearing my closet of seldom, if ever worn items, which seemed like a bargain on the sales rack, it occurred to me that it was almost a spiritual, cleansing experience. With each rejected item, I was relieving myself of ever having to feel guilty about these mistakes again. (At least I can cross that one off my guilty list!)

As I began to delve deeper into the closet (Let’s face it, closets!), I began to think about why I had purchased the item and what role did I think it would play in my life. Was it going to make me stand out in the crowd (bright colors) or was it going to make me blend in (dark colors)? It has always been my theory that those of us who choose the striking colors and fashions are setting ourselves up for scrutiny. Let’s face it, we like being noticed, and if you really want to be noticed, wear a hat!!

What kind of personality does this reflect? Think about the people you know who fit this category. Do you enjoy their company? Go ahead, you won’t hurt my feelings.

Last evening I attended a dressy dinner – to me that means somewhere between cocktail and daytime (it’s a murky category). I knew there would be a sea of black, because it’s safe. In fact, I recommend a simple black dress if you have a limited budget or don’t have much need for this type of attire. Then, go to Target or J.Crew and get some “killer” earrings or a necklace. Have some fun with it.

Another budget way to shop for high-end clothing is to go to a consignment shop or to the Pink Label Event, a benefit sale for Riley Hospital children. Several high end stores, as well as the fashion mavens around town, are contributing. It’s Friday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sale is being held at Cool Creek Commons at 146^th and Greyhound Pass, right next to Fresh Market. Maybe I’ll see you there!

My work style has always been to look at the end result that I am trying to accomplish then use that for the strategic plan. I call it “start at the end and (more)]]> Have you ever had the experience of trying to work with someone who has an opposite work style from yours? I recently experienced this problem while working on a volunteer committee. The chairperson worked “piece by piece” creating a crisis when it was time for the next piece.

My work style has always been to look at the end result that I am trying to accomplish then use that for the strategic plan. I call it “start at the end and you’ll know how to begin.” The beginning is the “umbrella” statement from which the goals and action plan are created. Then you create a timeline.

Well, to my dismay the chairperson kept everyone off guard by producing one piece at a time. It drove me CRAZY!!!

As a volunteer there aren’t many choices of how to proceed other than resigning from the committee. When we met to discuss the situation, I realized that neither of us would change our style. It was frustrating that a compromise could not be reached. If this situation existed in the workplace, it would quickly be sorted out by a superior. (You want to keep your job then…)

Many volunteers have never worked in the corporate world so they don’t take kindly to changes in the “this is the way we’ve always done it” approach. Change is one of the most difficult aspects of life. The resistance to change is prevalent in every area of our lives, causing chaos as witnessed by the confusion in our state and national governments. If you want to keep things as they’ve always been, take a long look at what will happen at the end. Usually, it’s not what you hoped it to be.

Last week I heard a speech (more)]]> After the hoopla of the holidays, getting back to reality can be a drag. Schedules are confused – is it Friday or Saturday? – and diets go to pot. Then, there is that New Year’s decision – to make resolutions or not to make them? I have finally dropped the resolution idea because I kept making the same one – to exercise more – and continued not do it. After a while, it’s just depressing!

Last week I heard a speech about how to make a resolution into an action plan. Otherwise, you don’t see the results. Because many of my friends resolve to lose weight, I keep my eye on them and have noticed that their food consumption hasn’t changed. If a goal is set to lose five pounds each month, then an action plan will be required which means changing food habits. One motivator could be to wear the clothes in the back of the closet that are a couple sizes smaller!

A few years ago I made a resolution to join Rotary Club and a women’s business organization to meet new people and make new friends. Both have been very rewarding.

I think that a resolution which provides real value for your health, appearance, profession or budget is more likely to be kept when there is an action plan with goals. Make sure you record your progress for comparison; then you can celebrate!

2. The blessing of giving. Excessive giving has caused heartache, sadness and guilt; surely not what the original idea was about. Showing how kindness to others leads to a true blessing is a wonderful example to children.

3. The blessing of light. A beacon of hope from the star of Bethlehem to religions all over the world who light lanterns and small (more)]]> 1. The blessing of community. When the diverse world comes together: Christians, Jews and Muslims – all having special celebrations.

2. The blessing of giving. Excessive giving has caused heartache, sadness and guilt; surely not what the original idea was about. Showing how kindness to others leads to a true blessing is a wonderful example to children.

3. The blessing of light. A beacon of hope from the star of Bethlehem to religions all over the world who light lanterns and small earthen lamps. It is a wordless message of joy and excitement.

4. The blessing of hope. That tomorrow will arrive and all will be well.

5. The blessing of music. When choirs lift their voices and symphonies create joyful sounds to remind us of the beauty of the season.

6. The blessing of simplicity. Moments with special friends and reading their messages on cards and their emails.

7. The blessing of family. As they gather from distances by car, bus, train and plane. Families find a way to see each other. (Skype is better than nothing!)

8. The blessing of taste. Favorite goodies with their memories. My mother’s special Christmas cookie was a “hermit.” Now I bake a batch and mail them to my brothers. They open the package and remember our childhood days.

9. The blessing of smell. Turkey roasting, pies baking and the scent of cinnamon from my favorite candles.

10. The blessing of touch. The hugs, the clasping of hands as the blessing is said at the table – touching each other to communicate our love and affection.

11. The blessing of sight. To be able to see the twinkling Christmas lights and the expressions on faces as their gifts are opened.

12. The blessing of silence. The awesome quiet of the candlelight service on Christmas eve. The pause just before we enter a room knowing that the sounds, smells and sights will greet us when we open the door.

You may have your own blessings to add – recovery from illness, a new baby in the family, achievement at school. It’s easy to look around and count your blessings every day, not just at Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

To forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what they have done for you?

To put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground?

To see that your fellow men are just as real as you are, and try to look behind (more)]]> There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day and that is keeping Christmas. Are you willing:

To forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what they have done for you?

To put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground?

To see that your fellow men are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy?

To own that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give?

To stop asking your friends how much they love you and ask whether you love them enough?

Are you willing to do these things even for a day?

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death?

Then you can keep Christmas.

When I was growing up, we had strict rules about how we conducted ourselves while seated at the table. “Clean up your plate” was top of the list since we served ourselves from the bowls and platters on the table when they were passed. Also, I was expected to chew (more)]]> Have you ever heard that before? In today’s world of fast food, fast pace and undefined family meals, good manners seem to have slipped to the bottom of the must-do list.

When I was growing up, we had strict rules about how we conducted ourselves while seated at the table. “Clean up your plate” was top of the list since we served ourselves from the bowls and platters on the table when they were passed. Also, I was expected to chew my food with my mouth shut and not to talk with my mouth full. My dad required that we be dressed and no curlers for me. We were taught to be respectful to each other and to our parents. I really didn’t think about it until I found myself in situations where these had not been taught. Ok, I know that was back in the dark ages, but the rules of good manners haven’t changed!

When I’m attending lunches and dinners where the place setting includes choices of silverware and is preset with the bread and butter plate plus cup and saucer, I’m amazed how many times I’ve been required to “stake my claim” early in the meal or I find myself scrambling to locate an empty plate and cup. That’s why some colleges now teach etiquette classes!

Living alone can cause proper mealtime manners to slip. Some of my friends are inclined to eat while sitting on the sofa, lying in bed or standing at the counter. That just doesn’t work for me. I always set the table with a placemat and napkin. It makes me feel respectful to myself and all that my parents taught me.