The first man in my life …

Yes, that’s me in the photo. With my dad, a very long time ago. Hard to believe I was ever that tiny. Oh, how I adored him. We were extremely close, up to the day he died, 30 years ago. Hard to believe that, too — that it’s been so long. I still think of him every day and still miss him like crazy.

He was an amazing dad. For that matter, he was a pretty amazing human being. Kind, thoughtful, open-minded, generous, loving, loyal, honest as the day is long.

When I needed advice it was my father to whom I turned, always, even as an adult. His friends and my friends often turned to him as well, as did many members of our family. You could always count on him to be fair, objective and

You just never know …

I don’t know about you, but lately, everywhere I turn I seem to be confronted with bad service. With people who don’t value your business, who just don’t care.

It’s particularly frustrating and disappointing when it’s companies you deal with all the time, where you’re a regular, loyal customer. That really

Why can’t we be more like animals?

Animals are so uncomplicated. They don’t ask for much. They need fresh food and water every day. They have to be walked. Their litter boxes have to be clean (or God help you.) And it goes without saying they need their annual physicals and shots.

But that’s just about it when it comes to maintenance.

All they really ask is that you love them. And they love you right back. Their love is simple

So much nicer than an alarm clock …

I enjoy my sleep, always have.  And truthfully, I’m one of those people who really prefers a gentle wake up call in the morning.  Alas, I’m a heavy sleeper, so I do set an alarm — the louder and more shrill the better.

Not for my psyche, or my nerves, but to ensure I hear it and, more importantly, can’t ignore it.  And I probably have some masochistic tendencies.  However …

As the mother of two four-legged babies, I am usually up before the alarm goes off, because at least one of my fabulous felines gets to me first.

And let me assure you, there is nothing as sweet as being awakened by a cold, wet nose pressed against your own

How do I love thee?

I’ve been having a wee bit of trouble charging my iPhone recently.  I suspected it was my power cord, but it is three years old, so I sort of had to accept the possibility it was my battery.  As in, time for a new one.  Which in my case is a major pain in the ass, because my phone is my office, my life, my lifeline, not to mention my alarm clock.  My only alarm clock.  And a battery can’t be replaced instantly in the store.  The phone has to be sent away for anywhere from three to five days.

Not good.

So yes, I’ve been putting off dealing with it.  But over the weekend the matter was taken out of my hands.  Procrastinating was no longer an option.  Because no matter