Published Works

Published in the Boston Globe, December 26th, 2014 My parents unbolted the front door of my childhood home in Lexington only for parties. Otherwise, people entered the 1966 Garrison Colonial via a side door. This door, located on a tiny porch that led into the mudroom, was closer to the garage but still outside, so […]

Two years ago, on the day my aging parents moved from their three-story home of 45 years, they expressed little sentiment. My father proclaimed that “some moves are prompted by desire, while ‘necessity’ drives others.” This move’s necessity emerged when my mother’s scoliosis made navigating stairs problematic in that spacious Lexington home where I grew […]

Stanley frequents Nashoba Brook Bakery in Concord, but not for the pastries and sandwiches. This 165-pound, 5-foot-long Great Dane, with yardstick-size legs and a nose waist-high to an average human, is on the job. Stanley accompanies his companion Becky Spencer everywhere, even just for a cup of Joe. And he wears a sign on his […]

Two summers ago, Jill Kerner Schon listened as a friend from Atlanta described a fabulous painting she created at “one of those fun places where you paint and drink.” Schon, divorced for many years and wondering how best to ramp up her career as her nest emptied, instantly had an “aha” moment: The Boston area […]

Some cope with mental, emotional, intellectual, or physical limitations. Others live with addictions, or are homeless. Still others deal with developmental disabilities. And every single one of them pursues a passion for art. Now, the work of more than 25 expressive artists, who produced their art in conjunction with social service organizations, beautifies the walls […]

Competitive sports give 50- and 60-something participants a boost — along with aches, pains Neither stitches, a dislocated finger, nor chronic back problems has stopped Bob Fierman, 61, from playing organized basketball twice a week for years in the over-50 league at the Newton Jewish Community Center. Jim Kaloyanides, also 61, has suffered a torn […]

Finding the right companion is always challenging, but these seniors met their match. Sylvia Glickman sits on a pale yellow couch in her Newton apartment next to her husband of nine years, their hands intertwined, her silver hair framing her face. She smiles wide and glows like a new bride when speaking of finding true […]

Despite our different beliefs, my husband and our two daughters from previous marriages have discovered a way to navigate Christmas and Hanukkah. The night before the Jewish New Year this September, I reminded my husband that I needed to wake up earlier than usual the next morning. “Why? What’s up?” he innocently replied. I looked […]

I like working from home as a freelance writer, but sometimes I feel left out of the stimulating activities happening in “real” offices. At those times, I imagine a room full of professionals sitting around a mahogany table. The leader begins a PowerPoint presentation, and soon everyone is oohing, aahing, and marveling at the upcoming […]