Rita Watson: Time alone helps tend the soul Special to The Journal Jun. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM In a technology connected world, we often forget the value of alone time. Researchers are suggesting that Facebook is impacting self-esteem and social media is becoming addictive. In an effort to see what our friends are doing,…
Restoring a sense of gratitude, Projo
Rita Watson: Restoring a sense of gratitude Special to The Journal/ Posted May 31, 2015 at 12:01 AM Compassion is more than just a feeling; it compels us to reach out and help others. We see outpourings of compassion when a tragic event occurs. Yet ironically, many of us have difficulty when those within our…
May Memories with Grandparents, Good Food and a Good Cigar
• Rita Watson: Remembering Sunday dinner with Grandma and Grandpa… For me, May is filled with images of Grandpa, his brothers, and cousins preparing the gardens for vegetable planting. I remember how excited I was to plant the green beans that would grow along the vines. But Deborah, my 10-years-younger sister, remembers green beans that…
A Memory: Sunday dinner with Grandma and Grandpa, ProJo
Special to The Journal Posted Apr. 19, 2015 @ 12:01 am Just as the cake was brought to the table and placed alongside a tray of cookies and chocolates, out came the old photographs. We were at the home of one of my sisters, reminiscing about “the olden days” at Grandma and Grandpa’s for…
Resiliency: Thoughts on springing forward
For many of us, the Easter season is time for a new beginning. By now the winter doldrums should be giving way to sunshine happiness. Easter Sunday is characterized by the Pascal Lamb, resurrection, and rebirth. And in “The Passover Lamb,” by Linda Elovitz Marshall, we see a delightful reminder of a child’s creativity while…
Remembering Grandma and Grandpa on a Musical Afternoon
Rita Watson: Remembering Grandma’s Easter baking during a musical afternoon – Published 3/21/2015 in Entertainment & Life Read the original in the newspaper to see the priceless photo of my grandparents. Within a concert hall of oil portraits, overlooking a snow-covered cemetery, I saw myself frolicking through the water at Grandma and Grandpa’s beach house. Commentary in a…
During times of change serenity comes through forgiveness and gratitude
Rita Watson: In times of change, forgiveness and gratitude pave the way to serenity – Published 3/7/2015 in Entertainment & Life Stress and anxiety are serenity stealers that we often experience during times of change. Even for the better, change can send us into a panic. I was overwhelmed this week in the midst of downsizing. As treasures…
Visits with Grandma are delicious memories
Rita Watson: Visits with Grandma made delicious memories – Published 2/21/2015 in Entertainment & Life Memories of celebrations at Grandma and Grandpa’s big house on the water still bring a smile to my face. They lived at 221 Beach St., which had a large wraparound porch and a widow’s walk at the top. As I was going through…
Embracing Valentine's Day with Love
Embrace Valentine’s Day with love – Published 2/11/2015 in Entertainment & Life Each February, as Valentine’s Day approaches, we think of hearts, flowers and love gifts. We search for the perfect card depicting romance. But this year, the love day has a new twist, colored by gray — “50 Shades of Grey” to be precise. The film is…
Italian Kisses: Sugar Roses on a Wintery Day, Projo
Special to The Journal While most of the little town on the water was sighing from the winter doldrums, Grandma had a January birthday and a smile on her face. Although she liked to say, “No fusses about this; it’s just another day,” she always looked forward to the Italian cream and rum cake decorated…