Monday, February 28, 2011

Fabulous books

I just finished reading the best novel, "Left Neglected" by Lisa Genova. It's about a mom who is on the fast track in an affluent Boston suburb. She leads a hectic, career driven life, but it's cut short when she is in an accident and suffers a brain injury, which erases the left side of her world. It was fascinating to me how I didn't like her in the beginning - I couldn't stand how she ignored her children, but in the end she finds happiness and peace for herself and her family. I had never heard of this type of brain injury and found it fascinating.

The one I am reading right now is "A Widow's Story" by Joyce Carol Oates. It's about life after her husband dies. Incredibly sad, but it's helping me understand what some of the widows go through in Laguna Woods.

Jodi Picoult's newest book, "Sing you Home" arrives on the shelves tomorrow. I plan to be first in line. It even comes with a CD. I won't be buying this one on my Kindle, which by the way I love, as I know Juli will want to read this one. Right now I only buy books on my Kindle that I know my daughter won't want to read. We're still all about sharing.

Back in the trenches

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on my blog, actually since September 2010. You see, I have returned to the Orange County Register. I'm now the editor of the Laguna Woods Globe. So I haven't had a lot of time to sit at my computer and write on my blog. I've been busy trying to improve the Globe and it has taken most of my time.

Publishing a newspaper for a community of 19,000 people where the median age is 79 has its challenges. It's tough keeping the readers happy, getting all their club news in each week and still maintaining the truth that we are a newspaper. Some were unhappy when we published their "secret" that part-time employees receive perks. Nothing wrong with that; I believe that the residents should know where some of their homeowners fees are being spent. In five years, $400,000 has been paid in perks.

I have learned some valuable lessons and secrets about aging: We must take care of our bodies, have enough money to be able to travel and take in concerts, etc., stay active, and stay connected to our families. Loneliness is a major problem with aging. If one is active, and I mean physically as well as mentally, one can refrain from being so cranky. The smallest things appear to set some aging people off. For example, one woman calls every week to complain about the paper and says the most horrible things to me. This week she didn't like the business story. "So what are you going to do? Write about every store that opens in Laguna Woods?" I said, "Yes."
She freaked for the next 10 minutes. One old guy threatened to "take me out." Thankfully security is just around the corner from my office. Many of the people are so kind and that's what keeps me smiling.

Although returning to full-time employment can be a drag, this job has had some fun times. Last week I was interviewed for their cable channel by two TV talk show hosts. The program is "Write Now." I was asked questions about my career and my work now at the Globe. Every other Thursday I also do the news with the TV anchor; I'm learning some great things about TV work.

My biggest news, however, hasn't been my return to work. The Royals are getting married on my birthday! On April 29 they will say their vows and throw a huge party at Buckingham Palace or one of their other castles. I'm still amazed that they didn't call me to see if I minded that they were taking the spotlight off my big day. As Andy said, "Mom, did they not know it was your birthday?"

I will be babysitting Keith that day so we will watch the wedding on TV. Then while Kate, William and the family have their post wedding dinner, I will celebrate with my family, probably with hot dogs, beans and cake on paper plates. But I can assure you, I will have just as much fun.

Many years ago I watched William's mother Princess Diana get married on TV and dreamed about how wonderful it would be to be a princess. Of course, we know how that fairy tale ended. Anyway I watched it while my two youngest ran around in diapers. This time I will watch it with my grandson who is in diapers. Where did those years go?