Category: Hartford Courant
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Just a few decades ago, having a tan was a sign of good health, and no one thought twice about doing whatever necessary to get one. From basting in baby oil to lying in the sun for hours, it’s the sad tale of a generation woefully unaware of the dangers of UV radiation until long…
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Going to the grocery store makes me angry. In fact, I’m often mad before I pass through the sliding doors. It usually begins with my inability to effectively park my car in the lot. Stricken with age-related parking anxiety, I find it impossible to fit between the lines, forcing me to pull in and back up multiple…
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I recently read somewhere that the average home should be deep-cleaned twice a month, with things like floors and bathrooms getting a weekly wash. Once I stopped laughing, it occurred to me that some people might actually clean that often and immediately grew concerned that my Only-If-The-Health-Department-Is-Coming regimen might be inadequate. It’s not that I…
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One of retirement’s best perks is having the time and freedom to travel to bucket-list destinations. According to a 2018 Travel Trends survey conducted by AARP, Baby Boomers are taking full advantage of their unlimited vacation days with adult travelers planning to take four to five leisure trips in the next year at a cost…
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Like falling in love for the first time, there’s something so spellbinding about Portugal, it’s almost indescribable. The infatuation begins on final approach to Humberto Delgado Airport, when Lisbon first comes into sight. Hugging the Tagus River, it’s a sprawling expanse of red-roofed, pastel buildings by day; a carpet of twinkling lights by night. Rising…
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When my daughters were both under the age of 5, I made the mistake of thinking I could take them to the mall on a crowded Saturday afternoon without repercussions. While it seemed like a good idea at the time, in hindsight it was more like deciding to take a bottle of laxatives before embarking…
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You know you’re getting old when an all-nighter means not getting up to pee. You know you’re getting old when the bank sends you its free calendar… one month at a time. You know you’re getting old when you try to straighten the wrinkles in your socks … and you’re not wearing any. We’ve all…
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I like holidays. My favorites are the ones that involve binge-eating while being showered with gifts, along with all occasions celebrated at someone else’s house. Regardless of the holiday, I’ll celebrate it. Even when there’s not an occasion, I’ll still celebrate it, provided dessert and gravy are served. Fortunately, according to a list of U.S.…
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It’s a cold Saturday night in December, and there’s a carnival-like atmosphere as hundreds of gawkers, along with a costumed Elmo (go figure), are congregated in front of a holiday display that would put even Clark Griswold to shame. About a bazillion lights and decorations, including colossal toy soldiers, angels, snowflakes, snowmen, wise men, Santa…
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Winter breaks and fresh powder are nothing short of a match made in ski heaven. Less than divine, however, is navigating crowded slopes and waiting in lift lines with mobs of other enthusiasts. The good news is that with more than a 130 ski areas in New England, there are plenty of places to carve…
Sarah Lemire 