by Barbara Smith | Dec 17, 2019 | Personal Pigeonholes
My friend is dying. She has chosen to forego treatments that might extend her life. Her life in recent years has been quite a battle – many things that could go wrong, headed that way, unexpectedly and rapidly. We weren’t best friends. In fact, we had many... by Barbara Smith | Aug 15, 2019 | Gardening & Housekeeping, Personal Pigeonholes
A Facebook meme A popular meme nails self-centered unawareness. Some Americans have no idea what others face, and our kindness quotient is depleting The meme, and its cousins, say plainly: Be Kind: Everybody you meet is fighting a hard battle you may know nothing... 
by Barbara Smith | Apr 27, 2018 | Understanding the Times
Manners For the Hoi Polloi Teaching good manners matters, especially today. Ours may not be the worst of times – but it sure seems a ruder time than I can remember. It’s either trickling down, or bubbling up; but our bad manners –discourtesy that ignores accepted... 
by Barbara Smith | Apr 3, 2018 | Understanding the Times
Two simple sentences I’ve heard too often, and occasionally repeated myself are seeds that sprout weeds – I’ve yet to see healthy fruit come from either. I can’t forgive __________________________. I won’t forgive _________________________. Now, sometimes folks can’t... 
by Barbara Smith | Jan 15, 2018 | Understanding the Times
Dr. King Burst My Bubble Thank God! I grew up in a bubble – a community of well-built houses that were the American dream of mid-century America. Stoneleigh in Baltimore County, had its own elementary school and swimming pool, and dozens of tree lined streets,...