Becca Levy, PhD. William Morrow, 2022  Levy treats aging as a process shaped by what we believe about growing older, both individually and as a society.   Ageism is real and, like any other prejudice, it hurt. The heart of the book is Levy’s research showing that negative age stereotypes  harm our health, memory, mobility, and even longevity.  When we absorb these attitudes, Levy argues, our bodies respond accordingly. The idea that beliefs can add or subtract years from our 

Charlie McNab cowboyed for the Marble Ranches during the years Dad was the general manager at the headquarters in Deeth.  We moved back to Elko in 1956, but I don’ t know how long Charlie had been a boarder at the Star before Dad became reacquainted with him.     My folks loved the Star, well, who didn’t?  They were particularly fond of Marguerite and Domingo Ozamas, the owners during those years.   My guess is that sometime when they went down to the Star for dinner,  Dad sp

Author’s note:  This is a performance piece for five actresses ranging in age from 30-80.  Although they represent various aspects of one person, they can and should be distinct both in appearance and in attitude. Staging for this piece is versatile.  It could be  a multi-media piece, with images projected upstage; it also lends itself to stylized blocking or choreography that allows the characters to interact with one another physically throughout.  It also could be a play f

those dead leaves are alive, even when you know  an October wind blows them low to the pavement.  Even though you watch through a double-paned window and even though you’re known for your good sense, you can’t help but think they, I mean the leaves, are leaving your street in a hurry because they know something you can’t know.

You carry a well-packed U-Haul box to the car,  trip over the hose, fall flat, arms out,  as if desperate to thrust a  gift on someone...

Sorry!    A play for voices         In the background playing softly,  ” I’m Sorry ” by Brenda Lee RETTA:   I met Robert Redford at the Golden Globes because he stepped on my foot. He stepped on my foot as he was walking by, and he was like, 'Oh, I'm so sorry!' And I was like, 'It's all right. Robert Redford can step on my foot.' NINA TASSLER :  People step on my feet and I’m the one who  says “ I’m sorry.” MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO:   No one has the right to be sorry for himself

They say we come into the world afraid of snakes no matter whether venomous or not.  Avoidance is the way we’re made although this  truth...

for Charlie Arvin If you heard slurs, pauses, apologies for calling at supper, for calling at all, you might think you overheard the...

Pedilavium           Bernard of Clairvaux:  “Feet-washing is cleansing of those daily offenses which seem inevitable for those who walk ...