By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.There’s a “real” epidemic sweeping the country, and it’s frightening indeed.It’s not the terrifying airborne illness depicted in the Matt Damon-helmed fright fest, Contagion, which threatens to wipe out half the planet. (I will not be seeing this movie as I’m neurotic enough about germs, crowds and illnesses. I’d never leave the house again.) Nor am I referring to [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.I love my tank tops, shorts and flip flops. But after four months (yes, I drag them out way too early and keep wearing them way too long) and the first crisp indication of fall in the air, the entire ensemble starts to look, shall we say, ridiculous. It would look ridiculous all of the time, were I [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this column, click the play arrow below.Yesterday was Labor Day, which for millions of Americans is a time of great wailing and gnashing of teeth. Not only does school begin, so the kids are unhappy, but the great American rat race of practices, games, lessons, frantic scrambling and chaotic schedules once again takes center stage and threatens the sanity of every mother futilely attempting [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.When the phrase “rock my world” comes to mind, I can conjure more than a few, shall we say, interesting, images, most of which involve a hot tub and a hot stranger who knows nothing of my personal baggage.But no matter how the imaginary details vary, I never took the words literally. Until last week.Sitting on the beach [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.Did you ever hear the expression, “You can’t have too many friends?”I beg to differ.According to all of my current social networks, online communities and professional internet groups, I have direct or indirect access to approximately 2.5 million friends.That’s a lot of birthday cards.As a kid, I didn’t have many friends. I was a little nerdy (okay, I [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoFor an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.Last Tuesday, Diana Nyad got out of the water. (http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/09/nyad.103.mile.swim/index.html)I get out of the water every day, after I shower. Then I step into my safe little bathroom, towel off, blow-dry my hair, dress and apply make-up. Generally, I’m never scared, unless I spend too much time looking in the mirror. But as far as the water part goes, [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.My life has officially reached the “Whatever” stage.Up until now, I’d say I was in the “Run around like a maniac, trying to execute plans that never come to fruition” stage.I’m done with that delusion.In truth, I like a good plan. A plan makes me feel like I have some control. The idea behind a good plan is [...]
