By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.I think Oprah may be having an identity crisis.It’s been just over two months since the Queen of Everything said goodbye to her daily talk show in order to concentrate on her OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) cable channel. And things aren’t going too well.Let me just clarify that I am an Oprah devotee. I loved her talk show, [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.It’s really not his fault, poor guy: he was just so unprepared.My husband is the kind of fellow who, despite coaching the sport for over thirty years, still studiously researches soccer books before beginning each new season with his college men’s team. He routinely consults at least a half dozen sources before making a business decision and he [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.The boy bought Q-tips.Heading to Bucks County on a recent trip home from the shore, my husband issued a warning: “You’d better grab some Q-tips. We’re out at home.”By way of background, I’m obsessive about my Q-tips. Every morning, I take two out of the drawer in the bathroom sink and lay them on the counter. One is [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.Let’s talk about expiration dates.You know about expiration dates. They’re the itty bitty numbers stamped on perishable products like milk, medicine and meat.The FDA is big on using expiration dates as a way of keeping us from getting sick. If you ignore an expiration date, do so at your own peril.That carton of milk with last week’s date [...]
A Middle-Aged Woman on the Hunt for the Perfect (or Any) GiftBy: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear the audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.It’s that time of year again. My husband’s birthday arrives this week and as usual, I’m scrambling.You’d think that after over 30 years together, I’d know it was coming. Yet, every year, June 6th sneaks up on me, like a surprise attack, kind of like D-day, which [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio of this post, click the play arrow below.Ah, the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. It’s all about the beach, the surf, the sand and finally, a vacation—from winter, work and the busyness of life.At least, that’s what it’s supposed to be about. Before I get started, the requisite disclaimer: I have a vacation house at the beach. I am blessed. I am grateful. I am [...]
By: Mary Fran BontempoTo hear an audio version of this post, click the play arrow below.As I write this, there are two days left until judgment day.Apparently, it’s been a long time coming, but according to one Harold Camping, who insists he knows these things, the date has been on the books for a while now. At least he really, really thinks May 21, 2011 is the date. He originally thought Armageddon was [...]
