Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg It was time for my bi-monthly sit with my hair stylist at a Tucson hair salon. I look forward to those times when I am at the mercy of my hair artist who will “make me look complete!” On one recent visit, I was settling into the swivel chair when I…
Tag: This I have learned
Features, March 2022
This I Have Learned… The Art of Recycling/Repurposing
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg Do you ever get a queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach when you see food go to waste in restaurants; when you know that your garbage is merged with cans, plastics, and glass bottles; or knowing that people do not recycle at all? You are not alone. Americans have…
Features, February 2022
This I Have Learned: New Year’s Resolutions!
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg Okay—raise your hand if you made resolutions for the new year. Ah, I see that about 50% of you have. For those of you who have, you might not enjoy this article, and for those of you who haven’t, you will enjoy this article even less. To wit… The habit of…
Features, December 2021
This I Have Learned: Imagine If Historical Figures Used Texting
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg Most of us love technology, and, let’s face it, technology has improved our lives in numerous ways. As examples: a GPS for our car; instantaneous communication via computer, or cell phone (texting, etc.); high-tech refrigerators/ovens; microwaves; as well as medical procedures/implements that improve the human condition. However, when we have learned to…
Features, November 2021
This I Have Learned… “Taps”: Its History and Its Power—In Honor of Veterans Day
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg The first time I heard “Taps” was in the movie (watched on TCM) From Here to Eternity, in a scene when pugilist Prewitt (played by Montgomery Clift) held his bugle to his lips and played a mournful bugle sound while crying for the loss of his friend, Angelo Maggio (played by Frank Sinatra).…
Features, September 2021
This I Have Learned: Getting Cross Over a Crossword Puzzle
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg Ah, the satisfaction of doing and then completing a crossword puzzle. For those of you who are hooked on crossword puzzles, you know how it feels to get all of those little squares filled in and then progress to the next crossword puzzle challenge. The exhilaration and such a feeling of accomplishment!…
Features, May 2021
This I Have Learned: Living in Arizona
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg It goes without saying that we all have moved to the state of Arizona for a multitude of reasons: the weather, the topography, the dark skies, the ability to be outdoors every day of the year, and the myriad of activities that can be had, especially while living in an over age…
Features, April 2021
This I Have Learned: Oh No! Not Today, of All Days!
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg Ten-O-Six, Clearasil, Noxzema—remember these products from the past? They comprised the acne arsenal for the teenagers of the 1960s. Perhaps you used one, or all of them? Surely, we all know the pain of getting up one morning on a special day when, after weeks of planning for a special event, you…
Features, February 2021
This I Have Learned: Happy Valentine’s Day from Around the World!
Mary Jo Bellner-Swartzberg Much has been written about Valentine’s Day over the centuries. Shrouded in mystery, Valentine’s Day has the vestiges of Roman, Catholic, and pagan traditions. History has indicated that Valentine greetings date back to the Middle Ages. It may not surprise anyone that Valentine’s Day is big business—in 2019 Americans spent $20.7 billion for Valentine’s…
Features, December 2020
This I Have Learned … ‘Til the Season Comes ‘Round Again
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg It was October. We were packing for our annual trip to Sedona. All of a sudden, I heard my husband say (in a wail, really), from the other room, “Oh no!” Oh my gosh, “What happened?” I thought. I ran to him and my heart was pounding … was he alright? Did a…