Not Born Yesterday

Relationships

Why We Love Cats

E E Smith on February 7, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The felines that bring joy to our lives.

A Personal Perspective: The felines that bring joy to our lives.

Trauma

Aging: We All Do It

E E Smith on January 23, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Getting older is inevitable, but think of the alternative, and it doesn't need to be traumatic.

A Personal Perspective: Getting older is inevitable, but think of the alternative, and it doesn't need to be traumatic.

Relationships

And the Lady from Philadelphia Said...

E E Smith on October 29, 2017

The only thing I know about someone called the “Lady from Philadelphia” is that she was a character in a novel, possibly by Charles Dickens.

The only thing I know about someone called the “Lady from Philadelphia” is that she was a character in a novel, possibly by Charles Dickens.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Seeing Double, First Sign of Trouble

E E Smith on July 15, 2016

I would like to relate a very personal story, one which may save others from the ordeal I am going through right now. It might even save someone's sight.

I would like to relate a very personal story, one which may save others from the ordeal I am going through right now. It might even save someone's sight.

Suicide

The Art of Dying Well

E E Smith on June 17, 2016

We all want to live well, and for as long as we can. But then what? Death being inevitable, it seems to me that at some point dying well becomes as important as living well.

We all want to live well, and for as long as we can. But then what? Death being inevitable, it seems to me that at some point dying well becomes as important as living well.

Marriage

Monogamy Is Not "Natural" For Human Beings

E E Smith on May 20, 2016

The idea of mating for life went out with the so-called sexual revolution of the 1960s and books like Open Marriage. So why has monogamy become a hot-button topic?

The idea of mating for life went out with the so-called sexual revolution of the 1960s and books like Open Marriage. So why has monogamy become a hot-button topic?

Environment

No Lack of Conspiracy Theories

E E Smith on April 15, 2016

If you think the Pentagon is concealing information about UFO's and what really happened at Roswell, that global warming is a hoax, or that the CIA killed JFK, you are not alone.

If you think the Pentagon is concealing information about UFO's and what really happened at Roswell, that global warming is a hoax, or that the CIA killed JFK, you are not alone.

Hormones

Broken Heart Syndrome: Is It Real?

E E Smith on March 20, 2016

You may think it sounds melodramatic or even corny, but my own physician believes in the existence of something called "broken heart syndrome."

You may think it sounds melodramatic or even corny, but my own physician believes in the existence of something called "broken heart syndrome."

Deception

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

E E Smith on February 14, 2016

George Washington proclaimed, "I cannot tell a lie," and Lincoln was called "Honest Abe." Can we conclude from these two examples that American politicians aspire to be truthful?

George Washington proclaimed, "I cannot tell a lie," and Lincoln was called "Honest Abe." Can we conclude from these two examples that American politicians aspire to be truthful?

Forgiveness

Regrets? I've Had a Few

E E Smith on January 16, 2016

Drop the name "Sinatra" in almost any conversation and people will know you mean Ol' Blue Eyes, the Chairman of the Board, leader of the Rat Pack.

Drop the name "Sinatra" in almost any conversation and people will know you mean Ol' Blue Eyes, the Chairman of the Board, leader of the Rat Pack.

Attachment

Making Ends Meet

E E Smith on December 19, 2015

So far, so good. The first interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in nearly a decade has been mostly shrugged off by Wall Street.

So far, so good. The first interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in nearly a decade has been mostly shrugged off by Wall Street.

Humor

Mourning a Loved One

E E Smith on November 8, 2015

It's hard to imagine now but, as a girl of 20, I was not fond of the man who had just become my brother-in-law. I was even a little afraid of him during the early years of my marriage to his brother. He was gruff, irreverent and cynical, with a wry sense of humor that often left me wondering whether he was deadly serious or only joking.

It's hard to imagine now but, as a girl of 20, I was not fond of the man who had just become my brother-in-law. I was even a little afraid of him during the early years of my marriage to his brother. He was gruff, irreverent and cynical, with a wry sense of humor that often left me wondering whether he was deadly serious or only joking.

Fear

Do You Faint at the Sight of Blood?

E E Smith on October 20, 2015

"Phobia" is defined as "an extreme or irrational fear of, or aversion to something." That's me with a hypodermic needle, and apparently I am not alone. A recent newspaper article suggests that a surprising number of us, when faced with a needle, break out in a cold sweat––or worse, lose consciousness.

"Phobia" is defined as "an extreme or irrational fear of, or aversion to something." That's me with a hypodermic needle, and apparently I am not alone. A recent newspaper article suggests that a surprising number of us, when faced with a needle, break out in a cold sweat––or worse, lose consciousness.

Marriage

For Better, For Worse

E E Smith on September 20, 2015

We in California have a reputation for being swingers, due in part to Hollywood and movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor. In reply to a reporter's question about whether she respected the institution of marriage, she said she respected it so much that she had said "I do" to seven husbands. And to one of them, Richard Burton, she had said it twice.

We in California have a reputation for being swingers, due in part to Hollywood and movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor. In reply to a reporter's question about whether she respected the institution of marriage, she said she respected it so much that she had said "I do" to seven husbands. And to one of them, Richard Burton, she had said it twice.

Trauma

A Moving Experience

E E Smith on August 17, 2015

Psychologists list it among the most traumatic things we do as human beings, and I can believe it. I also believe that it gets harder as we grow older. Whether you call it pulling up stakes, relocating, moving on, or as my teenaged daughter used to say, "being uprooted," it can be painful.

Psychologists list it among the most traumatic things we do as human beings, and I can believe it. I also believe that it gets harder as we grow older. Whether you call it pulling up stakes, relocating, moving on, or as my teenaged daughter used to say, "being uprooted," it can be painful.

Compulsive Behaviors

Gambling: Harmless Fun or Perilous Compulsion?

E E Smith on July 19, 2015

Omar Sharif, who died recently, was known for his roles in great movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Doctor Zhivago." Many people also knew that he was a world-class bridge player but I, for one, was surprised to learn that he had lost several fortunes over the years while gambling on the game.

Omar Sharif, who died recently, was known for his roles in great movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Doctor Zhivago." Many people also knew that he was a world-class bridge player but I, for one, was surprised to learn that he had lost several fortunes over the years while gambling on the game.

The month of June is traditionally the time for weddings. Newspapers, magazines, and all forms of social media are teeming with photos of beaming grooms and blushing brides. Wait a minute. Do brides still blush? Somehow, I doubt it.

Diet

Mortality and the Luck of the Draw

E E Smith on May 25, 2015

A woman who reportedly went to extraordinary lengths to protect herself, and still died in a freak accident, reminded me of another who did much the same thing, and still met death in an unexpected way. The two had little in common except how far they went in order to stay alive, which––as it turned out––was not in the cards.

A woman who reportedly went to extraordinary lengths to protect herself, and still died in a freak accident, reminded me of another who did much the same thing, and still met death in an unexpected way. The two had little in common except how far they went in order to stay alive, which––as it turned out––was not in the cards.

Dreaming

Are Your Worst Nightmares Also Everyone Else's?

E E Smith on April 16, 2015

They are the grim subject of several centuries-old paintings, in which a black horse (or "night mare") hovers near a sleeping figure. They have been the terrifying theme of movies, past and present––from "I Wake Up Screaming" (1941), to the latest "Nightmare on Elm Street" flick. So, what exactly is a nightmare?

They are the grim subject of several centuries-old paintings, in which a black horse (or "night mare") hovers near a sleeping figure. They have been the terrifying theme of movies, past and present––from "I Wake Up Screaming" (1941), to the latest "Nightmare on Elm Street" flick. So, what exactly is a nightmare?

Law and Crime

Busted for Buying a Burger

E E Smith on March 16, 2015

We hear a lot about "impaired" and "distracted" drivers these days, and most of the warnings make good, common sense. Obviously, drinking and driving don't mix. The same goes for drugs, both illegal and some prescription. And texting, of course. But eating a hamburger?

We hear a lot about "impaired" and "distracted" drivers these days, and most of the warnings make good, common sense. Obviously, drinking and driving don't mix. The same goes for drugs, both illegal and some prescription. And texting, of course. But eating a hamburger?