Babysitting via webcam: The grandchildren are sheltering at home with their frazzled mom and dad. Can grandparents give parents a break from afar? Read more.
DON'T MISS!
I've written hundreds and hundreds of posts over the years. To help you find your way to the best of the best, I've tagged my favorites "Don't Miss!" Scroll down here to find them.
Another way to locate Riffs on Life that you might enjoy is to click above on your favorite category – "My Ever-Changing Family," perhaps, or "Funny Button." You can also use the search box located way up top to hunt for stories by topic. There's fun reading at "garden," "aging," "kids" and, of course, "Jon."
Our Remodel Has Kept Us Company — We’ll Miss the Carpenters, the Electricians and the Pile Drivers. Sheltering at Home Week 11
With the coronavirus sequestering us at home, our remodel has kept us company. It’s brought living, breathing — masked — people into our house. Read more.
I’m Bored. No, It’s Worse Than That. I’m Boring. Sheltering at Home Week 10
I’d love to chat with the neighbor I spot on the street. But nothing’s happening in my locked-down life. I’ve got no gossip, no big news. I’m boring. Read more.
My Pretty New Clothes — Shall I Just Wear Them Around the House? Sheltering at Home Week 10
My pretty new clothes. I bought them last fall. They’re just hanging in my closet. Shall I take them out and wear them to scrub pots and deadhead azaleas? Read more.
I Need a Haircut. Or do I? Sheltering at Home. Week 9
Nine weeks into the coronavirus shut-down, I’m wondering — do I need a haircut? What would happen if I just let it grow…and grow? Read more.
My Coronavirus Nightmare — I’m in a Crowd of People and I Forgot My Mask. Sheltering at Home Week 9
My psyche is no slouch. It’s keeping up with current events, and it’s invented a coronavirus nightmare to match the times. Read more.
At 78, I Still Have a Lot of Living to Do — Do the Deciders Care? Sheltering at Home Week 8
I’m 78 and I still have a lot of living to do. But I’m feeling marginalized by the coronavirus deciders — corporate leaders, power brokers, TV pundits. Read more.