Packin' a stink

Optimism seems to be the twin sister of gratitude

I go to the gym most days and see people stretching and exercising just about every muscle, but the one muscle I don’t ever see exercised is the tongue. Of course, how would I know? But this I do know: whether it’s complaining or criticizing, arguing or gossiping, far too often people allow themselves to “go packin’ a stink,” as my daughter likes to say.

A pound of flesh

Athelia Sears Tanner, my mom

This week was Barbie's 50th birthday. My friend, who also turned 50, received a Barbie doll as a birthday gift. Barbie looked the same as always--leggy and buxom, blonde and tan. And she still looks great in a bikini. Barbie hasn't changed, but the rest of us have. I daresay we've been through much more than Barbie, though. I never heard tell of her getting pregnant or giving birth.