Does This Woman Even Exist?
Whew. I’m exhausted just reading this list from an online profile:
I prefer smart women with pleasant personalities, high integrity, humility, poise, class, above average social, listening and conversational skills, an understanding of empathy and the ability to practice it daily, good physical and mental energy and self-awareness, and a personal sense of style.
Artwork by Aliza Razell
One More Reason Not to Smoke
A 37-year old man in my neighborhood who I barely know except to say hi when we pass each other with our dogs, blurted out that he has stage 2 bladder cancer. It was right after I was making small talk about the weather. The bluntness of his confession stunned me, especially as we’re practically strangers and I hardly knew what to say, except, “I’m so, so sorry.” He admitted that he had smoked for 22 years, which is the number one risk factor for his kind of cancer. After getting the diagnosis, he quit immediately.
Girl Smoking by Richard Diebenkorn
Better Than Diamonds
When I was a young girl and my mother was wearing diamonds, I used to go into her jewelry box and place her plain gold wedding band on the fourth finger of my left hand, and imagine what it felt like to be married. This ring seems like a lot more fun.
How to Stay Upbeat in February
Today, I spoke to my brother who lives in New England. For decades this time of year, we’ve been having a similar conversation: I gloat about the high temps in California, and he tells me how much he enjoys the cold weather and the number of inches of snow accumulating on his roof. (Right now, there’s a foot.) But even my perpetually cheerful brother expressed his winter fatigue.
What are your strategies for staying upbeat in the cold?
Illustration by Walter Trier
Pre-Spring Fever
Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari for the Spring Fashion issue of New York Magazine
One More Reason to Hate Online Dating
Excerpt from a profile of a man suggested as compatible by Match.com:
Do you consider yourself hot- smart- and fun? Will I be in love with you and think of you as the pretties woman in the room for the next 25 years?
(typo is his)
Pouch by Pamela Barksy
Wisdom from a Founding Father
“It is better to be alone than in bad company.” – George Washington
Painting by Grant Wood
Archive for February, 2014
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