Articles written by Barbara M Traynor

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About me - Barbara M Traynor

I love to write fiction, non-fiction, satirical poems, and sometimes sarcastic OpEds. Enjoy writing about my travels and volunteering which I hope to turn into a non-fiction book. If you are looking for a wonderful network of writers, google IWWG (the International

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Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness How to take responsibility for your health care: 1 of 18

Do you smile when you wake up in the morning? Henry David Thoreau (author, mid-1800's) did. He wrote, "love your life!" and lived at the edge of Walden Pond, at one with nature, believing an individual could lead a life of healthy simplicity and independence apart from social organization and material civilization. While not...
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) Your most meaningful family traditions: 12 of 178

Most families have a paper Advent Calendar with doors to gently pry open, or a Santa on a string to move from pocket to pocket, or, at the very least, a Christmas tree with numbers to cross out as each day in December slowly, ever so slowly, edges forward to the ultimate goal of Christmas. Well, that is most families, but no...
Arts & Humanities > Writing (Other) The importance of effective communication skills: 3 of 20

Respond, don't react should be the first rule of communication. A baby reacts to hunger by crying, a quick outburst requiring immediate attention. Children react unconditionally, until influenced by their environment. Adolescents react for show, sometimes just to see what response their speech or actions will garner. As adul...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: The joy of retirement: 5 of 22

The Joy of Retirement Two years ago I retired, got into the car, and drove to Alaska to volunteer for a year at a small college. Retirement is a time to make dreams come true. As a single, middle-income, independent woman, I never had time to be on my own schedule or to visit our national parks. Now was the time! For me, dri...
Home & Garden > Buying & Selling Homes Tips for renting a moving van: 2 of 7

Tips on Renting a Moving Van The first issue you need to address before renting a moving van is whatever vehicle you rent will fit under whatever railroad bridge is on your route. No, I did not get stuck, but it meant using up miles and gas that I could not afford. In moving, it is the little issues that will give you the gr...
Travel > Travel Diaries & Adventures (Other) How to make your travels memorable: 12 of 30

To have a pleasurable memory of where I have traveled, all I need do is close my eyes. Swaying palms float across the back of my eyelids, the gentle pulsing of the tide releases the tension in my neck, obliterating the present moment. I relax into the landscape spread like my own PowerPoint presentation, frame after frame. W...
Travel > Hawaii Destinations Attractions and activities on Oahu, HI: 10 of 20

The pleasure and difficulty of Oahu is that it is a piece of paradise and most people rush around so much, they miss most of what they could enjoy. Most do not see what little there is of "old" Hawaii because they do not get to the North Shore, or whiz by on a tour bus, not taking the time to walk onto the brown sugar beach,...
Relationships & Family > Relationships & Family (Other) Commentary: Loving life on the far side of 50: 14 of 26

The other side of fifty? No problem. It's the twenties that you have to look out for, but no one knows it at the time. Once past thirty, your confidence in yourself begins to grow, content in your body (with proper exercise and diet), at peace with your family (provided they are not yo-yo's), and satisfied with your marriage...
Education > Education (Other) What place do libraries have in our education system today, considering the rise in Internet-based research?: 34 of 62

Libraries, virtual or hands-on, will continue to have a presence in education socially and psychologically by virtue of their literary ingrained presence. They belong in our educational system, side-by-side with the Internet. Both are a learning environment whether in a room or through cyberspace. Today, even the most school...
Home & Garden > Real Estate (Other) Commentary on long-distance moving: 31 of 52

Moving without Trauma OK, so here we go again. Number fifteen of what was to be twenty-one moves in twenty-five years. This move would be from New England to Cincinnati, Ohio with three children under eight plus a dog. I had it almost down to a science. First: explain to your children with phrases like "Guess where we are go...