Articles written by Lisa Federico

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Health & Fitness > Nicotine Dependence To smoke or not to smoke: 2 of 29
TO SMOKE OR NOT TO SMOKE I am not a smoker. I have never tried smoking, and don't intend to. I think it's a filthy, disgusting habit. But it's just that, a habit. Habits can be broken. I recognize smokers have taken a lot of grief over the years from hardcore non-smokers who have vigorously lobbied for non... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Childhood: 6 of 72
It was late summer, almost time to go back to school the end of the season and of time at Papa and Nana's home the big old house surrounded by apple trees, a peach tree, grapevines, lilac bushes, and a huge vegetable garden. I was 11 then, sitting in the sunshine by myself, breathing in the aroma of a small sprig of lilacs th... More..
Health & Fitness > Cancer Personal experiences with cancer: 1 of 10
Personal Experience With Cancer I met Cindy by accident, maybe luck, early in December two years ago. I was visiting a friend at a multi-service facility: Nursing Home / Express Recovery / Acute Care / Hospice. My friend was in Express Recovery a three month period of care and physical therapy following spine su... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition (Other) Reasons to be a vegetarian: 3 of 28
Everyone has heard the old saying you are what you eat but unfortunately not everyone knows it's true. I would prefer to be a grapefruit or a cucumber rather than a pork chop or a hot dog. Consider the diet of a vegetarian: lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, multi-grain breads and pastas, extra virgin o... More..
Relationships & Family > Elderly Parents & Care Elderly care: Why you should keep your parents out of nursing homes: 3 of 24
My parents both turned 75 this year. Other than typical aged related aches and pains exacerbated by the endless northeast winters and lousy, humid summers they're healthy, and busy members of their local community. Dad lives for his garden 100+ years old started by his father, and lush with over twenty different vegetables t... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Memories: 14 of 98
Memories Her real name doesn't matter. Everyone called her Candy because she used to own a penny candy store in the 50s selling sweet treats, an infectious giggle, and unmistakable charm. By the time I met her, living in a nursing home where I volunteered, she was in her late 70s suffering from weakened lungs and a ... More..
Health & Fitness > Weight Issues Dangers of obesity: 2 of 14
Dangers of Obesity My neighbor Maggie is 65 years old and obese, about 5'9 and 450 lbs. In the six years I've known her she's gotten bigger and bigger. With the increased weight she's developed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and regular bouts of cellulitis. She's become a heart attack, a stroke just waiting ... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Remembering: 7 of 39
Although it was a brief encounter with a man I never met and would never see again, I will always remember Hungarian Joe and Mabel the duck. It was one of those glorious Indian summer afternoons, a Sunday when you could feel the cooler temperatures coming, but it was still warm in the sun. I often packed my lunch and a goo... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Elders know best: 1 of 5
Elders Know Best. Ruth is 96 years old and I think she's seen it all. She's been there done that, and then some. Ruth is mostly confined to a wheelchair now due to breaking a leg and a hip when she was a spring chicken in her 80s. She's also had various operations over the years outlived two husbands, and a son, and has b... More..
Relationships & Family > Cheating & Trust Issues Jealousy: An inner battle: 5 of 22
Jealousy: An Inner Battle Just when I think the conflict will subside, when the jealousy will drain from her very being, something will set her off and the battle within starts all over again. She is 64 years old now. Will she ever let it go? Margie has been my neighbor for years. She and her husband, Paul, have no children. ... More..