Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt Did you ever stop and think of all the “Free Stuff” you receive and enjoy every day? Look up at this instant and see the beautiful blue sky above you and the white clouds. The air we breathe, the wind that brushes against our skin as we scurry about each and every…
Tag: Jacquie’s Corner
October 2024, Features
Jacquie’s Corner: Snowbird Relative and … TLC
Jacqueline M. Ruffino My Aunt Jennie was married to my dad’s brother Orazio (Otto). Uncle Otto and my dad Antonino were born in a town named Modica, Sicily. My uncle and my dad came to America via Ellis Island when they were about 11 or 12 years old. They settled in Northern New Jersey. My…
September 2024, Features
Another Milestone Birthday
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt My birthdays are always special and have been spectacular. Thanks to my wonderful and special husband John. Many friends and family participated, celebrated, and always shared my birthdays. I didn’t feel different on Sept. 25 than previous days. Now, this year and month has arrived bringing in my 84th year. I am…
August 2024, Features
Our Beautiful Tradition
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law Helen. On Aug. 30 she would have been 107 years young. Someone I am pleased to have met and became a member of her family. She made me feel welcome and loved the very first time John brought me home to meet his family. We shared many…
July 2024, Features
Jacquie’s Corner: Another Chapter Back in My Early Days—A Special Time
Jacqueline Mary Ruffino-Platt Remembering many years back when the pastor of the little church across the street from my home in New Jersey asked me to look after his father-in-law who was very old and could not feed, dress, bathe himself, and needed assistance. I was quite young at the time, 19 years old to…
June 2024, Features
Jacquie’s Corner: Beautiful Day Here in Arizona
Jacqueline M. Ruffino As I looked out the window from our lovely home, I saw a few folks riding their bikes, two- or three-wheelers, or walking along with their loved ones or some good friends. I rode a bike when I was a child and loved it. However, for many years, I have not sat…
May 2024, Features
Jacquie’s Corner: When the Street Lights Come on, Head for Home
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt One of the instructions given to us as children, when the sun goes down and dusk was slowly approaching, we knew what to do. Head for home. Sometimes, I reminisce how much fun my little friends and I shared growing up in those times. Some evenings, my husband and I share some…
April 2024, Features
Jacquie’s Corner: The Unexpected Birthday Gift: A Tale of Travel, Thrift, and Kindness
Jaqueline M. Ruffino-Platt Several years ago, on a brisk morning in Virginia as I hurried to work, a sense of excitement tingled within me, fueled by the anticipation of a mysterious gift awaiting my discovery. The property manager at my condo had received a large box on my behalf the evening prior, igniting my curiosity.…
March 2024, Features
Jacquie’s Corner: Springtime and a New Life
Jacqueline Ruffino-Platt The flower buds are beginning to show their little heads in all colors, opening their eyes, unfolding their little petals, and sending out the exotic aroma of delicate perfumes. The bushes and trees of the gardenia, rose, lilac, magnolia, jasmine, and orange blossoms showed off their glorious, colorful floral arrangement. While I was…
Features, January 2024
Jacquie’s Corner: Are You Ready to Meet and Greet New Year 2024 and Your Friendships?
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt I don’t know about some of my readers and friends if they are looking forward to another new year and ready to invite and accept the year 2024. For some of you, my readers have had a rather fun year traveling throughout our states and/or country. Meet new neighbors, friends, and acquaintances. Yet some…