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.…
Tag: Jacquie’s Corner
Features, March 2024
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…
January 2024, Features
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…
Features, November 2023
Jacquie’s Corner: Veterans Day and My Contribution
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt The year was 1972 when I moved from New Jersey to Northern Virginia. My first apartment was in Arlington, close to Fort Myer Army Base. Each morning I woke with the sounds of Reveille and in the evening the beautiful bugle sounds of “Taps.” I followed my senses and interest in the…
Features, October 2023
Jacquie’s Corner: What I Learned from My Mom
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt Wow … delicious … juices running and aromas of the finest culinary delights you can imagine. As most of you know, I love to cook and bake, inherited some of my talents from my mom. A woman who cooked and baked without one shred of a recipe. Years ago I asked Mom if…
Features, September 2023
Jacquie’s Corner: Another Best Birthday Ever … Again
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt May the coming year’s trip around the sun be the best ever. Each year as we grow older, and sometimes wiser and happier, we receive “Happy Birthday,” “Best Wishes,” “Have a Wonderful Day” from our family and friends. My mailbox is filled with beautiful cards with meaningful sentiments from those who remembered…
Features, August 2023
Jacquie’s Corner: We Are Out There …
Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt You came into this world alone. On that special day you were born, you felt the warmth of your mother’s breast as she cuddled you. A tender touch of your dad’s fingers. Held with fragile arms, kissed, hugged, and tickled until a tiny smile begins to appear and your mom and dad…
Features, July 2023
Jacquie’s Corner: At the Beach
Jacqueline M. Ruffino Platt Growing up in North Jersey and approximately three hours to “Down the Shore,” as we called South Jersey, was my best weekend getaway. The shore points included Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Keansburg, and, of course, Atlantic City. And Cape May if you wanted to venture a little farther south.…
Features, September 2022
Jacquie’s Corner
Stop the World and Review the Situation Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt “Review Your Situation” Someone recently said to me they felt their life had been accomplished. Roads traveled, books read, movies watched, foods sampled, children grown and nothing more to do. There is so much more to accomplish at any age. Some folks become nervous and saddened…