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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…