Author Archives: sheilawill

Stronger Together: In honor of my friend Olivia

Posted on October 16, 2016 by sheilawill

We come from the era before selfies. Me and my dear friend Olivia, who turns 70 in a few weeks (I beat her by a few months). From promoting kids’ books and reading to little ones, to supporting our now … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Family Matters, Fight wimpiness, Old friends | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Getting older, and older…

Posted on September 10, 2016 by sheilawill

I hope to live to a ripe old age. Watching the end in sight for a 91-year-old family member isn’t easy, but it’s instructive. Yes, she’s got all her paperwork in order. She can pay for an assisted living space, … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Family Matters, Mount Desert Island/Maine, Nature Girl | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

I’m curious about a lot of stuff…

Posted on September 7, 2016 by sheilawill

Does my desk show that I’m curious, or sentimental, or a habitual collector, or is this photo too dark to see any of my tchotchkes (trinkets)? There’s a small ceramic head that my son made in 1st grade. There’s a cheery … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Family Matters, Nature Girl, The Rest of the World | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Turning 70…by plane, by car, by boat, and on my own two feet (part 3)

Posted on August 31, 2016 by sheilawill

Determined to not be on planes and in airports nonstop, I studied a map of Europe. The ultimate goal of “Sheila’s Excellent Adventure” was to visit Ethan and Steph in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Watch for my story in the November issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Fight wimpiness, Food/happy hours, The Rest of the World | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Turning 70…by plane, by boat, by car, and on my own two feet (part 1)

Posted on August 19, 2016 by sheilawill

Lounging by the Mediterranean in Kas, Turkey. I left my home in Tucson, Arizona, on May 3. Since our return to Tucson this week, so many friends have asked, “Where exactly did you go?” First, three days in Boston, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Fight wimpiness, The Rest of the World | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hatred Run Amuck in America

Posted on July 10, 2016 by sheilawill

“Do you know how lucky you are to have been born on this patch of land we call America,”  I often asked my high school students 20 years ago. Many of them looked at me shell-shocked. It’s just the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

‘Ladies and Gentlemen and Dear Children…’

Posted on June 2, 2016 by sheilawill

Little did I know that an airline announcement would have such an impact on me. I took eight flights on Turkish Airlines during “Sheila’s Excellent Adventure” last month. Each time the pilot began a mundane English announcement with “Ladies and … Continue reading →

Posted in Neuroscience needs me, politics, The inconvenient truth about education, The Rest of the World, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The past is never past

Posted on April 25, 2016 by sheilawill

“Great minds think alike,” the woman said to me. With iPhones held high, we were both walking toward the desert century plant in the parking lot. About to hop in my car after Pilates class, the tall stalk of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baby Boomers, Bopping Around Tucson, It's only rock 'n' roll, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Chocolate-covered coffee beans at a historic hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona

Posted on April 24, 2016 by sheilawill

A handful for twenty-five cents. That’s right; the same amount of chocolate-covered coffee beans from Godiva or any other hoity-toity chocolatier would be at least two dollars. We probably ate at least fifty each. We were on a mini-vacation, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Matters, Fight wimpiness, Food/happy hours, Nature Girl, The Rest of the World | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kisses to the world, ‘Optum’ to Turkey

Posted on March 26, 2016 by sheilawill

“Oy Vey’Izmir” (a type of desert kvetch), says Jordan, when I ask what part of Turkey Buket’s from. I wish I had snapped a photo of these two young folks sitting next to us this morning at our Frank’s breakfast. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bopping Around Tucson, Fight wimpiness, Mount Desert Island/Maine, politics, The Rest of the World, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments