I recently realized that I can’t remember how old I am anymore. When the question comes up, my eyes open wide and I freeze, wracking my brain for the answer. But the number is never there, not even on the tip of my tongue, and I end up staring blankly into space for 20 minutes, wondering if I have early-onset Alzheimer’s.

I turn 43 today. It’s interesting and uninteresting at the same time. I still feel strong and fit, but I hear my mom when I sneeze or bend over to pick something up. I also have a harder time remembering how many candles should be on my birthday cake, much less how old I am on any other given day. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I celebrated turning 40?

Happy Tax Day Birthday! For most Americans, April 15th is Tax Day. For me, it’s Sam’s birthday. Every year when it arrives, I find myself smiling and thinking of him, instead of making sure I’ve paid my taxes. It’s funny how you can remember some random things forever when they fall on significant dates, even a birthday you celebrated over 20 years ago. On most days, I can barely remember my...

I’d been blissfully ignorant of “it” until my first trip to Las Vegas. That was nearly 20 years ago, but I distinctly remember tossing a Bellagio-branded Wet-Nap® aside as I slid into an empty seat in front of (yet another) slot machine. As I gave the handle a satisfying crank, all the Wet-Naps I’d seen lying around started drifting through my mind. I wondered why, of all things, casinos chose to...

It’s been too long since I’ve shared something from my notebook. So, in honor of Halloween, I dug through my archive to see if I had a good scare to share. I hope you enjoy one of my favorites. Happy Halloween! ~ hvh