• LGBTSR,  Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: Understanding Social Security Spousal Benefits

    November 21, 2025 /

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    How do Social Security spousal benefits work? My wife, who’s approaching age 62, has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. What is she entitled to?

    Primary Breadwinner                                                                        

    Dear Breadwinner,

    Spousal benefit questions are among the most frequently asked and confusing parts of Social Security. The rules that govern qualifying and claiming are knotty, and there are many exceptions. But understanding how these benefits work is crucial for maximizing your family’s retirement income. Here’s what you should know.

    What Are Spousal Benefits?

    Social Security spousal benefits are designed to provide retirement income to spouses who either didn’t work or worked sporadically/part-time and earned significantly less than their spouses over their working lifetime. A stay-at-home parent is a good example of a spousal benefit recipient.

    Read More
  • LGBTSR

    Thanksgiving Ideas for Anyone

    November 21, 2025 /

    By Mark McNease

    It’s that time again, when people who still travel for Thanksgiving are preparing to head out next week, and those of us who don’t are either having a meal with friends, family, solo in a restaurant, or not at all. Although Thanksgiving is probably the most benign holiday we have–you can’t really call it Satanic, and it’s not specific to a particular deity, there are still people for whom any holiday at all is overkill. We respect the holiday haters among us, so read on if you’re not one of them and you’d like to consider Thanksgiving from a few different angles. (Note: a Canadian friend told me they celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October and don’t make such a big deal out of it.)

    Thanksgiving Your Way: Hosting, Hugging, or Just Hanging Out

    Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re packing away the last of the Halloween candy (okay, eating it), and the next minute every grocery store in America is fighting for its life in the turkey aisle. But here’s the thing: Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a Norman Rockwell painting. It doesn’t have to look like a sitcom family gathering around a perfectly roasted bird no mortal could ever achieve.

    Thanksgiving can be whatever you want it to be—big, small, loud, quiet, or delightfully effortless.

    If You’re Hosting the Whole Parade…

    First of all: bless you. Hosting Thanksgiving is like being a cruise director with stuffing. You’re managing food, feelings, and at least one person who insists they don’t eat carbs anymore.

    A few ways to keep it fun—and sane:

    • Prep like a pro: Chop veggies, bake pies, and set the table the night before so you aren’t basting a turkey while simultaneously trying to find your festive napkins.
    • Assign dishes: You don’t get an award for making everything yourself. Let your cousin bring the green bean casserole. Let your neighbor bring rolls. Let someone—anyone—bring wine.
    • Create a moment: A gratitude jar, a toast, a quick round of “What made you smile this year?” It doesn’t need to be sappy—just a little anchor in all the chaos.
    • Embrace imperfections: Turkey too dry? Gravy too thick? Pie still jiggling in the middle? Who cares? Your guests came for you, not your culinary precision. (And also the wine.)
    Read More
  • LGBTSR

    ‘God’s Teeth’ Places Third In Hunterdon Main Library Short Story Contest – Read Them All

    November 20, 2025 /

    How much more could I love our local libraries? The main branch of the Hunterdon County Library, where I also conduct workshops, recently held a short story contest. All of the stories are posted online, and you can read my own ‘God’s Teeth’ at the library’s website. LINK HERE.

    UPDATE: My story placed third! From the Hunterdon Co. Library organizers:

    “Hello Mark,
    Congratulations! Your story “God’s Teeth” got third place in the Adults Category of the Hunterdon County Short Story Contest. Pick up your prize at the North County Branch Library in Clinton.
    Thank you so much for participating! It was a pleasure to read your work!
    Best,
    Tess Furnari”

     

    Read More
  • LGBTSR

    Book Your Holidays Now: The Bookworm’s Reading Gift Guide Part II (Nonfiction, History, True Crime)

    November 17, 2025 /

    By Terri Schlichenmeyer
    The Bookworm Sez

    GENERAL NONFICTION

    For the politics-watcher, “The Improbably Victoria Woodhull” by Eden Colllinsworth (Doubleday) will be a nice surprise gift. It’s about the first woman to run for President, but that’s not the only historical thing Woodhull did with her life. Wrap it up with a bookmark and let your giftee be astounded.

    So how did we get here, politically? The person on your gift list who wants to know will want “Trajectory of Power: The Rise of the Strongman Presidency” by William G. Howell and Terry M. Moe (Princeton University Press), a history book that may explain a lot. Another politics-based book you might want to give is “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Firhg for Black Political Power” by Abby Phillip (Flatiron Books). This book focuses on Jackson’s legacy, specifically, his runs for President in 1984 and 1988. It’s a great addition to your political giftee’s library.

    If there’s an activist on your list – someone who’s concerned with the justice system, “The Volunteer” by Gianna Toboni (Atria) will be an absorbing gift. It’s the story of Scott Dozier, who was sent to death row in Nevada in 2007.  He didn’t fight to get off death row; in fact, what he fought for was that his sentence be hastened. Don’t bother to wrap this up with a bookmark; your giftee won’t need one.

    How’s this for fun? “Super Visible: The Story of the Women of Marvel Comics” by Margaret Stohl with Jeanine Schaefer and Judith Stephens (Gallery Books). It’s a good, long look (with pictures!) at the women who helped shape Marvel Comics into the powerhouse you know. Wrap it up with another fan favorite: “Welcome to the Family” by Barry Hertz (Grand Central), a book that’s everything about the Fast & Furious movie franchise and why we love it so much.

    Read More
  • LGBTSR,  The Weekly Readlines

    The Weekly Readlines November 15

    November 15, 2025 /

    From the Editor’s desk: I really like this new Weekly Readlines format. It’s lean and clean, and I’m able to round up the news a lot faster. – Mark

    BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

    The government is open again, though as broken as it ever was. No jobs numbers, no economic data, what’s not to trust?

    The upside: House Speaker Johnson finally swore in AZ Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who provided the final signature needed (218) to force a vote on the Epstein files. Will they be released? I’ll believe it when I see it.

    And SCOTUS decided to wait for another case to overturn Obergfell (my best guess) and turned down the Kim Davis case. Is she even still alive? Has anyone seen her for years now? I’m not so sure.

    🏳️‍🌈 LGBT+ News

    🩺 Health News

    Read More
  • LGBTSR

    Online Workshops in December: Fiction Writing, Self-Publishing, and Autobiographical Journaling

    November 14, 2025 /

    I’m excied to announce three online workshops coming up in December, with more online and in-person workshops planned for the new year. These will be held via Zoom from 2:00 – 4:00 pm eastern to accomodate participants in multiple time zones. (Workshops are limited to 8 participants each.) Just click on the links below to register. And now you can also purchase gift certificates for the writer in your life!

    Gift certificates are good for any workshop or project. 

    Fiction Writing Essentials: 2 Hour Online Workshop
    Join us on December 03 via Zoom – 2:00 – 4:00 PM eastern

    In these writing classes and workshops you’ll explore your own creativity as writers, learning what makes good characters, page-turning plots, and the illusion of conversation we call dialogue.

    Have you wondered where story ideas come from? Or how to take an idea and turn it into fiction? What do you do when you get stuck? How are some of the ways we can keep ourselves going from the whisper of an idea to a full-fledged short story or novel? Learn structure, outlining, narrative, point of view, and more, as you become what you want to be, or what you already are: a writer. Yes, you can!

    Read More
  • LGBTSR

    Coming in January! Weekly Autobiographical Journaling Workshop In-Person in Lambertville

    November 14, 2025 /

    Coming up in January: A weekly journaling workshop in Lambertville, NJ

    REGISTER HERE

    I’ll be conducting a weekly autiobigraphical journaling workshop every Monday, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm (eastern) at Bucks on Bridge Coffee Shop/Soupcon art space. It’s a great location for intimate workshops and it’s also a terrific way to support and be part of the community.

    It will be $10 weeklyk ‘at the door’ or $30 for a month (4 or 5 weeks, excluding absences for vacation or travel).

    Autobiographical journaling centers on thematic writing, with participants writing each week on a selected theme. Wokshops include handouts, thought- and conversation-generating ideas and suggestions, ice breakers, flash writing each week, and the pleasures of bonding with the group members while we all travel this path together.

    Every life is a story, and each of us is the storyteller. Participants will join in journaling exercises, various weekly pre-workshop assignments (such as bringing in photos or objects of meaning) and a weekly theme-based writing assignment. Pen and pad are strongly suggested! In -person participants will receive the workshop outline (PowerPoint), complimentary folder, yellow writing pad, and pen.

    Read More