• On the Map

    On the Map: One Day Trip, Three Philly Museums (Barnes, Calder, and the Museum of Illusions

    November 28, 2025 /

    One of the nice things about being over 65 is all the discounts and free passes you’re eligible for. This includes a Senior Pass for Philadelphia’s SEPTA transportation system. It includes busses, and best of all the light rail trains. We drive to Yardley, PA, and catch the train into the city. It’s so much nicer than driving, and we can make a day trip out of it. We just did this again with our friends Beth and Doris. We hit three museums and had lunch at the Barnes. Check them out, along with photographs.

    Three Museums, One Fabulous Day in Philadelphia

    If you’ve ever wanted to feel cultured, curious, and just a little bit mystified—all in one day—Philadelphia is the place. We decided to stack our itinerary with three very different experiences: the Barnes Foundation, the brand-new Calder Gardens museum, and the Museum of Illusions. By the end I felt like a well-rounded human being who could appreciate both a Renoir masterpiece and a room that made me look six inches tall. That last one made for a great photograph, with Frank standing tall next to me.

    Stop #1: The Barnes Foundation — A Feast for the Eyes (and the Brain)

    Dr. Albert Barnes collected art the way some of us collect coffee mugs—enthusiastically and a little obsessively. The result is a mind-bending arrangement of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern paintings hung salon-style, meaning your eyes dart from a Cézanne to a Modigliani to a random metal hinge all in the same field of vision.  The very idea that one space could house so many paintings by a single master, let alone the many artists represented her, is astonishing.

    Read More
  • One Thing or Another,  One Thing or Another Column

    One Thing or Another Column: Not Worth the Weight

    November 23, 2025 /

    By Mark McNease 

    How things have changed. When I first wrote this column GLP-1 drugs were not yet ubiquitous. Most people had never heard of them, except for reports of some individuals using a diabetic medication called Ozempic for weight loss. I recoiled at the idea. I would never inject myself with something to lose weight! But then, having failed for many years to actually shed the 50 extra pounds I’d put on (twice what’s mentioned in the column), I tried it. Not surprisingly, it worked. Almost a year and half later I’m still using Zepbound, among the most popular, and I’ve lost 35 pounds. Is it forever? Is anything, or anyone, forever? I’m hoping they finally come out with the pill version that’s been promised, but in the meantime I’ve got a steady supply in the fridge.

    MY AMAZING WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY began five years ago. With great effort and dedication, I’ve managed to shed four pounds since that first fateful calorie count. How did I achieve this feat of negligible weight loss? I never thought you’d ask.

    It all started with a now-defunct company called Lean Chefs. For a reasonable fee, they delivered a day’s worth of prepared food while we slept: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two yummy snacks. The food magically showed up at our front door, delivered by someone who, like Santa Claus, made their rounds unseen, past apathetic doormen and suspicious neighbors with insomnia. I would peer into the corridor first thing in the morning and there it was, a small black package at my feet, looking like something that might require a call to the bomb squad under normal circumstances. Inside it was the coming day’s food with an ice pack and an unspoken promise: eat these healthy provisions, and only these, and miracle weight loss will occur.

    Read More
  • 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
  • Humorscope

    Your Weekly LGBTSr Humorscope

    November 17, 2025 /

    Welcome to your weekly LGBTSr horoscope with a laugh track. But seriously …

    ♈ Aries (March 21–April 19)

    You’re bursting with energy—almost too much. Try not to start three new projects before finishing breakfast. Midweek brings a minor annoyance, probably caused by someone walking slowly in front of you. Breathe. The weekend is for fun, not for challenging strangers to races.

    ♉ Taurus (April 20–May 20)

    You want luxury, snacks, and a nap… but the universe wants you to be productive. Rude. A financial decision becomes clearer by Thursday—just don’t shop online while tired, emotional, or breathing. Treat yourself responsibly.

    ♊ Gemini (May 21–June 20)

    You’re in full chatterbox mode, charming everyone within a five-mile radius. Expect a surprising invite or message. Could be exciting, could be weird. Either way, you’ll talk about it for days. Romance gets a mild upgrade—think “flirty eyebrows,” not full Shakespeare.

    Read More
  • Around the House

    Around the House: How to Winterize Your Home

    November 16, 2025 /

    By Mark McNease

    Our little house in the woods has terrible insulation, in part because it was once a one-room structure! It’s been added onto over the years, and while it’s still small, it has the look and feel of something designed by a less ambitious Dr. Frankenstein. The heating vents are here and there, snaking into various rooms and not being very effective in heating them. Only the bathroom seems to be consistently warm in the winter, and no  one wants to spend their time in the house huddled by the bathroom sink.

    My writing desk in the living room is especially susceptible to the cold air. The A/C in the window next to me, and the window itself, do very little to keep out the cold. So how can we winterize our homes and apartments? Blankets, towels, and taped trash bags only go so far. Here’s a list of ways we can tackle the winter freez.

    How to Winterize Your House or Apartment: A Practical Guide

    Preparing our homes for winter can save money, prevent damage, and keep us warm all season long. Whether we live in a house or an apartment, a little preparation now goes a long way. Here’s a simple guide to help you get ready—without spending a fortune or needing special skills.

    Seal Out the Cold

    Stopping drafts is the most cost-effective way to improve warmth and energy efficiency.

    Where to Start

    • Weatherstrip or apply removable caulk around windows and doors.
    • Seal gaps around baseboards, outlets, and plumbing entries.
    • Hang thermal or blackout curtains for extra insulation.

    Apartment-Friendly Tips

    • Use removable draft stoppers at door bottoms.
    • Apply clear shrink-film insulation to windows.
    • Add thick curtains or layered blinds to reduce heat loss.
    Read More