Not Born Yesterday

We all know that older adults who get regular exercise are healthier than those who don't. But who knew that they are also 60% less likely to develop dementia? And here's the best part: exercise doesn't have to be boring, Dancing can keep your brain younger, as well as healthier! Read More

It's bad enough to be "of a certain age," with doctors and scientists constantly telling us what we should be doing, eating, avoiding, etc., but here's a new wrinkle (so to speak). Now they are telling us what we are supposed to be feeling! Are you ready for this? Happier. Read More

The technology in today's world would have seemed "Buck Roger-ish" in my day, when telephones plugged into the wall, and a "text" was a schoolbook. Think of all the new terms that have come into the language since then, too: Internet, laptop, e-mail, upload, download, website, iPad, Wi-Fi, SmartPhone, and e-books, to name a few. Read More

My mother used to say that good manners were simply the outward expression of inner respect -- or words to that effect. If so, there is precious little respect around today, what with candidates bashing each other in negative campaign ads and calling each other names, politics has become a blood sport. Read More

Those two articles that I thought I had lost, about when — and when not —  to worry about losing your memory have magically reappeared. Of course, they were right where I put them, but who knew? In Part 1 we talked about signs that mean it's probably not serious. Now, it's time to get serious. Read More

Sigmund Freud, who famously and perhaps peevishly, asked the question, "What does a woman want?" might be surprised to know what a Vroomgirl wants. Of course, Freud never met a Vroomie, nor ever imagined such a thing. Read More

Last year at this time I wrote about Stockton, a California community whose mayor was "mad as hell" at Forbes Magazine for naming it "America's Most Miserable City," but this year I can report that it has dropped to eleventh place (and therefore off Forbes' chart of the Ten Most Miserable). Read More

A noted specialist has come out with a simple prescription for what to do (and not to do) in the bedroom. As he explains it: "Psychologically, people need to use the bedroom for sleeping and making love, and not much else." Read More

Until a recent GOP political debate, I had never heard the term "brain freeze," and I would almost bet that Governor Rick Perry of Texas hadn't heard it either (and surely hopes that he never has to hear it again). Seeing it further described as a "retrieval failure, memory lapse, or drawing a blank" helped to put the thing in perspective for me. Read More

When our children are young, we try to instill a sense of sportsmanship by telling them that "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." Sadly, when they grow up they may find out differently. Read More

Forget gender bias. Much has happened in the three decades since I was a victim of that kind of discrimination. Back then I was competing with men in the aircraft industry, and trying to convince airline executives that I was just as good a designer as male candidates for the job. But one executive wasted no time in telling me, "I will not have a woman designing my aircraft ... Read More

Faithful readers of Dear Abby's advice column occasionally see a letter that seems to speak directly to them. It happened to me when I read one from a woman who said her daughter is self-centered, lies compulsively, and does not consider the consequences of her actions. The girl has been diagnosed with something called narcissistic personality disorder. Read More

The citizens of Stockton are "mad as hell," according to the mayor of this mid-California community, and they have labeled Steve Forbes an "evil dictator," comparable to recently deposed leaders of the Arab world. At issue is Forbes Magazine calling Stockton -- for the second time, no less! -- America's Most Miserable City.

I think this is patently unfair. Read More

I don't know about this. There's a new study which would have us believe that kids will make better choices in school cafeteria lines if a little psychology is used... Read More