Author Archives: cyrein

This is all about me and changes over time, as recognized by another. That ‘other’ is my husband of 33 years, Paul. In the early years of our relationship, he often referred to me (hopefully, jokingly) as ‘the colonel.’ Yes, I was bossy and, evidently, expected to be obeyed. I never contradicted him, sensing theContinue reading “The Colonel and the Queen”

There will be no big reveals in this writing, only my expression of the enormous joy I often experience in my water aerobics class, attended usually on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 8:45 at the local Y. 7:15 am At home before that, I sit with my iPad, scanning headlines of the Boston Globe andContinue reading “Joy in the Morning”

On June 20, 2020, an African man was arrested in Danvers for driving under the influence. His trial was held on June 21, 2023. He rejected a jury trial and was found guilty by the judge. His story is of interest, particularly during this time of increased racial injustice awareness. Shortly after his arrest, IContinue reading “A Trial After Three Years”

I’m seventy-six, with a multitude of ailments, but can mostly do what I want to do, provided there is not a lot of physical exertion. For example, this morning I participated in a water aerobics class at my local Y, doing most of the demonstrated exercises, occasionally slowing the pace for myself to a halfContinue reading “Anticipating Death, Loving Life”

My three weeks in Bali were extraordinary. Now, I’ve never gone on a vacation that I didn’t love, never traveled to a place that I didn’t care for. However, there was something different, more special about Bali that I can’t describe. Something seemingly minor, though, draws me to invest in this description: the characterization ofContinue reading “The People I Met in Bali”

Typically when I travel, I visit and enjoy museums, as they give me a broader perspective and a sense of the history of the place, enlarging my actual experience. When I was in Egypt last year, I immensely enjoyed the Cairo museum with its spectacular exhibits, many collected from nearby sites. Additionally, I had anContinue reading “Bali Museums”

This was day 14 of our trip to Bali, that ended up including time on Flores Island, another beautiful Indonesian island. Wait til you hear about today’s adventure du jour! It began at breakfast, when we exchanged waves with a cute three-year-old girl and her parents. We’d decided that we needed a day simply toContinue reading “Adventure du Jour”

We know we’re each in our own bubble, right? Self-focused, self-immersed, with our vision limited, not so much by being myopic, as much as by an inability to really see beyond ourselves. Well, my bubble right now is one of excessive goodness. I was reminded of this by Matt Haig’s book, The Midnight Library, p.Continue reading “In My Bubble”

What do you think this is going to be about? The title is a bit provocative, intentionally. I have just returned from an incredible weekend of pleasure, not decadent pleasure, but rather pleasure that expands and supports your best self. It was not self-serving and self-indulgent in an ordinary way, though it felt totally self-indulgent.Continue reading “Pleasure and Disruption”

It’s my writing time, but I don’t feel like writing. So, what to do? I’m approaching the end of a book I’ve really enjoyed (The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O’Farrell) and I’m also nearing completion of a thousand-piece puzzle that I’d love to finish. Reading or puzzling? No, I’m a stoic, so I WILL WRITE.Continue reading “Not Writing”