Magazine / Off the Beaten Path
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Baby You Can Drive My Car…(But Imma Gonna Drive You Crazy!)
see all of these social media posts from couples who have retired and are now traveling all over the USA and often the world. Alas, my spouse and I are NOT retired, have no clue when that will happen – because ya know – we own the business and we... -
The Simple Life
We had a flurry of birthdays celebrating four generations in March, April, and May. We had family gatherings at the Homestead in addition to a lot of birthday dinners at restaurants. My son was discussing with me where he and his fiancée planned... -
I’m Tired, Boss (But I Won’t Back Down)
I’m feeling like John Coffey from The Green Mile movie. It’s almost the middle of April – it’s been raining for two days; we had snow earlier this week. My arthritis is in full swing – my knees, my ankle, my neck, shoulder and even my fin... -
We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby…
As many of you know, Movin’ Out is celebrating our 50th year of publication! I personally have not been with the company that long, however, I first became aware of Movin’ Out in 1979, when I was just out of high school and worked at the Larry’... -
What In The Sam Hill Tarnation?!
I’m a born and bred Western Pennsylvanian, but when someone asks where I live, I simply say, “PA.” Some might say I am from “Pennsyltucky.” No offense taken. I alternate from saying “Yinz” and “Yuns”. If I don’t like someo... -
The Language Of Love
The recent death of former President Jimmy Carter revealed a love letter that he had written to his wife Rosalynn after they had been married for two years. Carter had been away from her and wrote these words to his love, "My darling, every time I ... -
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?
It’s exactly fourteen days until Christmas 2024 as I write this column. To be honest, for the past two weeks, I’ve been feeling a little Grinchy with a side of Ellen Griswold thrown in for good measure. In fact, I’ve been uttering “You se... -
“Forget Me Not” (You’ll Always Be Remembered…)
January 2025 will mark three years since my Mom died. It’s been three years of profound grief and lots of tears. But for every tear shed, there’s been a smile or a laugh from the beautiful memories she’s left behind for her loved ones to tr... -
Cheers To A Lifetime Of Adventures Together!
My son was born 21 days early – very healthy but it was a big shock that he arrived so soon. The nurses wanted him to stay in the nursery that first night, just to make sure that he was ok. I kept getting out of my bed and would walk to the win... -
They Make Every Day “GRAND”!
Sunday, September 8th was “Grandparents Day”, an informal holiday that is always the Sunday after Labor Day. And it’s a sweet sentiment and one that my Mom always enjoyed celebrating with her grandkids and great-grandkids. Steve and I have hi... -
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, Yeah…
Buckle up, readers because we’re all in for a bit of a rocky ride… My friend Gina and I (we’ve been friends for almost 45 years) recently went to a Sunset Wildflower event. She drove to my house and then I insisted on driving the 9 miles to o... -
Some Of The Best Days Of My Life…
Sometimes you just have to sneak out of the office and grab your gal pals and head out for a quick road trip adventure - that’s exactly what I did earlier this week with my two oldest granddaughters. My middle granddaughter is obsessed with Red P... -
Ten Things I Dislike About You…(Aka Pam’s Airing Of The Grievances…)
Disclaimer: The “You” in the above title is just a vague “You”, it’s really not about “You” unless of course “You” do the things I dislike… So, yeah – it’s been a couple of weeks of bad traveling and life experiences and to ... -
And I Said To Myself…
Louis Armstrong nailed it when he sang that it was a wonderful world! Spring has sprung in the most amazing fashion these past few weeks and soon the glory of Summer will be upon us. The trees are bursting with green leaves that dangle and dance ... -
Turn Around Bright Eyes…
In case you’ve been hiding in an underground tunnel and had no contact with the real world and just now reemerged to catch up on what’s been going on in the world, we had a solar eclipse on April 8th. We live in Western Pennsylvania and our house... -
Gonna Take A Sentimental Journey…
I will ‘fess up right off the bat that I am a packrat, a hoarder and junk collector. I am also the sentimental keeper of family photos, trinkets, cards, and well… just about everything. We’re in the process of shuffling and moving around it... -
Talk “Birdy” To Me…
As I write this column, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. Some girls swoon over expensive jewelry, exotic vacations, designer clothes and handbags, and dining at swanky restaurants. And me? Well… the key to my heart is to talk “birdy” to m... -
Tell Me Why… (No, Seriously, Tell Me Why!)
It’s mid-January and while we have not had the horrible snowstorms that have hit the West and Midwest, we’re currently experiencing our first significant snow of the season. Coupled with windchills that have hit -9, people have been pretty cran... -
On Swan Lake…
Sometimes a girl, or in my case, a little old Grandma keeps secrets from her parents – and well, pretty much the rest of the world. And for some unknown compelling reason, I feel the need this morning to spill my guts and share this tale with all o... -
I’m Just Gonna Shake It Off…
Confession time – I’m kinda a “Swiftie”…. Not a full-fledged Swiftie, I don’t own ALL of Taylor Swift’s albums (but I do have a lot of them!), and I don’t know all of the lyrics to every song (but I can belt out a mean “Shake It Off...