Words & Banter

Live & Learn

Design by Sawyer Pennington, Underlying photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Red, like many parents of a graduating high school senior, can't believe how quickly the years have gone by and knows this summer will fly by and then her little "baby" will be off to college. But while Red was focused more on how her daughter has grown into a young lady and was "compartmentalizing" this portion of Sawyer's life, Black was looking at things differently and focusing on the big picture of her education, recognizing college would just be a step-along-the-way.


While there's no question that graduation is a milestone and worthy of celebration, it's also human nature to think that once you finish your formal education, you're now "done". But Black doesn't think any of us should ever be "done" learning and uses Red being forced to realize that when she was 40+ years old as an example.

On the surface, that might sound like a "negative" example, except Black uses it to point out an essential skill that Red demonstrates that's extremely valuable in the workplace … and in life. In fact, Red didn't realize it even existed (or, at least, had a name), let alone be something she possesses. Adaptability.

The funny thing is since Red's daughter's approaching college with enthusiasm and an open mind, willing to try new things, and welcoming unexpected opportunities, she'll become adaptable without even realizing it. Hopefully, her "learning mindset" will continue after graduation.

And what about those of us who are no longer in school? Well, as Black points out to her sister in "RED & BLACK … Live & Learn," there are many reasons to become a lifelong learner.

Want to read other columns? Here's a list.

Image by filipefrazao on iStock

Were you like Red and shocked when the actor Chadwick Boseman died at the age of 43 after battling colon cancer for years? Cancer isn’t only for older people, and recent studies show more people under 50 are getting cancer. (Doctors aren’t sure why but suspect it may be due to less physical activity, more highly processed foods, and new toxins.) That’s why cancer screenings are more important than ever!

February may be Cancer Prevention Month – but we need to do it all year! Every year. And is why we’re rerunning last year’s post …



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I know that cancer isn’t the “death sentence” it used to be when we were growing up, but it’s still a very scary word. Especially if it’s heard “close to home”.


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When we were young, the word was rarely said. And if it was, it was whispered or referred to as the “ c-word.”


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Kind of like when I had my two miscarriages. No one wanted even to acknowledge, let alone talk about, them. Which made it all the more difficult to get through it, although intellectually, I knew it was not uncommon.


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Unfortunately, neither is cancer. It is the second-leading cause of death in the world, surpassed only by heart disease. But, at least, it is no longer a taboo subject.


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Please don’t make this about numbers. It’s about people. Which you should know. I’m sure you remember when Daddy was diagnosed with parotid gland cancer , which luckily was treatable. And I’ve had skin cancer, although I was very fortunate, it was caught early and easily treated.
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Even though Red’sthe warm and fuzzy one and Black’s extremely pragmatic, we both think of hearts on Valentine’s Day. Just not in quite the same way …



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Happy Valentine’s Day. And before you say anything, yes, I know you don’t celebrate holidays, so just humor me.


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But, I do “celebrate” February being American Heart Month since heart disease is the leading cause of death – for both men and women.


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Gee, that’s one way to turn a “fun” holiday into a real downer. Today’s supposed to be about letting people you love and care about know that you’re thinking of them. Think Hallmark cards, squishy teddy bears, chocolate hearts.
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Photo by OnTheRunPhoto for iStock

Are you taking the Dry January challenge and not having any alcohol for the month? Or, maybe you plan to drink less (but not nothing), which makes it Damp January. Or, maybe this is the first you’ve heard of it. (If so, there’s still time to start!)

Well, nothing much has changed from our approach to Dry January last year, except the one who had started drinking more last year is continuing the trend …



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I keep getting emails about where to go for mocktails. I know alcohol-free cocktails, like Virgin Margaritas, have been around for a while, but I’d never heard that term before. Do you think it has to do with New Year’s resolutions?


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It can if any of your resolutions are to lose weight, save money, sleep better. Or, drink less. Psychologically, January is the month when we “reset”, so a UK-based organization, Alcohol Change UK , started Dry January , where you abstain from drinking alcohol.


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Perfect timing since many people shop, eat, and drink more than usual over the holidays.


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I know you used to drink a glass of Cold Duck on New Year’s Eve, a tradition going back to our childhood, but that hardly counts as drinking. But, I have always wondered why you rarely drink, but never asked.
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