The Suburban Newspaper

The following articles have been published in The Suburban Newspaper at www.thesuburban.com
My Column is titled:   Living in the Now

Desert Rose

May 25, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

The ‘60s were so cool, hip, groovy and psychedelic.  The music was awesome and inspiring. For some crazy reason, I thought turning 60 would breed that kind of mentality.  I would be cooler, hip, groovy and psychedelically chill.   No one warned me that turning 60 would provide me the opportunity to live life as a Desert Rose.

All Consuming

Apr 28, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

You’re born! Take your first breath, in and out. Breathe… A good hard cry is a great sign of life. Fill up those lungs with air.

Already you’re a consumer of what the world has to offer. First it’s the air, next it’s the water. You will need clothing, shelter and food. Hopefully, all will be provided for you. You are a consumer of the world.

Psychedelic Sue’s Peace, Love & a Cure

Mar 27, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Ya know what happens in the spring time?

It’s the official launch of my Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) campaign to raise funds to help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes!

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! YA BABY!

This year’s campaign is especially fun as I’ve combined my age with the theme. We are rolling in the 1960s baby!  We are getting down, wearin’ hip cool shades and flashing a foxy peace sign.

It’s Groovy Baby!

The Word Emporium of Chocolatology

Mar 21, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

I must admit, I think I learn more from my students than they learn from me! Okay, okay, that might not be the absolute truth, but sometimes I feel this way.

The Cummings course, “Write About It”, started out as a simple creative writing course, which has now morphed into a Word Emporium of Written Beauty, chocolate included!

Just Make the Damn Call

Mar 10, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

If you’re living, you should not be in the waiting room of life.

Go out there and get the people you want to be with.

Love and reach out to your friends!

Because… Waiting for Godot doesn’t get you anywhere, he never shows up!

Get it Off the Table!

Feb 22, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Ohhhh, I miss the art of the conversation.

The back and forth flow of wonderful exchanges.

However, I’ve noticed that many people prefer the quiet of texting instead of the sounds of speech.

I’ve also noticed “new partners” at the table.

Unless you are expecting an IMPORTANT message or call, THERE IS NO REASON FOR YOUR CELL PHONE TO BE ON THE DINING TABLE!

Instinctively Spring – And lessons in reading the world

Feb 16, 2023Mar 4, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Forget the calendar. Seriously, it gives you a false sense of seasonal security. The calendar is an excellent tool for organizing your time, days, events, and years. However, I find it’s not an accurate tool for understanding the changing seasons.

The calendar states this year of 2023, in the northern hemisphere, spring will start on March 20 and end on June 21. In my world, spring begins in February. At this time, I can clearly state, on February 6, 2023, spring began in Montreal, Canada. Remember, this is in my world.

Waa Think I Love You

Feb 10, 2023Feb 10, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

 A Love Story for Valentine’s Day

 

Waaa Think I Love You

Yes, that was me, the David Cassidy singing gal skiing up and down tracks 2 and 6 with a smile on my face. But, I wasn’t alone. I was with so many other skiing enthusiasts, smiling and enjoying the gift of pristine fresh winter snow in February. It doesn’t get better than this. This is pure love!

Screw First Impressions

Feb 2, 2023Feb 2, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

I can’t tell how many times first impressions have misguided me. You’ve got to give it much more time to truly develop an impression about someone or something.

Many, many years ago I was a victim of a lousy first impression. In my later teens I was dating a hunky outdoorsman. Let’s call him Dude. He was one of those guys who did all his activities outdoors, like camping, hiking, skiing, kayaking, biking, and running. Perhaps calling him Stud, would be a better name.

Gotta Love Alice!

Deliciously Oblivious

Jan 20, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

It happens all the time and I’m completely unaware of it. I’m sitting, writing in my journal and it gently comes over me. I don’t even know how long it went on for. However I do know, I went into a meditative state and I feel more relaxed than when I started.

It’s not daydreaming. It’s more intense than that. I would title it a “Writer’s Meditation”.

Elevated what?

Dec 29, 2022Jan 15, 2023

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

 Have you ever been with a person who makes you feel great?  Do you know someone who inspires you to be a better person?   Someone who brings out the best in you and makes you want to try harder and do better.

People can elevate other people to be the best they can be.  Be inspired today!

To Menou with Love – A Love Story

Dec 21, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

One day, I got off the summer day-camp bus and found a Tabby cat gingerly walking around my lawn. I signaled to it and it suddenly came to me.  I named her Menou.  Although my mother didn’t like cats and told me not to feed her, I did.

Each day, I would jump off the afternoon bus and quickly run to give her tuna, water and lots of cuddles. This went on for weeks during the summer of 1971. On a very hot day, I got off the bus and I couldn’t find Menou. Surprisingly, she was on a blanket at my front door.  My mother told me she was in labor and was about to give birth! My 9 year old life suddenly changed.

Anti-Bucket List Gal

Dec 15, 2022Dec 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper, West Island News Blog.

And… Where did the term bucket list come from? Perhaps it originated from the 2007 Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman film “Bucket List” in which, two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. Perhaps the term originated before the film?

Regardless of the origin, the term “bucket list” a thing people like to complete within their life time.

I sort of break down the bucket list concept into much smaller parts. I woke up today and I’m just grateful for that. My bucket list is done!

A Beautiful Difference

Dec 1, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Many, many, many moons ago, I went to West Hill High School. My years were 1976 to 1980. The school was not a good fit for me. It was way too big. And…

The halls had a horrible sweaty human, bio-clinical iodine odor to it. I think the pool water was used to wash the halls. The only thing which kept me going back each day, were my friends. Actually, there was an excellent geography and art teacher, who inspired me.

BFF – Best Fun Foods

Nov 17, 2022Nov 18, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Am I the only one who used to eat gallons of Alphagetti simply to be able to spell out my name? Actually, I didn’t eat it at first. I would spell out words with the alphabet shaped noodles. I thought spelling swear words out of noodles was hilarious! And… What about Oreos?

Easy Wear’in

Nov 3, 2022Nov 4, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Once the jeans were on and the zipper was closed, I could barely breathe. That was the point. I knew, as the day went on, my jeans would soften and become much looser.

Such clothing restrictions and discomfort caused other related problems. The occasional visit to my dermatologist settled the flair ups. The Doctor’s suggestion: Wear looser clothing!

Ya, right! And give up that tight jean look and fit?

My Kind of Sexy

Oct 20, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

As a tween, an almost adolescent, I didn’t really understand what sexy was. All I knew was that Elvis Presley made me feel differently. For some reason, I wanted to kiss him and my eyes were glued to his body when he performed. Once I fully understood what sexy was, Elvis was gone, never to return. Left to seek out other sexy avenues I stumbled upon, David Cassidy, John Travolta, Tony Defranco, Davy Jones, and the super cute guy down my street.

Coloured Cauliflower

Oct 6, 2022Oct 7, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

One of our yearly autumn outings is to find COLOURED CAULIFLOWER.

You might be wondering if we are looking for a specific vegetable. Nope! Are we looking for a flower? Nope! We are in search of a spectacular and particular display of fall foliage.

Many conditions need to be in place for this to happen. Firstly, the leaves need to be at the height of their foliage coloration. The sun must be shining brightly with hardly any fallen leaves on the ground. It might take a few road trips, but we are hoping to capture it.

The Licorice of Life

Sep 21, 2022Sep 24, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper.

Friendships are the ‘ebb and flow’ of daily life. Friendships also go through changes as people’s lives experience many adjustments along the way.  Bending that licorice of life and going with the flow is needed to sustain beautiful friendships and families.

The Ultimate Lesson

Sep 13, 2022Sep 16, 2022

by Suzanne Reisler Litwin

In The Suburban Newspaper, West Island News Blog.

The Fall Courses are about to begin and I have butterflies in my stomach!

In truth, if all we have gained is not from the curriculum content but a new friendship or two, I feel we have been successful. For it’s not always the prescribed lessons you’ve sign up for, perhaps it’s the rich exchanges and life perspectives you have learned. That in turn is…the ultimate lesson.