by Marlene Bumgarner | Nov 16, 2015 | Aging, Community, Family, Grandparenting, Health
Hearing Congressman Sam Farr say that at 75 he’s decided to retire and become the full time caregiver for his grandchildren made me wonder just how meaningful he will find that after a few years. I’ve been retired now for three years, and I have discovered that...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Nov 9, 2015 | Community, England, Family, Grandparenting
“Grandma, tell me something sad from when you were a little girl.” Four (“and a half”) year old Bean is sitting behind me in the car, eating her snack and looking at the ocean beside the highway. I made a decision when I began driving her...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Nov 2, 2015 | Family, Good Reads, Grandparenting, Health, Nature
Last week I introduced Richard Louv’s concept of nature deficit disorder, and his theory that helping children develop a connection with nature may prevent a variety of health and behavioral issues Ever since, I’ve been thinking about those three butterfly...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Oct 26, 2015 | Family, Grandparenting, Health
Monarch Butterflies Return to the California Coast Those of you who are regular readers know that I often walk along the Santa Cruz coast road and in Lighthouse Field State Park with my dog, Kismet. October marks the return of the Monarch Butterflies to the...
by Marlene Bumgarner | Oct 19, 2015 | Aging, Community, Family
What I’m Reading This Week I’ve been thinking about the role of grandparents in our 21st century society, and this book was recommended to me as one which proposes some actions that “America’s Most Audacious Generation” might take to lead...