Delightful Door County -- Prime Life Times

"Delightful Door County"

is my latest published article (cover story) in the

December, 2023 PRINT edition of

Prime Life Times.

I welcome your comments.

Plant-based diet -- News Gazette

"Why some people choose a plant-based diet" 

is my latest published article in the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette,

www.news-gazette.com

Sunday November 19, 2023

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments. 

Closet skeletons in sepia -- News-Gazette

 "Closet Skeletons in Sepia"

is my latest published article in

The Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Sunday October 1, 2023

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments.

No Place Like Niagara Falls -- Prime Life Times

 "There's no place like Niagara Falls"

is my latest published article in

October, 2023 PRINT ONLY

Prime Life Times.

Cover article!

I welcome your comments.

Meet me in St. Louis -- Prime Life Times

 "Meet me in St. Louis"

is my latest published article, 

cover article in the print only

August 2023

Prime Life Times.

I welcome your comments.

Minding my own busyness -- News-Gazette

 "Minding my own busyness"

is my latest published article in the

print and online

Sunday July 23, 2023, Voices Guest Commentary

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.

I welcome your comments.

Sensational Springfield -- Prime Life Times

 "Sensational Springfield"

is my latest published article in the

July 2023 PRINT edition

cover article on page 1

Prime Life Times.

I welcome your comments.

They serve and protect -- News Gazette

 'They serve and protect"

is my latest published article in 

the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Sunday Voices Guest Commentary

June 18, 2023.

I welcome your comments

If I ruled the word -- News-Gazette

 "If I ruled the word"

is my latest published article in 

The Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Sunday May 28, 2023

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments.

Amazing Arkansas -- Prime Life Times

 "Amazing Arkansas"

is my latest published article in

JUNE 2023 PRINT edition, page A-8 of

Prime Life Times.

I welcome your comments.

Distant Doctors -- Prime Life Times

 "Destination: Distant Doctors for your Disorder"

is my latest published article in the

May 2023 print only edition of

Prime Life Times.

I welcome your comments.

Postcard from Anywhere -- News-Gazette

 "Postcard from Anywhere USA" is my

latest published article in the

Champaign-Urbana News Gazette,

www.news-gazette.com

Sunday April 9, 2023

Commentary Sunday Voices.

I welcome your comments.

Robotastic Sleep Mode by Sari Karplus

 The new Robotastic book, (number 3) by acclaimed children's author Sari Karplus is now available for purchase on amazon.com and other vendors.  Check it out! 

Greetings from Vermont -- Prime Life Times

 "Greetings from Vermont" 

is my latest published article in the

March 2023 PRINT edition of

Prime Life Times, 

the cover story on page A-1.

I welcome your comments.

When life gives you lemons, make applesauce -- News-Gazette

 "When life gives you lemons, make applesauce" 

is my latest published article in the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

print and online

Guest Commentary Voices

Sunday February 19, 20923.

I welcome your comments.

Teaching Genealogy to Kids

 

Teaching Genealogy to Kids

By Debra L. Karplus

For several years, I had the privilege of being asked to teach a Sunday school class to groups of about half a dozen middle school preteens.  I had a tremendous amount of fun and satisfaction getting to know these highly motivated delightful youngsters and sharing my passion for genealogy with them.

The first of the five weekly one hour classes was introductory; though most of the students knew each other, I didn’t know them, and I asked them to share why they chose to be in the class and what they hoped to learn.  The responses were mixed.  Class two was about interviewing techniques with living relatives and writing family stories.  In the third class, we discussed and displayed different types of genealogy charts, pedigree, ancestor, family group, and so on.  On week four, we learned about online resources.  The last class was a wrap up of the first four and unanswered questions were addressed.

I received very positive comments on my class, and to the best of my knowledge, nothing negative. 

But personally, though admittedly my standards are often higher than is reasonable, I felt disappointed in how I taught this class.  Essentially, I made the mistake of bringing computers into the class on the second of the five weeks.  Preteen kids tend to be electronics “junkies”.  The kids were more inclined to “play” instead of do any real research. 

And truly, most of my students missed the mark on how databases are to be used for genealogical research.  One child sitting at the computer raised his hand and asked me “why can’t I find my dad on the database, I want to learn more about him”.  I impatiently snapped at him “your Dad is sitting a few feet away in the lobby, don’t research him, ASK him”. 

I emphasized with the class that now is the time to get stories from their living relatives, particularly their older ones, and many happily still had at least a few living great grandparents.  The genealogy databases are useful for researching data about family members that are no longer around.

As most teachers will tell you, like the students, I learned so much from my experience teaching genealogy to young people.  If asked, I would teach a class like this again, and it would be even better!

 

Your resume

 

Is it time to resume resume writing?

By Debra L. Karplus

Recently, I shocked friends and family when I told them I’d just applied for a job.  I won’t share too much about it right now, as it may not materialize, but don’t be surprised if you come to your favorite spot and I’m welcoming you.  And, no, I am not an aspiring Walmart greeter!  But it might be nice to round out how I spend my time, so part-time employment could be satisfying.

The job application had an option to attach a resume.  As a long time retiree, I’ve not applied for a job in decades.  The last time I updated my resume, might have been 15 or more years ago; it looked stellar. I was even one of the speakers at my national therapy association annual conference, c. 2006.  Since then, I’ve let my Illinois therapist license go inactive status, and much of my time is spent in frivolous pursuits.  If we are what we do, then I may indeed be in a bit of trouble.

Looking online, it seems resume writing today is a lot easier than it used to be.  These days, you can just plug in a bunch of info about yourself after selecting an appropriate online template, and the computer does all the work for you. 

From what I could tell, resumes provide the same information to potential employers as they always did.  Work experience generally is listed first.  In these past few years most of my work, such as tutoring at a local elementary school, has been volunteer.  Even my writing, for this and several online and print publications has mostly been on a volunteer basis, as I’m typically unpaid, though passionate about writing.

Education usually comes next.  Wow, what would I list?  Since 2014, I ‘ve taken numerous engaging classes through OLLI, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Illinois, I took some pickle ball lessons at the Savoy Recreation Center from Lexi a few years back, duplicate bridge lessons through Parkland College Community Education, and horseback riding from Meg in Tolono in the summer of 2020.  Wouldn’t that look impressive on my resume?

Many resumes have a section on memberships.  I’ve let all occupational therapy memberships lapse, national and state.  But now I’m a member of numerous local and out of town gyms, thanks to my Medicare supplement plan benefits.  Additionally, I’m a member of Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program as well as several frequent flyer programs, American Airlines, for example.  Being a member of some religious organizations and of The Illinois Club is great for enhancing my social life and would impress someone looking to hire me.  Right?  I’m also very proud to serve on the Champaign-Urbana Chevra Kadisha committee. Curious?  Do an online search to learn more!

Perhaps most notable is my membership in the National Mah Jongg League, Inc., in good standing, I might add.  I bought my Maj card for $9 and with that purchase came the membership.  I certainly have a diverse set of interests that would make me super marketable in today’s work-a-day world. But, I’m not a member of any homeowner’s association; I hope that doesn’t jeopardize my chances of getting a minimum wage job here in town.

Some resume temples ask you to provide information about hobbies.  That’s an interesting thing.  Taking care of a townhouse seems somewhat of a hobby.  Spending most summer days, rain or shine, at Indian Acres Swim Club would imply that swimming is a serious hobby for me.  But if I want to be completely honest, I must admit, that many days I’m so busy gabbing with people, anyone willing to listen to me really, that I forget to get into the pool.  I might need to have total disclosure with any potential employer for fear of possibly misrepresenting myself thus being subject to unexpected libel suit!

If my job application, sans resume, lands me a job interview, I hope I am not asked “what are your long term goals” or “where to you want to be in 5 years”; I might not give it enough thought and would respond that at I would hope to be walking and talking or at least breathing.  A 20 year old human resources person might not understand that in a face-to-face interview wearing masks and/or sitting six feet apart, or if we “met” on Zoom.

At social gatherings we are often asked “what do you do”.  I want to believe that I am much more than the activities that fill my calendar.

 

 

 

What's up with shopping? -- News-Gazette

 "What's up with all the shopping?"

is my latest published article in the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

Sunday Guest Commentary Voices

January 29, 2023.

I welcome your comments.

What's in your shopping cart?

 

What’s in your shopping cart?

By Debra L. Karplus

I like to believe that I’m neither judgmental nor nosy, but when I’m out shopping, I can be a real snoop.  I’m referring to going into a brick and mortar store with real metal or plastic shopping carts to get groceries or things for the house, not online shopping with a virtual checkout and cart.  Since I’m not or rounding up young candy-craving children or checking my cell phone,  I have much opportunity to study what’s in other people’s shopping carts as I stand in the line and try to guess what their lives might be like based on what they’re purchasing.

Though admittedly, not a particularly patient person, retired, I’m rarely in a hurry, so it’s no inconvenience to wait in the longer slower line, which  happens nearly 100% of the time, and peruse contents of shopping carts of strangers.  At least one local supermarket, which shall remain nameless, has only one line which filters into several registers.  I’m in supermarket heaven while shopping there!

Recently, I spotted someone I knew while at the pharmacy.  I don’t think I’ve ever needed a cart at CVS or Walgreens.  But, in her cart were adult diapers.  She didn’t seem embarrassed, but I certainly was.  I could barely make eye contact. 

A male friend of mine told me he shopped with his foster daughter for feminine hygiene products.  Well, that’s just darn weird, in my opinion.

Typically, even before the pandemic and early morning senior hours, I shop in the morning.  Being a morning person, I find fewer crowds, thus I can shop relatively quickly, especially if it’s a store where I shop often and know where items are; I maintain a master list for weekly groceries and know the layout of the store.  The early morning shoppers seem speedy also.  When I see a customer with a cart filled with yummy treats, donuts, for example, I assume they’re en route to their job and are bringing the goodies.  I wonder where they work and what their job is.

Often, a shopper will have a cart filled with alcohol and party foods.  Though not, much of a drinker, I’m still curious about what sort of party they might be hosting, though rarely do I ask.

The dinner hour grocery shoppers, (and there are many), and usually waiting in long lines at checkout, are coming after work, I suspect, and trying to throw together some ideas for tonight’s dinner.  I try to avoid food shopping between the hours of four and six.

When I see someone, especially a shopper with children, pushing a cart filled with what I consider to be junk food, I have to exercise utmost discipline not to scold them about the evils of poor eating, though I myself may have been spotted with a bucket of ice cream, or an occasional indiscretion with a box of Hostess Snowbells in my cart, though I try to conceal it by strategically placing my large bag of oranges, salad greens, avocadoes or red potatoes over the top.

I also keep quiet when I see a cart with healthy foods.  Though, when shopping at Common Ground, I see so many interesting and different foods and beverages, that sometimes I occasionally do ask the shopper, because I’m open to trying new and healthy foods.

I’ve often shopped at Walmart where I have been in checkout behind someone with a very full cart of items such as many gallons of milks and some snack items individually wrapped like fruit chews or chips.  I deduce that they’re shopping for a day care.

I’m a different person when shopping at the big box home improvement store, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Menards.  Since I love to tinker at home on small tasks, I’m always really intrigued when I see unfamiliar hardware in someone’s cart, especially those really big flat carts.  And, yes, I find myself asking “what project is that for?”  For me, these stores are an educational experience and plant the seed for some ambitious projects I may someday tackle, or maybe not.

Speaking of planting seeds, I find shopping at farm stores, Farm and Fleet and Rural King to be a great adventure.  I am and always have been a city girl, so it’s a whole other world to saunter through the aisles of these places.

So, confess, now’s your time to come clean.  When you’re out and about, don’t you shop with at least a thread of curiosity about the contents of people’ shopping carts?

Here's something to chew on -- Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

 "Here's something to chew on"

is my latest published article in the

Saturday December 31, 2022

online & print edition of

Voices Guest Commentary

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.

I welcome your comments.

www.news-gazette.com.

Destination Delightful Denver -- Prime Life Times

 "Destination Delightful Denver" 

is my latest published article 

in the January 2023 PRINT edition of

Prime Life Times 

on page A-12.

I welcome your comments.

Things that defy logic

I’m puzzled by things that defy logic

By Debra L. Karplus

The world makes increasingly less sense to me all the time.  Being an incredibly logical person, I really struggle to find explanations and order.  Fortunately my inner peace isn’t dependent on that need, or I’d be an even more restless person than I’m already wired to be.

Living in a house built in 1907 near downtown Champaign, I had no concerns about using a dishwasher, because the house didn’t have one.  For the 38 years we lived there, soapy water, scrub pads and our working hands took care of all things dirty, and amazingly nobody got sick from any type of bacterial malady.

Since 2016, now in suburban southwest Champaign in a townhouse built c. 2002, we have a dishwasher.  I swore I’d never need to use it.  Even if guests would come for a meal, we’d clean up after dinner, the old fashioned way, and chat as we dried dishes together using a towel.

Researching an article for The Dollar Stretcher, a consumer-oriented online and print publication, I was startled by something that defied logic.  My article was about dishwashers and making then last longer.  What I discovered was that, unlike most anything we purchase, dishwashers actually last longer if we use them rather than not use them; otherwise the rubber door gaskets on them dry out and need replacing.  This was shocking to me.  After all, car tires last longer if you drive fewer miles.  Clothing lasts longer if you don’t wear it.

What a conundrum!

I generally take good care of my belongings; this dishwasher would be no exception.  So I decided I would try to remember to use the dishwasher approximately once a week, to make it last longer.  I don’t leave the house with appliances running, except of course the refrigerator and sump pump, so I have to allocate 1 ½ hours of being home for this weekly ritual.

Though my daughter’s family of 5 could probably run their dishwasher more than once daily, I’m challenged to find enough to fill mine up even weekly.  So I’ve become creative in what things I find while scurrying around the house that might need the supersonic sanitizing of a dishwasher.

My plastic blender, truly my best friend in the kitchen, reads “dishwasher safe”.  I took that literally.  But when it came out of the dishwasher and the lid no longer fit on it, I discovered why.  The blender had melted into a new position and took on a more oval shape.  So much for dishwasher safe!  My dishwasher is somewhat of a “frenemy”.  That’s a real word; look it up! I now own a new plastic blender that I enjoy washing by hand and that’s just fine.  And yes, it’s still my best kitchen friend.

The plastic dish drainer sitting beside my sink holds dishes that are easily rinsed and reused is great to wash in the dishwasher to keep it bacteria-free; it takes up a lot of space on the top dishwasher rack.

My red plastic scrub pad gets nice and clean in the dishwasher, as do toothbrushes, and combs and brushes.  Remember to be diligent about removing all hair first!

I noticed my metal HVAC vents look like they might need a bit of TLC.  I tried one in the dishwasher, and voila, it looks new and shiny again, so I have been washing the others as they fit alongside various things I find around the house to toss into the dishwasher to keep it lasting longer.

I thought about washing my pool flip flops in there, but frankly I’m a bit nervous about that.  They cost only $1, actually now $1.25 at the Dollar Tree store, but I’m worried that they’ll disintegrate inside the dishwasher and I’ll have tiny bits of rubber to clean out, so I’m reluctant.  A dilemma indeed.

***

Bikes, helmets, masks, cigarettes.  I have seen various combinations of these that truly baffle me.  I am a member of the local cycle club as are many of my friends, and I enjoy biking.  But non-bike club folks who bike wearing masks, but not helmets?  What’s up with that!  Smoking while biking, that confuses me too.  And people (not on a bike) slipping their mask down to their chin to have a smoke?  Well, that has me clueless.

I’m an astute observer and if I think about it, I’ll come up with some other observations that make little sense to me.  In the meantime, I’m hoping readers might add to my list.