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A Clear Day, A Clear Mind, A Clear Purpose
Waking up to sunshine, melting snow, and temperatures warmer than expected brought an unexpected lift to my morning. It reminded me of something David McNally shared on How to SuperAge (https://youtu.be/UByP_9KShfY): finding one positive thought each day, no matter our circumstances, can shift us toward a happier, more content, more purposeful life.
I’ve lived by this philosophy for years. It keeps me grounded in what I can control—my thoughts. And when those thoughts become clouded by physical or emotional challenges, reaching for help is not weakness; it’s a choice toward clarity. I believe deeply in choosing the supports that help us see more clearly.
There’s a line from a familiar song that has always stayed with me: “On a clear day you can see forever…” That clarity—literal and emotional—is the foundation of purposeful living. Sometimes we just need someone to help us see what’s already right in front of us. A guide. A coach. A compassionate voice reminding us that perspective is powerful.
It has taken me many years to understand why holidays and special occasions have often felt heavy. Expectations—those storybook images we carry—set me up for disappointment when reality didn’t match the script. As a child, I was known as a crier, and disappointment only amplified the tears.
With age and a bit of earned wisdom, I’ve learned to soften those expectations and stay present. It’s not always easy, but it’s liberating.
This holiday season was gentle. Lighting the Chanukah candles brought me back to childhood—my dad reciting blessings, all of us singing “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.” Christmas was quiet and heartfelt, just time with my husband and simple connections with family through calls, texts, and social media. New Year’s didn’t need champagne or fanfare; preparing food for my husband and son and acknowledging the close of 2025 and the start of 2026 felt meaningful enough.
Now we return to “normal”—whatever that means. My work through podcasting, coaching, and blogging continues to give me purpose. But normal also includes guiding my older brother through his health challenges from more than a thousand miles away. It’s not simple, and it’s certainly not something any of us are trained for.
And I know I’m not alone. So many of you are supporting aging parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children. Often we learn as we go, and by the time we find one answer, three new questions appear. The system is complicated, and the emotional weight is real.
I’ve always said I was lucky with my parents and brothers. Our bond has been strong, loving, and full of passionate care. But that same level of care should come from our medical teams and our communities—and too often, it doesn’t.
Maybe that’s the path opening for me in 2026. A new avenue. A new purpose. A clearer day ahead.
Where the Music Dies – Stories of Joel Moss May 11, 1946 to September 15, 2025
🎙️ I’m honored to announce the launch of our newest podcast, Where the Music Never Dies: Stories of Joel Moss, premiering tomorrow.
This series is a labor of love—created to celebrate the life, creativity, and spirit of my big brother, Joelie. Each episode will feature friends, colleagues, and collaborators sharing personal stories and reflections that capture the essence of who he was and the impact he made.
If you’re seeing this for the first time and have a story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to me at newclevelandradio@gmail.com.
We’ll continue these conversations beyond the Celebration of Life, which will be held on October 14th at Caffè Lena. Joel’s music may have paused, but his legacy plays on—in every memory, every laugh, and every note.
Let’s come together in the spirit of love…Karen Kiki
More Than a Blog- It’s 39 Years of Marriage
Yesterday, July 15, 2023
Richard and I celebrated 39 years of marriage, but we’ve been together 41 years – as they say “Oy Vay!” Rich and I are not much on celebrations. In fact, in the early years, just as we are now, we were both working to make ends meet. Sometimes we drive up to Detroit to see my family for a free dinner out, and other times it was my dear mother-in-law who always made sure we did something special. That meant not going to McDonalds, but maybe to Pizza Hut for an all you can eat buffet. (Do they still have that?)
Once Alex was born our celebration included him and we went out to entertain him more than ourselves.
This year was different. For the first time in 32 years, we were alone for our anniversary. Alex is working and living in Fort Worth and circumstances did not provide him with the opportunity to come home. Steve was just here for Mother’s Day and truly he should be on vacation (he works too hard.) However, last night we were joined for dinner with new friends Kristi & Rob (who are now our new family). I met Kristi a year ago through an online group and despite our age differences and backgrounds growing up I know we are kindred spirits. Dinner was fun as they got Rich to share stories on how we met (Thank you Iris, Lanny & Helene), how he proposed (a long story, anyone for a McDonald’s), and much more including his life before we met…
Kristi picked up on something I posted yesterday that it was our anniversary (not the original reason for going out), and gave us the sweetest loving card, but also had a piece of chocolate Oreo cake brought to the table with a candle. The dinner and evening were wonderful, and it was simple. (Kristi and Rob, we must do this again, before next year!!!)
I know for some birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated for days and I hear some celebrate the whole month. We have never been like that, nor do I think we ever will be. The reality is we love each other as well as like each other and spending our lives together is a celebration. This year I missed so many of the people who were part of our celebration on July 15, 2024, including our parents who became friends and family over the years. My in-laws and my mom and dad enjoyed the company of each other, and they would get together when they were both in Florida and when my parents came to visit us.
Sadly, in addition to our parents no longer being with us, we have experienced the loss of friends, and other relatives who made our day a true MITZVAH. On that day I never thought we would experience the losses we have in 39 years. Naïve as I was, I thought our parents would be with us year after year to continue to acknowledge the longevity of our marriage.
When we announced, we were getting married we had friends who swore we would never last. Well to those who thought it or said it out loud, “Looks like we made it” despite the Manilow lyrics – we did not leave each other to find another. In fact, our gift to each other was a renewal for yet another year. We are on to 40!
Left Alex in Texas – healing on his own
I’ve been home about 36 hours and I am trying to catch up. Leaving Alex yesterday was not easy, we both agreed the time I spent with him was needed, and not just for his recuperation from surgery. Although I am his mother, being in his home made me take a step back. I did help him get organized something he’s been trying to do since he moved in December, but with work, Christmas break, and returning after the holidays ill, he just never got his things in order.
I respected his need for privacy, and he respected my efforts to keep him comfortable and on the road to wellness. Knowing that he still has a few weeks before he will be feeling more normal, I had to return home and leave him to sail his ship.
Sometimes as parents we tend to jump in and do the work for our kids and then one day, they have a problem, and they don’t know how to handle it. However, Alex has been observing us all these years and he is navigating his ship, steering away from the ice burgs. As a mom observing her child who is a young adult live on his own and prosper is a warm feeling of well done!
I think my fatigue is catching up with me and a good night’s sleep is needed. Tonight, when I lay my head on my pillow I know my sweet dreams will include both of my sons and my husband who are very special to me.
Good night, Rich…
Good night, Steve
Good night, Alex
“you are my sunshine…”
Doctor Mom can fix everything
A week ago, last night my son, Alex, called me crying in pain. Just thirty minutes earlier he and I were kibitzing on the phone. Initially he was incoherent, and I had to just listen and soothingly ask him to slow down. He described his pain that suddenly hit him as the worst GAS pain he ever had. I tried using my coaching skills to help him through this. Unfortunately, he had nothing at home to take for GAS pain!
I suggested he call EMS. I may be “doctor-mom” at home, but I’m not a doctor. He suffered for 12 hours before he called EMS. Once in the ER they aggressively attempted to identify the pain source and quickly ruled out any heart issues despite the pain across his chest. However, the ultrasound pointed to his gallbladder, and yet they continued to run tests to confirm it was gallbladder, and they finally gave him morphine to mask the pain. The surgeon came in around 6 pm (21 hours after this pain started) and discussed removing his gallbladder.
My husband and I searched for airline tickets to take us from Cleveland to Dallas so we could be there with Alex. Leaving Cleveland at 7 am we got to Dallas by 10:30 and went directly to the hospital to find Alex waiting for surgery. They finally took him into surgery at 1:30 pm, and the plan was to do a robotic gall bladder removal that would be less invasive. However, the doctor found his gallbladder to be 2 to 3 times its size filled with stones, the gallbladder was ripe to burst and if it had it could have been fatal! So, a one-hour procedure turned into 3 hours.
Alex’s dad left for home on Tuesday morning, and I am here in Fort Worth until Sunday morning. Each day he shows signs of healing and taking less pain medication as well.
I’ve had this great opportunity to spend time with my son in his home which has limited furnishings which has tested my ability to get comfortable on an air bed and sitting on a patio type chair. But all is good, and I enjoy his company when he is not sleeping, tweeting, or playing a video game.
Today we took a UBER to his office so he could organize his arrangements to work from home for at least the next week. At his office today not one person, but everyone I met shared their love for Alex. Until today, the staff only knew he was sick but would be OK, his boss and HR knew the extent of it. So, as he shared his story of what has transpired in the last week, they were all so glad to know he really would be OK, and pleased to see that I was around to help him through this week.
When Alex left our home in December to drive the 1000 miles to Texas I cried like a baby, and thought my heart was broken forever. However, as any parent knows when your child leaves to follow their dreams, time will prove that your heart will heal. My heart began the healing process with each phone call hearing his voice and sharing his experiences.
However, the night of Wednesday, April 5th brought me the emotional pain Alex was suffering physically. Although I insisted, he call EMS he was choosing to suffer rather than go to the hospital and as he said, spend money… All I could 1000 miles away was attempt to comfort him as he asked me to stay on the phone with him, hoping the pain would subside. Tonight, I feel such relief that my son is healing and prospering. He is where he should be, creating his career path and living life on his own. Now I realize his father and I taught him well, and I am proud of the man he is, even without a gallbladder!
It is 5782
6 September 2021 The Jewish new year is not celebrated, it is observed. Depending on what sect of Judaism you practice you may observe for one day or maybe two. “Since the time of the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the time of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, normative Jewish law appears to be that Rosh Hashanah is to be celebrated for two days, because of the difficulty of determining the date of the new moon.” The Jewish practice is the day/holiday that begins at sunset and ends at sunset, Reform Jews typically observe for one day – that would mean beginning tonight at Sundown until tomorrow night at Sundown.
Many of us, especially those of us living in the U.S., are more cultural in our heritage than religious. I was raised in a conservative home – “Conservative Judaism, religious movement that seeks to conserve essential elements of traditional Judaism but allows for the modernization of religious practices in a less radical sense than that espoused by Reform Judaism.” My parents were not religiously observant however when it came to the High Holidays they were a bit more pious.
I have chosen Reform Judaism because it has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving tradition while embracing diversity. The Reform movement offers me a hint of the tradition I grew up with and yet allows me to live my life and observe in a manner that has meaning to me. Tomorrow morning I will be attending Rosh Hashannah services virtually. I have chosen to remain at home and observe in this manner as I am still not comfortable being in a large gathering, so I will offer up my prayers in front of a computer screen.
Religion, as well as traditional acts, are not important to everyone and I accept that we can choose to believe and pray to whomever. I share my love and kindness with all of you and ask that you find it in your hearts to accept others whether they believe in the same things you do. We need not clone ourselves – but we must be ourselves – authentic.
MY VOICE and I WILL CONTINUE TO USE IT
Three weeks and one day is the last day you can make a difference and VOTE Blue! I am asking you if you have not voted yet, and if you haven’t requested an absentee ballot to consider early voting, call your local board of elections and get the information you need to make a change.
We have lived with Trump for 4 years and he made promises and he could have followed through on them but he spent so much time talking about his PLAN but never offered US the American people what that entailed. He gave us a tax break and took it back the following year when we paid our taxes, yet he has not paid his taxes!
Talk does not take care of the American People, you and me. Talk, discussion, weighing options, and listening to what the average Joe needs is what our President and the House of Representatives and the Senate should be responding to. Trump created such commotion in building a wall that is now crumbling and falling! What a waste of money that could have been on Health Care and or Job Creation.
Trump walked into the Oval Office with a strong economy, he made the economy worse for the average Joe but kept his cronies gaining wealth that was not shared! JOBs, let me tell you that the JOB market even before the Pandemic was meek. If you or someone you know what looking to garner a job (not even career) to put food on the table and roof over your head it was not easy, why do you think so many of us are working multiple jobs with no benefits, including sick days.
If Trump didn’t make the promised changes he eluded to over the last four years why do you think the next four years will be any better. Get a grip Trump and his cronies do not care about US. If Trump cared about you, and your well being he would, he would have listened to the scientists.doctors and would have shared REAL Information with us from the get-go. He has not taken the precautions that he needed to take and he continues to go out in public without a mask and not socially distancing, well making ‘fun’ of those of us who are trying to reduce this Pandemic!
I won’t even discuss his need to outbalance the Supreme Court and yet says he must do this because the Dems will do it if they win. The American People 52% to 44% believe the Supreme Court decision should not be made until after the Election. Why is he in such a hurry, have you caught on to his garbage yet?
Check this out and see the Republicans backing Biden https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/18/politics/republicans-supporting-biden/index.html
Also – “The last living former Republican president, George W. Bush, has said he won’t back Trump. Nor will his brother Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida who was mercilessly ridiculed by Trump when they fought for the GOP nomination in 2016.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/09/27/all-the-republicans-who-have-endorsed-joe-biden-for-president/#3bc762557340
Consider the facts, Trump wants to cut or eliminate SS – if you are a senior or if you are approaching age 65 or know someone – do they have enough money to survive even one year on SS? What if they were to have less or none? Are you going to support mom and dad, your grandparents, or your neighbor next door?
Biden and Harris have a plan https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoodman/2020/09/28/the-bidenharris-economic-plan/#28cb2dcc73ce
Yes, Biden will raise taxes for those that can afford it- if they earn 400,000.00 dollars or more a year. If you earn less like many of us – guess what our taxes will NOT INCREASE. Taxes are necessary without them infrastructure cannot be maintained or improved.
Make a plan now – VOTE Blue – If you have an absentee ballot if possible take it directly to your board of elections, I am taking mine to Summit County here in Ohio today. My son, husband, and I have completed our absentee ballots and I will take them all sealed to the DropBox, and I will track them to ensure they were received and ready for counting. If you cannot deliver them personally mail them and track them. If you can get someone to drive you to your Board of Elections – not your precinct, accept the ride to place it in the dropbox!
Please note – if you do not want Trump – a vote for anyone but Biden supports TRUMP – help bring the United States back in line with the needs of the Average Citizen – do not be bullied!
there’s never enough time in the day Kristi Horner
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L’shanah Tova with Love
9/13/20
SUNDAY
We are preparing to celebrate using new virtual methods, Rosh Hashannah. The other day I read a Facebook message and someone from my generation (growing up in the 50s and 60s,) asked how many of us remember getting new Fall Outfits for Yom Tov? Often they were wool or something very warm despite the temperatures that may influence something less, but it was September/October and we must be dressed appropriately for the Jewish New Year. I remember one year my mother sewed me a black & white hounds-tooth wools suit and I got this corduroy black corduroy hat that today has the 60s written all over it.
Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur were traditionally spent in shul, while my parents sat in the synagogue with all the other parents and grandparents, the three of us went to youth services and met up with our parents when their services ended. It was a solemn day of reflection and it also was a time to show off your best and make your parents proud.
After services on Rosh Hashannah, we would either walk home with friends or pack into my dad’s car for the short 5-minute drive home. Once home, the men in the family took off their jackets and loosened their ties, but we all remain in holiday finery. I would help my mother serve the traditional foods like homemade chicken soup with noodle kugel, and course after course I would jump up to assist. Momma made a tzimmis (a carrot, honey, prune sweet side-dish), sweet and sour 
meatballs, a sweet kugel with raisins, brisket, and or a roasted chicken (and sometimes we would go to the Shechitah days before to pick out our live chicken and watch the Rabbi, kill it, bless it, and make it kosher.) Can You Say Tradition?
That was Rosh Hashannah and ten days later for Yom Kipur again we would have our traditional meal before attending Kol Nidre Services. Much was the same as the week before, but in our home, my mother added Kreplach to the meal (a Jewish Ravioli.) After filling ourselves up to the gills with food, we began our 24 hour fast for the Day of Atonement. And just like Rosh Hashannah, my parents sat in the main chapel while my brothers and I went to youth services.
I miss those days – those were the days when my paternal grandparents attended our Shul and they were part of our inner circle, and years before my mother’s parents would join us for the break the fast 24 hours later. Again, break the fast was centered around food, fresh bagels, and rolls with condiments including LOX, also my mother baked Mandel Bread, Chocolate Chip Cookies, a yeast coffee cake. Food brought us together after a day of repenting.
Many of those traditions faded for me when I got married and moved away. It took me over 36 years to find a Temple where I feel accepted. However, this year I will not be able to sit in the sanctuary with my new family of Temple Friends I will be sharing in a zoom service like so many of us due to COVID. However, I hope and pray next year we can feel safe in coming together as one, and as we say at the end of the Yom Kippur service, “Next Year in Jerusalem,” May we say next year in our Temple/Shul.
2020 or 5780 has not been the best year of my life, nor the worst. However, I pray that 5781 will bring new peace to OUR LIVES so we may live in harmony. Even those of us who sing off Key should be appreciated for the value we bring to this world. We must make this year the first step to doing this and making it an everlasting journey for those that follow.
I ushered in 5780 last year with my Temple Israel Akron family. Sadly, too soon after that COVID crept into our lives and turned things upside down. However, if I have learned nothing else as I turned 70 in March, I am responsible for my feelings that can contribute to my happiness or sadness, and I have chosen Happiness! I have spent the last year reaching out and making new friends and relationships. I have continued to follow my dreams with newcleveleandradio.net. I have been a support system for my family encouraging them to follow their dreams and not settle because someone has told them to. I will go into the new yeat 5781 with new hopes and dreams and I will take the steps forward because that is what life is all about.
To all who may be reading this whether you observe the Jewish Holiday or not, know that I believe in you and all the good you too will put forth in the days to come.
L’Shanah Tova!
Love, Karen KIKI
49 Years ago Today
Forty-nine years ago, I said I do for the first time. On that Sunday afternoon, I honestly thought this was a forever marriage – although as I waited behind closed doors to walk down the aisle, I had second thoughts “it was too late” to change my mind. I was more concerned about what my parents would say and how I could explain this to anyone, even myself. So, I walked down the aisle, sobbing on my father’s arm as my future husband was waiting for me with his parents.
In Yiddish, if this is your destiny, it is said to be, beshert. Sadly, this marriage was not meant to last. We went into it caring for each other and trying to please our parents by finding a Jewish Mate. His parents never liked me, and my parents never felt a connection with him.
However, if not for that day in 1971, we would not share our son, and Steve is the icing on the cake.
We eventually found our soulmates, and despite the early years of anxiety and tension between us, we moved on, putting the past behind us and enjoying the lives we detoured and created. We both celebrated 36 years of marriage to our soulmates this year.
The reason I am sharing this story today is to let you know that even when we think we are on the right road, it is possible to take several turns that will lead you in a new direction.
The direction you choose to take may create changes for others in your path and but it should be by personal choice to live our best lives. Too often, we try to please others, hoping that it will reflect on us, creating an aurora of happiness. However, making someone happy does not always make you happy, it may happen in love songs and movies, but it does not always relate to real life!
Forty-nine years ago, today, I had no idea what my future looked like. I knew I was saying “I Do,” but I was too young and naive to understand what that would mean as time moved forward. However, today with hindsight, I can look at the years that have passed and know that I am where I should be today. I have matured in becoming an authentic version of myself.
D5 Creation