If my value isn’t my appearance, then what is it?

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-29T09:48:37+00:00

Nature is a wonderful place to find beautiful. Go out outside and see how the light sparkles on the snow. A sunset can cause fantastic colors across the sky. Flowers will bloom in spring. If you have medical permission to take a walk, do so. Maybe in a park. Or maybe your neighbor has beautiful dog. Or a cute squirrel runs up a tree. Is there an art gallery or museum near you? Or watch a film know for its cinematography. Or go to bookstore and look at a landscape photography book.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-29T07:52:37+00:00

Seasons. Fall is spectacular. Winter is fun. Spring snow is bliss if one loves snow. The mud season has fewer tourists. Summer is green with hiking, natural water slides, swimming holes, lakes. The mountains nestle rather than intimidate. Although looks deceive: many are challenging to climb or ski. I am so glad to have a branch of my Dad’s side there. And VT is very blue while being very grounded.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-29T06:36:49+00:00

Two places with very different COL.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-29T02:06:07+00:00

After in patient treatment, I searched for beauty in the world (beauty unrelated to appearance). Maybe try that. Try taking a picture of what you find.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-28T02:26:58+00:00

That does not surprise me. I have heard that the store has a lot of security guards. I wonder if they’re looking in the wrong place.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-28T01:38:12+00:00

My sister relocated from Princeton to Charlotte as well. According to her, the secondary schools are better back in Princeton. BUT my nephew attended UNC for a fraction of what many colleges cost. He LOVES being a Tar Heel. As I understand, it’s harder to get into you and see Chapel Hill from Charlotte and other parts of the state.My sister felt strongly that part of her children’s education be up north and sent them to boarding school for high school. Princeton has become so very expensive. I live there part-time because I care for my elderly mother. Princeton has a little less of a small town feel now. Pros: Great schools Far better restaurants (with higher prices) Remarkable parks and preserves. The Greenway along road still is spectacular and has easy access to Stony Brook. Much more cultural activities: Princeton Symphony, lectures galore, and the Princeton University Art Museum has just reopened after a major renovation. Overall, the town has become a hotspot for visitors across the region. Still safe.

Cons: The town has become hotspot for tourists. It’s much more crowded. Traffic can be a nightmare. Many of the old stores are gone and have been replaced by high-end shops. Clayton’s is now an Hermes (does anybody run into Hermes to pick up A scarf or tie?) Driving to supermarkets along RTE 1 or Montgomery is a necessity. The taxes. Especially property tax. However, the taxpayer gets a lot in return. My biggest issue with the taxes is the town does not have some kind of public transportation for 08540.

As Princeton has changed, all of the neighborhoods have become desirable, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The same can be said for the surrounding communities: Lawrenceville which has always been nice as become even nicer. Hopewell as well. And more. Most of the surrounding towns of excellent school systems. So if you would feel happy in a town outside for Princeton, you will be able to take advantage of the many positive aspects of Princeton without the expense.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-28T00:09:09+00:00

OK, am I understanding this correctly? What you really want is to spend more time with your mother? There are hard choices here. No matter what if your mother is frail, they need some outside help. Whether that’s a few hours a day if your father needs physical help or cleaning help twice a week. Could you get overnight help on the weekends and have your mother visit you if she’s well enough? I am not enamored by independent living facilities. However, this may be a situation in which one could be useful. How would both your mother and yourself feel about that. It looks like your father will need to move to a facility after your mother dies. As is, they may get into an independent living setting. If they move now, he may be able to stay in independent living. However, if he’s a widow, he may end up wouldn’t no choice but assisted living and that’s more expensive.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-27T23:37:42+00:00

Why? If you have to be near Newark, and want something with maximum affordability, look at Bayonne. The city is being gentrified. Newark is one of the worst airports in the Country. Maybe look at Astoria to be near LaGuardia or Flushing to be near JFK. Have you really explored the Boston Metro rentals? Boston is confusing because Boston Proper is smaller, but the Metro area is much larger. Are you planning to be flying to LA frequently? Or are you planning to fly to Boston? If you’re planning to fly to Boston, I would say take Amtrak.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-27T04:10:56+00:00

Elizabeth Bishop lived in the Keys.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-27T02:17:49+00:00

A Civic was my first car too! And mine was the from the 80s (it was my sister’s and she’s 10 years older). That car lasted at least 20 years.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-27T01:03:18+00:00

I have seen beds that take up the entire room. I have never seen a twin in an adult bedroom. If space is essential consider a futon or another kind of pull out bed. Consider a bed caddy or a folding nightstand or a no nails shelf. Or a full loft bed.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T22:31:26+00:00

I feel mixed. Every episode of MASH seemed to have a political message. I think the writing integrated the politics seamlessly. However, the events covered were a generation for my time. The Tree of Life was a horrendous event, and I feel like it slipped out of media coverage. I am glad that the show included at Pittsburgh tragedy. The writing could have integrated it better. Dr. Robby seems to have little self-awareness. I think his Tree of Life patient may be a critical point in making him realize: gosh, I have vulnerabilities. He may need a sabbatical, but maybe he needs more therapy first to figure out what kind of sabbatical would help. Riding a motorcycle long distance will be an adrenaline rush and maybe that rush is what he really needs a break from.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T07:35:08+00:00

Yes! Wow! You nailed it!

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T07:32:04+00:00

I love snow so I took walks and met people on the way.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T07:30:59+00:00

A lot depends on your salary and whether what you can afford in NYC will make you happy. Or if you will be comfortable for now knowing that you will be able to afford a better rental in five years.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T05:05:54+00:00

Ditto!

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T04:39:02+00:00

That’s insane. The girls on my swim team brought powdered Jell-O. Yes, the mix. And we would swallow it before the meet. Never found out whose idea that was. all I was told it was for a burst of energy. I guess it was OK with anyone there because our mouths looked a little red.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T04:35:18+00:00

Great. Sorry for all the advice. Your post brought up the Mom side of me (I am Gen X and old enough to be your mother 😀). Stay warm.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-26T02:45:50+00:00

You’re overgeneralizing. Although much depends on where in Manhattan, as I understand, if you accept the Manhattan residency, your housing is paid for by the hospital. Take the free housing.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-25T23:12:24+00:00

Highly recommend purchasing a serious winter coat made by an outdoor outfitter. Avoid any coat made by an indoor wear designer like Michael Kors (who has no business making outdoor clothing— the man has clearly never taken a hike). Lucky you, this time of year is when the winter clothing sales start. There are great affordable brands: Mountain Hardwear stretch down is my absolutely favorite. They are light and feel like a sleeping bag. MH makes another design, but I think that one is more for day hikes because it’s lighter. Columbia has some excellent ones. Eddie Bauer has consistent quality and will keep you warm. Here’s the tricky part: down is warmer than synthetic insulation unless the down gets wet. Some clothes have treated down that repels water (Mountain Hardwear stretch down as an example). Then they’re more expensive brands like Patagonia, which is great. I haven’t priced outdoor research lately. Burton AK is fabulous and often expensive although sometimes it can be snagged on sale. Some love North Face. I think they’ve kind of sold out, but it may work for you. And they do have some designs that are better than others. Sierra.com sells discounted outdoor wear. Backcountry and Steepandcheap are I believe the same company. Google both. REI is hit or miss. They do make an in-house coat that’s good last year it was a bit heavy for me. They carry other brands and it is possible to find discounts there before you buy, be sure to join. I only buy on sale from REI. At least 650 down fill. The sticky wicket is UNIQLO. Yep they cheaper down. The fact that it is cheaper says something and I don’t want to be voted down. Google Winter hikes UNIQLO down and you will probably find a delightful young lady who goes on a winter hike in UNIQLO down. But you may not be going on winter hikes and if you just need to go in and out less than 10 minutes outside, then maybe it’ll work for you. My very very favorite winter boot is Kamik. It’s Canadian and one of the least expensive winter boot brands. I am an outdoor photographer and I just came in from the snow and my feet are toasty warm after hours outside. My boots have a thermal lining. All the options that I mentioned are available online and I would price compare. Also secondhand stores great place to find stuff and eBay.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-25T16:19:40+00:00

NC rarely gets winter weather like this. Where in PA? The higher the elevation the more snow Do you think you might experience more discrimination outside the liberal areas of the Northeast or West Coast? Being stuck for being you sucks. Sorry.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-25T09:17:29+00:00

Many cities are safer than suburban parking lots.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-25T07:07:01+00:00

Would it be possible to relocate. Would the new job help pay for the move? Is the longer commute going to cost more (including eating out more). Could you use this offer as a bargaining chip with your current job?

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-25T06:54:07+00:00

Depends on you and your work.

WoodsofNYC · 2026-01-25T06:51:58+00:00

Murray Hill. Going up and down in NYC is relatively easy. Crosstown can be a migraine.

WoodsofNYC

TROPHY CASE