The Issue
Like the mild winter we on the East Coast have been experiencing this year (my heavy coats barely left their hangers), the love our contributors bring to this issue also warm us, reminding us of the holidays we’ve celebrated and the joys of spring right around the corner. New contributor Dale Goodner reminisces about a family canoe trip celebrating several graduations, including he and his wife’s from a full nest. A Dirty Old Ladies Valentine’s Day offers an interesting twist to the age-old day of love. An unlikely friendship draws to a close—and a plea for befriending the elderly is made—in Saying Goodbye to Bertha. Our features close with the stunning story of one woman’s dream to get everyone over 65 “online”—and that dream’s path to fulfillment—in Real People Empty Nesting: Tobey Dichter.

In our departments, Kerry Peresta explores the value of wining and whining and ruminates on why we do it (and why we need it). Looking ahead a bit, we begin to plan those spring and summer trips, and mother/daughter duo Emilie and Gretchen Haertsch take us on a walking tour of presidential birthplace Quincy, MA. Dr. Dan Gottlieb teaches us to “make the container bigger”—to step out into the world and help others—as great a thought for the dark winter season and the high holiday of love as it is for all year ’round. William Bedford once again skillfully brings us from one season to the next with his entertaining verse.

The Publication
The format of Empty Nest makes our editorial the home page (you’re there!), where the articles are laid out in context. As always, though, you can reach the Features, Departments, and Editorial via the sidebar menu at left. Finally, you can also do a keyword search of Empty Nest. Just type a topic or author’s name into the search box at the bottom of the sidebar, and you’ll bring up a page with links to relevant articles in the current issue and in the Empty Nest archives.

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My Winter into Spring
As we wrapped up the last issue, Gary and I were lugging Christmas decorations down from the attic. That seems so long ago now! Looking back, we happily moved through the holidays: Older daughter Amie and her husband Todd made it to PA, after all, for an early Bonner family celebration, then they were off to spend Christmas with Todd’s family in Chicago. Younger daughter Sarah lent her bright countenance to all of our annual holiday rituals, and she and I sang once again at the Covenant House Donor’s Mass in NYC on Christmas Eve.

Soon it was time for Gary’s winter robotics adventures, and for winter hikes up Spring Mountain (without the bite this year—go figure: We never got to use our new snowshoes). We continued some household projects—Gary geared up to begin furniture construction. Since our bedroom/bath painting escapades last fall, we’ve needed new dressers, and it looks as though the walnut slabs we’ve been storing in the basement all these years will finally meet a useful end. (I may even get a free-standing jewelry box out of the deal.) For my part, I’ve been dusting off my wall stencils and reframing photos. Things are coming along. Someday, they may even be done. Lunches and dinners with girlfriends and couples-friends rounded out our winter fun. The Philadelphia Flower Show, in early March, helped Gary and I at least begin to think about spring, and soon I'll head off to sunny southern California for a little mother-daughter respite with Amie. Quality time together will include wine tasting and other SoCal attractions. Alas, a recent promotion to Managing Development Editor at Aptara hasn’t left me with much time for daydreaming.

With even warmer weather nearly upon us, we look forward to daffodils, tulips, and spring wild flowers, as well as digging out our bicycles. Sarah’s April concert with the New York City Master Chorale is a highlight on our list, as is a whirlwind Easter visit with Amie, who will be in Washington D.C. for the weekend. (Grandmom will be along for that one!) We’re also looking forward to some summer hiking in Yosemite National Park with Amie and Todd.

Enjoy the changing seasons and, as always, enjoy the issue! Once again, we thank our dedicated contributors, to whom we owe the quality of this publication, and our loyal readers, who ensure its success.

For more about Empty Nest magazine, visit About Us.

Enjoy!

Robin C. Bonner
Editor, Empty Nest