So, in this week between Christmas and New Years, there is a perception of downtime in effect. School is on break. Many office environments are closed for business. And people go on vacation, or out of town. This is the first Christmas break where I am in town for the holidays and I’m so happy to be home. I am, for a change, without structure. Without the need to wake up, prepare lunch for The Teenager, feed and walk the dog. Without the need to go to an office. Without the need to be present for others. It’s a nice bit of downtime, for me. I do thrive on structure, but I very much appreciate not having to be needed to do anything other than what I choose. And that’s a very powerful feeling.

Here’s how to deal with the separation anxiety pummeling you as we approach saying goodbye to Michelle and Barack Obama.

I have been single for a while now; in the summer of 2015, I dived into the online dating pool. Wow and wow. Dating is, as it ever was, torture. Meeting someone for the first time. Interviewing them, basically, to see if they’re qualified to be in your life in any way, whether it’s sexually or emotionally. I hated it in my 20’s and I hate it in my 50’s. Sometimes, then as now, I will tune out as the person across the table from me is telling me some white-washed version of his life. Sometimes, it will be a fascinating yarn. Sometimes, it will be enough for me to know that not only will sex not happen, but anything else. Lately, sex does happen. Because I don’t mind sex. It’s not troubling. It doesn’t give me anxiety. It actually offers me release. What I do mind is not connecting with someone, on a deeper level than just physical attraction. Still, I keep at it. And so, I very much enjoyed these 21 pick up lines. Oh, and I have most certainly heard this one: “You don’t know how many times I’ve had to swipe left to find you.”

The tech world is interested in women’s health, like at-home pap smears and other fun things. Whoopsie.

Now have a laugh with Ellen Cleghorne.