Louisa Rogers

The loss of her father led to sadness and unexpected anxiety, but language, nature and the gift of distance brought comfort
By Louisa Rogers
"Drive safely," my father said, his drawl still noticeable despite not having lived in the South for 80 years. We were saying goodbye at his assisted living facility outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Only later did I realize his send-off to me would be his last cogent message.
"I'm not driving, Daddy," I said. "I'm taking Uber to the airport tomorrow, an...

Looking through the window at Just My Type Letterpress Paperie's new location on Second Street, you see a humming scene: a miniature letterpress, with delicate fair-trade Himalayan paper rosettes hanging above. Behind are displays of cards, prints and stickers. In keeping with the shop's theme, it has an old-timey feel. Shops all over the country sell owner Lynn Jones' hand-printed stationery, cards, notepads, art prints, tea towels and calendars, all of which feature her linoleum block print...

“Por mi cuenta” is a Spanish phrase that means “on my own.” In this article, Guanajuato resident Louisa Rogers talks about how she and her husband created their own volunteer opportunities in Mexico when her snowbird lifestyle prevented her from making longer-term commitments to organizations.
In 2005, my husband Barry and I bought a house in Guanajuato, where we spend part of each year. We knew when we began our life in Mexico that we’d want to involve ourselves in the local community.
There...

I’m with my Spanish tutor, Camila. As we sit opposite each other in the kitchen of the Mexican home my husband Barry and I bought in the heart of Guanajuato 17 years ago, we share details about our lives and she teaches me modismos and helps me with my pronunciation. My class is the highlight of my day.
Since we bought the house, I’ve had seven tutors, each of whom has not only taught me Spanish but also offered a window into Mexican culture that I could not have found as easily or quickly an...

The author's parents, circa 1975. Louisa Rogers
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When I was a teenager, I developed an unhealthy habit of repeatedly making promises to my mother that I would go on a diet, then fail to keep my promise. For this reason, I’ve found that one of the best ways to make a change is not to make a promise.
If that sounds strange, it’s hardly the only quirky way I’ve found over the years to make lasting changes, and now that I’m 71, it’s much easier than it once was. Here are 11 more strategies I use, culled from my professional background, my spiri...