Author Archive: L. Merlino
L. Merlino
November 9, 2015
Dating
I assert that “love is all there is” – everything other than love is an illusion. Love itself cannot end, though illusions often do meet their demise. – Law of conservation of “love”. Ancient philosophers have long attempted to define…
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L. Merlino
November 6, 2015
Dating
Partners thrive both on time spent together, and time spent apart. Most relationships benefit from a healthy combination of the two, each partner granting enough space for the other’s growth and reflection, as well as ample time for intimacy. Vacations…
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L. Merlino
October 28, 2015
Dating
Hearts are frequently associated with love, as well as the attribute of courage. Anatomically speaking however, the biological heart does not resemble any decorative “Valentine” heart-shape (symbolic of love) by a long shot. There is one anatomical body part that…
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L. Merlino
October 12, 2015
Dating
I dated while pregnant. The fact that the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage is another story that had nothing to do with the fact that I was dating. One thing I noticed is that a pregnant woman on the dating…
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L. Merlino
October 12, 2015
Dating
Seems to me, if you can’t make a decision between two lovers, then neither one is right. For one thing, if one of them was your perfect mate, you’d already be with that one exclusively – no decision to make!…
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L. Merlino
October 7, 2015
Dating
So, Mr. “Long Time No See” is featuring a comeback! Looking into his prodigal eyes, are you? Don’t get lost in space now! Ask yourself: – Is it finished already? Have you already achieved a sense of closure? Do you…
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L. Merlino
September 21, 2015
Dating
Premarital cohabitation is nothing new. Historically, in some cultures (including colonial North America), a betrothal was essentially a trial marriage, with marriage only being required in cases of child-conception. Today, in many cultures, a betrothed or engaged couple is expected…
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L. Merlino
September 18, 2015
Friends and Peers
Teens and life lessons from friendships As a teen, I took friendships for granted; the most intense lesson I learned from this was that friendships, no matter how special, do have breaking points. I mistakenly thought that a friend would…
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L. Merlino
September 13, 2015
Dating
The female psyche and understanding it Understand the female psyche? Why the female psyche is the very embodiment of understanding! The problem is that so many of us have been divorced from our feminine natures – male and female alike….
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L. Merlino
September 4, 2015
Dating
They are not your average hunk, yet they are real lady killers. This type of heart-breaker appeals to our maternal instincts. Try settling down and making babies with such a guy, and you’ll soon get exasperated. These perpetual adolescents can’t…
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L. Merlino
August 24, 2015
Dating
Most, if not all people cling a little at one time or another. If you are in a relationship where one person clings most of the time, it may be time to bail out. Everyone needs some breathing space, and…
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L. Merlino
August 16, 2015
Friends and Peers
So, you’ve bombed out! The essence of hilarity is the faux pas (a false step or literally “foot in the mouth”); someone else’s foot though! Certainly not yours! Slapstick humor is literally built upon embarrassment. Anything that gets you red…
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L. Merlino
August 15, 2015
Marriage and Divorce
How to discourage your partner’s annoying habits 1) Pick and choose your battles wisely. Everyone has annoying quirks. You are no exception! Remember, the more you expect of your partner, the more will be expected of you in turn. Are…
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L. Merlino
July 23, 2015
Dating
The words “I love you” can make or break a romantic interest. Some potential partners like to keep guessing at where they stand with another. To say “I love you” too soon or too often can break the spell of…
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L. Merlino
July 21, 2015
Family
I’m a very young fifty-five. In fact, I adore video games, shop at Gap – for myself – and grab my fifteen minutes of fame whenever and wherever I can. In that sense, there’s not much difference between me and…
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L. Merlino
July 9, 2015
Clothes
The colors of spring 2009 are predominantly optimistic, sophisticated, juicy and bold, in contrast with an uncertain economy. A vivid, vibrant palette holds court this spring! Flavorful, zesty Super Lemon and Citron Lime along with papaya and mango are perking…
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L. Merlino
June 11, 2015
Skin and Body
The loofah is a fibrous gourd related to the cucumber; it is the only plant source of a sponge and has the perfect texture for gentle skin exfoliation. Loofah and other sponges will deteriorate and become a breeding ground for…
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L. Merlino
May 29, 2015
Marriage and Divorce
Intuition, definitely male intuition. It’s what we wives want from our spouses, and not to have to emphatically spell everything out! Every female is different, so what thrills one may not thrill another. Husbands then had better not ask their…
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L. Merlino
May 20, 2015
Makeup
Red lipstick is the only lipstick shade to be taken seriously. Pinks may be flirtatious and other tones have their merits, but red gives the most definition and can be adapted to any occasion that calls for extra attitude. Like…
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L. Merlino
May 16, 2015
Marriage and Divorce
Marriage can go through so many stages and where the honeymoon stage is typically bliss, other stages of marriage can be so much more blissful. The honeymoon stage of marriage is a thrill; hormones are high and each partner is…
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L. Merlino
May 15, 2015
Skin and Body
Emergencies are typically messy by nature and call for an extra helping of hygiene to be efficiently dealt with. Whether you are called to administer first aid, change a flat tire or a messy diaper, your hands will need a…
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L. Merlino
May 15, 2015
Skin and Body
How to get privacy in a public restroom The public restroom is rarely associated with privacy. The most you can hope for is anonymity. Even barricaded in a cubicle, you may be identified by your shoes! The sounds and smells…
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L. Merlino
May 14, 2015
Skin and Body
They don’t like to bathe. At least that’s been my experience raising two youngsters who have Aspergers Syndrome. I am sure there are exceptions, but many families who are affected by the Autistic spectrum have similar tales to tell, and…
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L. Merlino
May 10, 2015
Clothes
For some men it is a born talent. One male friend of mine had the knack of buying ladies’ clothing to the extent that he could have made a career out of it! He’d walk into a vintage clothing or…
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L. Merlino
May 10, 2015
Clothes
Most workplaces have a dress code, whether implied or explicit. The result is often “clone wear.” How can you dress “all business” while breaking the mold and introducing some of your own style? Workplace attire is usually stylish if you…
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L. Merlino
May 10, 2015
Clothes
T-shirts blend in almost everywhere these days, but they are not always appropriate. One draw-back presents itself even at tee shirt-friendly occasions though: you won’t usually “stand out” in an ordinary tee! To alleviate this problem and appeal to the…
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L. Merlino
May 7, 2015
Clothes
Good clothing colors for tanned skin Really, anything goes depending on what you’re after. If you want to accentuate your tan, light colors are the best way to go. “Girl-showing-off-tan” is on the scene! Who cares if you are being…
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L. Merlino
May 6, 2015
Clothes
A man should never look like a stuffed sausage, yet tight clothing can be a stylish option for certain types of guys. Take the “rocker” look for instance. Tight, black jeans or leather pants, a tank top and a tight…
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L. Merlino
May 6, 2015
Clothes
There’s not much difference between pajama bottoms and jogging pants. They cover up the private parts, have an easy fit and provide some protection from the elements. Furthermore, pajama pants are downright attractive! They come in a wide range of…
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L. Merlino
May 4, 2015
Clothes
Kids’ clothing? Perfect fit? That may be an oxymoron! I assert that there is no such thing as a perfect fit in kids’ clothing – unless you want to get into the “Zen” of it: “A perfect fit is that…
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