My uncle would always put some piccalilli (that my aunt had made!) on his barbecue chipped ham, and my aunt and cousin would glare at him, as if he were desecrating the barbecue ham. I'd had it both ways for years, depending on whether my mother or my aunt were making it, but wow people got serious about it.

I do too, but mostly just The Stadium. Everyone knows what that means.

What I miss about Kaufmann’s is the bakery on their balcony. Mmm..the custard pies, the multitude of Christmas cookies, Italian and French breads. I also miss their fabrics in their sewing department, some beautiful stuff I could never afford at the time.

I will always carry my fear of elevators because of Kaufmann’s… Was on a packed one when it stopped at a floor, doors didn’t quite open but the car proceeded to drop 6-8”. It caught and went back up, but when the doors opened I never saw so many people empty an elevator that fast.

They called Star Lake so many different names over the years, but we persisted. ;) It’s now Star lake again. I say, don’t give up, never give in. We are Pittsburgh!

I've had geraniums out in the open in front of my house since early May, and they're still blooming. The only ones left as of now and they really don't compliment the pumpkins out there... ;D

I’m just a few miles away from the airport and all of my flowers perished from frost the same night last week. I’m in a valley and I’m sure houses at the top of our hill may still have some left. It’s not always a blanket…temperature varies.

That was not an attack, and I do know how this ended up for several senior citizens. My point was to not generalize. Every situation is different, and while most people do try to prepare, the reality at the end becomes the same for all. You’re well-off enough that money isn’t a concern for you or your family…OR what you thought would be sufficient for your needs will always go towards end of life medical needs until they run out. Then you go to whatever facility you and family can afford…and it’s not a pretty picture for anyone.

... My divorced, very independent mother worked til she was 78. Her Social Security was max'd out and she had a pension from her years working at Rockwell and Boeing. She thought she would be ok... Yes, she qualified for many of the programs available in PA because of the lottery funding but still didn't have enough for a decent facility in her last years. She spent her last year with me, at my house and I think she resented every minute of it. We had an aide come in twice a week, but I had no help from family. Until you're there, don't judge.