Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
Life is filled with challenges. Whether health situations, caregiving, grief, or unexpected circumstances, difficult life seasons occur. Navigating hard seasons while maintaining forward motion requires determination and skill. Following are a few tips: Recognize Stress I rarely recognize stress in myself because I don’t feel it internally. My clue is elevated blood pressure. Even if […]
While driving on an unfamiliar road, I saw what appeared to be construction traffic in the far right lane. I kept going, thinking the exit lane was beyond the long line of dump trucks. I was mistaken. Suddenly, I saw the exit. Squeezing between bumper-to-bumper traffic was impossible, so I went to the next exit, […]
Recently, I noticed an extensive root system snaking across the bed where one of our largest trees is located. The roots are thick and sturdy and more visible now that the pine straw in the bed has settled. Perhaps drought conditions in the last few years have brought the root system to the surface, but […]
This week, I had surgery, something I have been putting off for too long. Over the years, as I tried to decide to have this surgery, people told me, “You’ll know when it’s time,” and they were right. When you reach the point where pain and limited mobility cause you to feel like an old […]
Last week, I joined my daughter and her family as we said goodbye to a beloved pet. We knew the day was coming. Sadie was 13 and had liver failure. She hung on a long time, doubtless cherishing the love as long as possible. But finally, her decline required the kindness of relieving her suffering. […]
Last week, as I was leaving a restorative care facility after visiting a friend, I encountered a group of employees in the lobby. “Are you a teacher?” one asked. “You have the presence of a teacher.” I answered “no,” and then told her I am a writer. “For real? What have you written? Do you […]
I’m a creature of habit. Most of us are. I eat the same thing for breakfast almost every day. It’s a challenge for me to step outside my comfort zone on certain things, breakfast being one of them, but recently, I ate something different for breakfast. It was delicious! What holds you back from trying […]
This is a summer of parchingly high temperatures, punctuated by torrential rain. Even with irrigation, sections of lawn appear dry beyond recovery, and then, comes the rain. Often, we experience seasons when we feel parched, exhausted and disheartened by life circumstances. Following are reflections on thriving in a parched world: Sustenance In the last days […]
As a child, I remember a summer when rain was an everyday occurrence. We had a new swimming pool and I longed for sunny days and warm temperatures. But each morning, I woke up to the sound of rain pelting the roof and filling the gutters. Not only did the rain continue day after day, […]
One of my orchids has created an interesting stem growth pattern. Instead of moving in a “normal” direction, the stem branched into a wide arc that continues to wind its way in an ever-expanding, circular path of growth. Sometimes, our journey is similar. We begin with goals and dreams, but often, life unfolds in a […]