This weekend some widowed individuals will be attending Camp Widow in Tampa, Florida. I wish the organizers and all the attendees an inspiring and comforting event. The last official weekend-long Camp Widow will take place in San Diego, CA in July. My experience there last year as a first-time camper and presenter was definitely a […]
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If Only
Spring is here in Southern Oregon and today is one of those perfect type of days. It’s about 60 degrees and sunny at 6pm. The sky is a rich shade of blue, making me long for warm summer days to come. I’m currently sitting on my deck. On one of the chairs next to me […]
Same Time Next Year?
Lola and I leave Tucson for home in just a few more days. I had been toying with the idea of driving north from here to Denver, then heading east on Interstate Highway 70. Doing so would allow for new sights and adventures. To this flatlander, at least, driving over and through the Rocky Mountains […]
Facing Fear
A Conversation I see you, fear. I see you once again and say ‘hey’ formidable crafty opposer. Mess-making friend who turns the neatly arranged inner furniture up-side-down and brings all manner of havoc to me— unbidden. You arrive at my door in many costumes; posing beneath a plethora of masks and feelings; […]
The Solo Road
As many of us know, being a solo parent has many, many challenges to say the least. Lately trying to balance being a solo mom with dealing with my grief has been quite overwhelming as we inch closer to Erik’s second death anniversary. Early on in my grief, a lot of my insecurities and worries […]
Impending Milestone
Next Sunday is our wedding anniversary. Because it’s on St. Patrick’s Day, people tend to remember the date. Last night, my friends were asking how I wanted to spend that day and offered companionship if I needed it. I know I won’t be heading to any of the city’s parades. As one friend dryly joked, […]
Florida Days
On Wednesday, I will be leaving for Camp Widow Tampa, and Im really excited. It’s also really emotional for so many reasons. First off, I will be the KeyNote Address Speaker at Camp Widow this year. I still remember watching Michele Neff Hernandez up there on that stage, speaking to all of us broken and […]
How Could I be Forgetting?
Last Saturday, March 2nd, marked the sixth year of the passing of my sister, Manette. But for some reason I’d “forgotten” her angelversary and that intended post in her memory did not get written. The anniversary of her service was March 6th so I’ve thought a lot about her this past week. Then just two […]
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
Title quote: George Bernard Shaw I’ve agreed to come up with 10 questions for a weekly online chat with rotating topics. Next week’s topic is, “Connecting with the Inner Child through the Magic of Play!”. Honestly, this embodies two of my favorite topics: magic and play. I think Shaw’s quote rings so true for so […]
The Music Never Stops
My friends Bob and Linda visited Tucson this past week. Along with a couple of other friends, who are now more or less permanent Tucson residents, and several of their friends, the action was nonstop. Truthfully, I’m exhausted! I won’t recap the full calendar of events and activities. However, as always, much of it revolved […]
Sleep Remedy
Up at night? What to do? Stare at the ceiling? Worry? Go online? Or try something new . . . A stream of consciousness writing exercise called Writing Practice. Created by a writing teacher for those who love to write but don’t know what to write about. Here’s how it works […]
The Dark Day
As we have now entered the dark month I find myself significantly more anxious during my days, more than I have been for a while. I feel like I have been trying so hard to not live in the days of 2022 leading to that dark day. It seems as if any second I have […]