This Time of Year
November always catches me off guard. September drags on, refusing to let go of summer. October inches along as I wait longingly for fall weather to arrive. Then the build up to Halloween begins and – BAM – it’s Starbuck’s…
Continue ReadingWhy Marriage is Grounding
As I reflect on my first year as a married woman one word comes to mind – grounded. I feel grounded. Not the type of grounded that means I’m in trouble. The type of grounded that means I’m planted, stable,…
Continue ReadingActs of Tenderness
This week I’ve heard from many of my friends, readers, and fellow bloggers that we are all at a loss for words right now. I feel the same way, which makes it particularly difficult to write and publish a new…
Continue ReadingNasty Woman: Is That What I Am?
Recently I’ve been taking a fresh look at the nasty woman movement. I have a “Nasty Woman” T-shirt. I embraced the cause of keeping Planned Parenthood funded, which the t-shirt campaign supported. I’ve been wearing it proudly for the past…
Continue ReadingMy Time on the Neurology Floor: 4 Months I Will Never Forget
When I was 22 I moved to Seattle with a Bachelor’s degree fresh off the presses, no real, marketable skills, a lot of determination, and just enough money to get me by. It was a few weeks after 9/11 and…
Continue ReadingThe Wedges Between Us
I’m really struggling with something. Maybe you are too so I’m going to be brave for both of us and bring up the topic. The world feels very us vs. them right now. If you’re not with us, you’re against…
Continue ReadingMotivation and Mistakes: A Middle School Memory
In Middle School we studied the Holocaust. One day we had a school assembly during which a survivor of the Holocaust spoke. As we funneled into the auditorium I shouted an uncharacteristic and unprompted, “I hate Jews!” for everyone to…
Continue ReadingRedefining My Blog
I’ve been home for a few days after a delightful weekend at Bloggy Con. I have some thoughts on my first conference that I can share another time but today I want to talk about redefining my blog. I can’t…
Continue ReadingDo You Ever Travel Alone?
I am currently enjoying a nice weekend away from home alone, which is a rare occurrence now that I am married. I can hear the water lapping up on the shores of Lake Erie and other than the music being…
Continue ReadingFinding the Answers
My friend started a new job this week and she had a rough first few days. She’s in a new environment with new people, new responsibilities, and new software to learn. Not to mention a new daily pattern and a…
Continue ReadingKeeping Life Light and Fluffy
It’s Labor Day weekend! I love a holiday weekend, it doesn’t even matter what holiday, but I think Labor Day is one of my favorites. It marks the end of summer, my least favorite season, and the beginning of fall,…
Continue ReadingFear and Its Friend
I just crawled into bed after too many hours spent watching National News. I find hurricane coverage captivating because nature is amazing and I’ve always liked weather. Plus, it’s thrilling to watch newscasters and meteorologists report from the middle of…
Continue ReadingBack to School Pictures: A Childfree Perspective
It’s that time of year again! Children have butterflies in their stomachs and parents are scrambling to fulfill the ever growing list of school supplies they are expected to send to school with their kids. Meanwhile, teachers are sitting through…
Continue ReadingWhat 3 Things Are You Looking Forward To?
Years ago a friend showed me an article about the benefits of having something to look forward to. It said you should have at least 3 things planned that you are excited about. For a few years after reading that…
Continue Reading5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor Today
Yesterday was hard but here are 5 ways to love your neighbor today. If you’ve been reading my blog it’s no secret I spend quite a bit of time at home. I’m an introvert, a homebody, and I even work…
Continue ReadingAre We Still Talking?
So, how are we doing? It’s been more than 6 months since, you know, things changed around here. Ok, the election, I’m talking about the election. So…how are things? No really, how are you doing? I know, it’s…
Continue ReadingMy Introverted Way of Life
Getting up in the morning is hard for me. It always has been. I remember screaming at my poor Mother in the mornings when she tried to wake me up for school. I slammed my bedroom door and yelled horrible…
Continue ReadingI am strong, I am capable, I am afraid.
I cut my own hair last night. It was so long and every time I took a shower I got angry at the mane hanging down my back, wet and tangled. I watched a tutorial, carefully parted my hair, tied…
Continue ReadingOf Course
I’ve hit blog block again, a form of writer’s block that sets in just as I belly up to my laptop to share my life in print, on the screen, for everyone to read. Maybe I’m blocked because I don’t…
Continue ReadingHunger by Roxane Gay
When I was younger I read a lot. I read the Bible every day. It was full of stories and lessons I could apply to my life. I pulled apart verses and parables, trying to glean every ounce of wisdom,…
Continue ReadingLife is Beautiful, Complicated, and Temporary
I have done a lot this month, especially for me. My days and nights are usually spent at home and are relatively quiet. This month I’ve been reminded I need to change my routine, shake up my daily pattern, and…
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