Books Are Us
I’m pretty psyched. I completed what turned out to be the fourth or even fifth, actually more likely the sixth, set of revisions on my book. It has been a three-year project, and I have you, my blog subscribers, to thank for this feat. My blog posts and your responses to them formed the nucleus of my book project. Initially, I naively thought I could throw my blogs together and make a book. “Oh no”, said my publisher. It requires much more of you than that. I almost wish I had written it in conjunction with pursuing a master’s in fine arts (MFA) since it feels like I just completed my dissertation. The title is (shock of shocks) Be Brave! Lose the Beige: Finding Your Sass After Sixty; She Writes Press is my publisher, and the launch is scheduled for next May.
Friendships Work Because, Hopefully, "We Aren't all Nuts On the Same Day"
I’m a big fan of writer Ann Lamott and follow her on Facebook. She recently posted about turning sixty-eight. To arrive at this age, she says, means you weren’t born yesterday. It means you have experienced a great deal–friends and family ravaged by cancer, Ukraine, Sandy Hook, the warming of the earth. “How do we handle unspeakable loss?” she asks. By having a few best friends with whom you can share your truth.
Part 3: The Medical Saga Continues
The Squeaky Wheel
Access to medical care during the time of COVID-19 is limited. You have to be a squeaky wheel advocating on behalf of your loved ones.
I Stole My Husband
New Year's Reflections
Grateful for Animal Crossings this Thanksgiving
I confess to having blue expectations about Thanksgiving this year. Our kids and friends had other plans or were too far away to make traveling accessible. The holiday does not really have enough days built in to justify the expense. Ultimately, though, our Thanksgiving blessings scattered themselves throughout the week.
A Passion for Clay Molded a Friendship
I lost a beloved friend last week. Julie Caton was (it’s hard to use past tense in referring to her) a cultured, intelligent, grace-filled person. She quietly attended mass at St. Margaret Mary Catholic church most days. She didn’t make a big deal about her spiritual life, she simply lived out her practices. As sophisticated as Julie was, she disdained fancy. She embraced Florida’s casual lifestyle. Everything about Julie was authentic.
The Jeremiah Project Obit
“Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand”. That line served as a metaphor for our program. Clay comes from the ground and grounds those who touch it; clay requires centering on the potter’s wheel before it can be shaped; clay is forgiving, it can be remolded if we make a mistake; shaping a vessel simulates the power we have to shape our own lives. These were the messages we hoped, ever so subtly, to convey. It’s amazing how a ball of clay and a spinning wheel ground and center even the most anxious of pupils. Creative expression can be an oasis, offering a refuge for kids whose lives are often fraught with turmoil and hardship.
Hot Golf
God Must Have a Sense of Humor
No Son, Your Body Odor Does Not Smell Like Roses
Transforming Adversity into a Cherished friendship
Someone Who Can See Us As Our Best and Most Complete Selves is what we aspire to with friendships
On Being is great for Exploring hard questions Listen for meaning
Happy 87th Birthday Mom
Game Changers: Birth control Pill and COVID Vaccine
#Choose to challenge the Bra
"I Can See Clearly Now..."
Cataract surgery has transformed my impressionistic view of the world into a more realistic view, as I am now able to see the gorgeous details of nature more clearly.
I Can't Hear You I'm Wearing a Mask
How do you think the mask feels having to compete with other masks for the privilege of protecting your face? This tongue-in-cheek essay, told from the perspective of the mask, illustrates the opportunities and frustrations of mask-wearing in the time of COVID-19.
Vaccine Resolutions
Find a full index of all of the Be Brave. Lose the Beige! blog posts here