I'm at an age where many people are downsizing and cleaning out their homes. Some folks are taking care of their parents' or older relatives' estates. At times, it's an overwhelming task, with so many decisions to make-- some items easy to discard and others with sentimental value that must be saved. As hard as … Continue reading Hidden Dreams: Hidden Selves
imagination
Journey to Chincoteague: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Adventure
In last week's post, I shared my fear of crossing over the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel (CBB-T) on my trip to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. I ended with this summary of that experience: Looking back on that trip, I'm grateful that I had the experience of navigating the CBB-T by myself. I would have avoided it if … Continue reading Journey to Chincoteague: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Adventure
A Journey in Joy
Over the past few weeks, I've had rich conversations with several friends about finding the artist within. Since many in my age group are retired, it's natural that they have more time to focus on creativity. Sometimes people hesitate to speak of themselves as being "creatives"--- as if that's a designation for only a select … Continue reading A Journey in Joy
Planning Your Next Pilgrimage
For twenty years I was a school nurse. Though I've been retired from that position for over five years, I still find myself following the rhythm of the school year. By this time, with the holiday stretch from Thanksgiving through the MLK Holiday weekend, the reality of winter and the long road to Spring break … Continue reading Planning Your Next Pilgrimage
Order My Steps
Sometimes, when I realize the passing of time, it hits me like a gut punch. That happened this morning when I saw my note from three years ago in my devotional book. I'd commented on attending my cousin's son's wake and the weight of that grief, her loss as a mother. How can that be, … Continue reading Order My Steps
In Our Mothers’ Footsteps
It's less than three weeks now until my cousin, Kim and I will take off on our trip. The journey will bring us closer together just as our mothers were close. Her mother, Yvonne and mine, Mary were first cousins and best friends. Kim Casto McCaskill and Connie Rosser Riddle August 2022 Back around the … Continue reading In Our Mothers’ Footsteps
Music: A Gift Over Time
When I was doing Life Coaching sessions, I had clients who were trying to find their true selves. They'd gotten bogged down in life, being the responsible adults they 'should be'; they'd lost who they were before adult responsibilities weighed them down. I'd suggest activities that would help them go back to what they loved … Continue reading Music: A Gift Over Time
Back Home on the Farm
The one time of year I miss being a child the most is summer. I have a deep yearning to be back there on our farm, feeling the dirt under my bare feet, watching a sudden shower from the cover of our front porch, playing until the dark's only light is dancing fire flies. I … Continue reading Back Home on the Farm
Write Your Story
I started creating stories when I was in 6th grade; I was a playwright. My teacher, Miss Thomas encouraged me and even allowed my 'drama club' to perform those plays. Miss Thomas would have been fired if it were 2022; our class scores would have suffered on the end-of-grade testing that wouldn't include items on … Continue reading Write Your Story
Real and Imagined
Back in the fall, I was walking to the park with my three-year old grandson, Baker. A bird flew passed us and Baker said to me, "Grammy, birds are my friends." I looked at the delight on his face, watching the bird headed to a nearby branch of a crepe myrtle tree. "How do you … Continue reading Real and Imagined