It was a dark night last winter when I was tossing and turning and woke from my fitful sleep at four in the morning. I had been discouraged the day before after months of isolation from the pandemic and going through divorce. It was one of those times when you have a hard time seeing … Continue reading Damaged Goods: Online Dating
Uncategorized
I’ll Stand With the Poor
Last Friday would have been Mama's ninety-eighth birthday and I was remembering two years ago when we had our final celebration with her. It had gotten harder over the preceding years because she seemed barely aware that we were having a birthday celebration; dementia had changed her so much. But at the last celebration she … Continue reading I’ll Stand With the Poor
Free to Inhabit a New World: Beginnings
Another Fourth of July holiday, another half-year gone and with the time-fog of the past year it's like what a woman said when she rang up my purchases yesterday: "The year of the pandemic seemed like ten years and this year has felt like one week." I understood that sense of distorted time and have … Continue reading Free to Inhabit a New World: Beginnings
Return to Salter Path
It's been six months since I took my last trip out of town-- to the beach in late October. It was time to go again for my needed dose of the coast--the natural beauty that's a healing balm. Before the pandemic, my older sister gave me the gift of an overnight stay at Trinity Camp, … Continue reading Return to Salter Path
What’s in a Name?:Online Dating
One of my worries since I started online dating is that I'll call a guy by the wrong name; it's happened to me with people I know in person, so it seems more likely to happen with someone that I only know through pictures, profiles, and messaging. I've carefully worded my profile to reflect who … Continue reading What’s in a Name?:Online Dating
Creature Comfort
When I hear what has helped people to weather this pandemic, they often say "my pet." Last April when we were sheltering in place, I really missed my Golden Retriever, Madison who died in July of 2017. How I loved that dog and the way she stayed by my side. She was truly my little … Continue reading Creature Comfort
Small Steps toward Big Results
I don't know what to write this week. Thinking about last week's post, have I made any break throughs? Did I work on my goals for the new year? How can a week go by so quickly? New Year's at Emerald Isle, January 2015 That's what I started with as I stared at the bare … Continue reading Small Steps toward Big Results
Season of Waiting
This time of year in the Christian calendar is Advent-- that period of expectant waiting for the arrival of the Christ child. Over the years, I can see families from the churches we attended, taking turns lighting the dark blue candle for that Sunday--often choosing one of their older children for the job. That single … Continue reading Season of Waiting
Same Time Next Year
Each year I hike with my cousin, Danny, aka "JD Smith" at Raven Rock State Park--sometime around Veteran's Day. Our tradition started ten years ago after Danny learned that I'd hiked on the Appalachian Trail. Yesterday we met there in COVID 19 gear and hiked about 3.5 miles down the Northington Ferry Trail to the … Continue reading Same Time Next Year
To See Her Face
Over the past few months, it's been harder to visit Mama. I don't know how I'll find her-- if she'll have that sweet smile we've come to expect, or if she'll be bent forward in her wheelchair, at times with a forlorn expression. It's difficult to see her that way and you don't know what … Continue reading To See Her Face
