It was 6 o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day in 1975 when I was home from my junior year of college for Christmas break. The wall phone in the den just down the hall from our bedrooms was ringing. I heard Daddy's footsteps making his way to the phone. Mama followed behind to … Continue reading Saving Lives: Vets to Vets
To Ride in His Car: Online Dating
Over the past year of online dating, I've never once ridden in the car of any of the guys. Part of that is due to the distancing we're doing since the pandemic; I haven't been in the close space of a car with very many people. With online dating it's normal practice to meet for … Continue reading To Ride in His Car: Online Dating
I See You: Eyes of a Child
It was a Thursday afternoon and I was keeping my 16-month-old grandson, Parks. He'd just gotten up from his nap and I wanted to quickly check my mailbox. I let him walk on the sidewalk holding my hand, and then picked him up when we crossed through the parking lot to the mail station. He … Continue reading I See You: Eyes of a Child
Ghosted: Online Dating
I started this online dating journey a year ago. I've taken note of all the guys I've encountered on this path. Some I've only messaged on the site; some I've known through phone conversations and texting; others, I've met in person for coffee, hikes, dinner or drinks. So much about this new way of dating … Continue reading Ghosted: Online Dating
Shallow Well Church Ladies
I grew up in Shallow Well United Church of Christ that was within a mile of my house and the focal point of our family activity. Besides large extended families on both my mother and father's sides, we had a church family that provided love and stability. The church was founded in 1831 when services … Continue reading Shallow Well Church Ladies
A Life Without Regret: Embracing the Journey
This past week I had the privilege of being with a long-time friend who is dealing with an incurable cancer. She's been treated with every chemotherapy available but still the cancer returns. I consider it a privilege because she included me in the limited time she has as her life is narrowing in. She's getting … Continue reading A Life Without Regret: Embracing the Journey
The Creep Factor: Online Dating
It was a year ago when I started down this adventurous path of online dating. Our twelve months of separation had been completed and the settlement papers signed and sent to the court. It was time to move forward in the only way possible in the midst of a pandemic. Don was the second guy … Continue reading The Creep Factor: Online Dating
A Flicker of Hope
When I retired as a school nurse in March of 2017, I wasn't ready to stop working completely in my profession. I still wanted to do something to help others-- just not in the same way. After six months of considering my options, an opportunity opened up for me at UNC-- where I had my … Continue reading A Flicker of Hope
Taking a Risk in Kentucky
Lately I've been remembering my solo journey in 2016 that was the longest I've ever taken. That year I traveled to Kentucky, to a rural area that was an hour, northeast of Lexington. There I attended an artist's residency at Artcroft, a program that provided living quarters and studios for artists-- including writers. I'd learned … Continue reading Taking a Risk in Kentucky
Attractive and Athletic: Online Dating
In his primary pic on the dating site, "Gabe" had a profile headshot taken in his designer sunglasses. His head was shaved and showed some gray stubble. His face was tanned and toned and he had a chiseled jawline. Gabe stated he worked out five days a week, as evidenced by his gym tank top … Continue reading Attractive and Athletic: Online Dating
Connie Rosser Riddle 