Last Sunday was the first in the Advent season of the Christian Calendar, a time of waiting for the birth of the Messiah--the incarnate God who would walk this Earthly journey. People of other faiths have their own traditions that are special at this or other times of year. When we're in these seasons of … Continue reading Struggling During the Holidays: Hope for Depression
Transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas: Continuing Gratitude
In last week's post, I considered what it is to be thankful, to hold that space of gratitude that is at the heart of Thanksgiving: "Recently I came across the word "dwell" and it struck a cord with me. I looked up the word, wanting to reconsider all the meaning. One of the definitions, "to … Continue reading Transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas: Continuing Gratitude
Dwell in Thanks Giving
Next Thursday we'll gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. For some, this is an almost overlooked holiday in order to move on to Christmas. In retail, the Halloween displays were quickly replaced by loads of goods for Christmas, with the scant offerings for Thanksgiving edged out, and "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" … Continue reading Dwell in Thanks Giving
Preparing for the Holidays: Take Good Care
This week I found myself bumping into challenges, wondering how much of what I was feeling was related to growing older. My nature has been to push forward, no matter what, because that's how you make things happen, how you achieve your goals. While I've been retired for over two years, no longer with the … Continue reading Preparing for the Holidays: Take Good Care
Camino Journey: My Night in the Convent
On my Camino journey, the lodging I enjoyed the most was my first night in Spain. I'd taken the water taxi out of Portugal across the Minho River at Caminha and finished my eight miles that day in the town of A Guarda, Spain. I stopped at a cafe for tea and a slice of … Continue reading Camino Journey: My Night in the Convent
Bittersweet Halloween: The Passing of Time
Last night, I enjoyed Halloween with my grandsons, Baker 6 y.o. and Parks 4 y.o. I felt fortunate that Baker had asked me the week before, "Grammy, will you go trick-or-treating with us?" Fortunate, because he lives within a thirty minute drive and secondly because he wants me to join in with the group that … Continue reading Bittersweet Halloween: The Passing of Time
Cooking Up Zesty Travel Memories
Some of my great memories of my time in Portugal and Spain were all the meals of fresh seafood---really fresh seafood. On one of those days of walking by the Portuguese coast, I passed by a fishing village. Not long afterwards, I stopped at a restaurant where they were grilling the fresh catch. I think … Continue reading Cooking Up Zesty Travel Memories
Steinbeck and Southern Accents
I've taken many solo journeys over the years; most of my travel has been in the US, and some has been in Canada and Europe. When I leave North Carolina, my homeland in the South, I've become aware that sometimes my accent isn't easy for others to understand. Once I went home to Ohio with … Continue reading Steinbeck and Southern Accents
Camino Samaritan
Last night I went to the Country Dance at Loafer's and talked with my friend who'll soon be leaving on a cruise to Portugal and Spain. I'd gotten the information about that trip and it sent me in a different direction. I started thinking of the Camino and wondered if I could take a route … Continue reading Camino Samaritan
Appalachian Trail Interrupted: Challenges Unforeseen
It's been two months since I left for the Camino; I'm amazed that that much time has gone by. In the days before I left, when I was walking for miles at Hunter St. Park with my loaded backpack, I gradually built up muscle and strength. During that time, I was visiting at my sister, … Continue reading Appalachian Trail Interrupted: Challenges Unforeseen
Connie Rosser Riddle 