Last year in August when I walked on the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino, I was amazed that there were flowers blooming that are at their peak in spring and summer in North Carolina. I was surprised to find a pumpkin growing on a garden fence which we'd typically see in September. In that … Continue reading Surrendering to the Seasons of Life
life
The Teachers in Our Path
Over the past few years, I've become a fan of watching Youtube videos by relationship coaches, motivational speakers, and spiritual/faith leaders. Last week, I listened to one by Dr. Wayne Dyer (5/10/40 - 8/29/15), "Everything Happens for a Reason." Dr. Dyer was a self-help author and a motivational speaker with degrees in psychology and counseling. … Continue reading The Teachers in Our Path
Plans to Prosper You
Recently, I talked with a friend about her exploration of living facilities for when she's unable to stay alone in her home. She's a few years older than me, but now that I'm seventy, I'm much more aware of planning ahead for the future. She described the "difficult conversation" with her son and all the … Continue reading Plans to Prosper You
Encourage One Another
There have been moments this week when I've felt overwhelmed, vulnerable. Mostly those times come when I'm tired, spent from doing too much or not sleeping well. While I make an effort to look at life from a positive point of view, when I'm tired, that all falls apart. That was the case last Tuesday … Continue reading Encourage One Another
Remembering Ms. Pauline
Over the eight years that Mama lived at Parkview Retirement Village, I saw many of my high school classmates when they were visiting their mothers. One of them was my classmate-from-first-grade, Bragg Cox. That friendly guy with the blond hair and easy smile was attracted to another one in our first grade class, my friend, … Continue reading Remembering Ms. Pauline
Artist’s Residency: 14 Days in a Farmhouse
Nine years ago, in the summer before my retirement as a school nurse in March 2017, I decided my journey would be to an artist residency at Artcroft in Paris, Kentucky. I'd read about their community for artists of different genres. It was located about an hour east of Lexington on sixty-six acres of farmland. … Continue reading Artist’s Residency: 14 Days in a Farmhouse
Messages from an Illness
Today I had a "phone visit" with my cousin -- one of those conversations that lasts like a visit, drinking coffee at the kitchen table while settled in the warmth of family connection. I'd called to check on him as he recovered from pneumonia. I'd waited to make the call until I thought he'd have … Continue reading Messages from an Illness
Invitation to a New Year
This is my Birthday Eve. At 2:10 a.m. I'll roll over into a new year and a new decade of my life. I've been preparing for this, reading and pondering what it means to be seventy. The book that's been most instructive is Ageless Soul: The Lifelong Journey Toward Meaning & Joy by Thomas Moore … Continue reading Invitation to a New Year
Change Your Location, Change Your View
When I started taking fiction writing classes, one of the books that was recommended as a classic, must-read was Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. One of the book's take-aways was the value of writing in coffee shops -- like she did in Santa Fe. It helped the sometimes lonely work of a writer … Continue reading Change Your Location, Change Your View
Decade in Review
In one month, I'll enter my seventh decade of life; that feels unreal. While I was snowed in this week, I worked on a submission for my writing group. I made a Big Goal ( see2025: One Big Goal )this year of finishing my sequel memoir to follow the initial work, He Heard My Voice that … Continue reading Decade in Review
Connie Rosser Riddle 