I am a musician and teacher with a love of photography and story telling, living in Birmingham, Alabama (aka 'The Magic City') with my sweet husband, a goofy love big Husky, and a crazy Tortoiseshell cat. I love my life, love my career, and appreciate the creative outlet that writing and photography provide.
I am sitting in the waiting room of the O’Neal Cancer Center at UAB where Dan is having a PET Scan done, the final test before he officially begins the Alzheimer’s clinical trial. It’s been a tough day for my sweet husband, with the chaos of the upstairs renovations going on non-stop and no coffee … More On Meetings of Chance
This is my ninth Mother’s Day without my mom, the wonderfully wacky, ‘Heavy D’. The familiar ache in my heart, the rush of memories, the tearing up at Mother’s Day commercials (Damn you, Publix!) and Hallmark cards; it’s just a tough time of year for so many of us, whether from the loss of our … More Mother’s Day Thoughts and Lessons
I dreamt of my mother last night. Her blue eyes sparkling with mischief and stories untold. I felt her embrace, so very real, one I have ached for these past too many years. Chaos swirled around us, a world on fire, but my mother stayed calm, a tender smile upon her face. She held me … More A Love Note to a World on Fire
I am still in a strange place as I try to process what is happening to Dan since his early stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He begins the clinical trial at UAB soon after one more test. He is in good spirits most of the time about it all- but that’s my Dan; always doing his best … More Dreams in Pieces
I dipped my cup into a deep well of sorrow, the heart wrenching pain making me gasp, It’s taste both bitter and filled with longing for things I cannot name but feel with ounce of my being. I dipped my cup into a deep well of sorrow, finally choosing to sit with the memories, to … More I Dipped My Cup
I am still finding it really difficult to write. Countless posts have ended up in the drafts folder, languishing. My mind is too jumbled, my heart too heavy. We all have our periods of challenge and heartache at some time or another, and I am no different. I know how much writing helps me calm … More On the Little Things Lost
(This blog should have been published weeks ago, but- life. I am determined to getting back to regular posting, so please bear with me.) Have you ever had a holiday where you thought, “Dear Lord, we could write a country song about this one!” I’m just going to be honest; this holiday has been a … More Better Late Than Never: Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas
Even after all these yearsit still fills me with joy;the magic of Christmas.The twinkling lights of the tree,the aromas of a special meal cooking,the smiles and kind acts in a frantic world.I am grateful that no matter how many years have passed,we all still become children againeven if only for a brief moment,on Christmas morning.
How many years have I wasted on fear? Fear that I am somehow lacking no matter how hard I work; fear of things that would indeed come to pass, fear about things that never would. Why, when something good happens, when I feel great happiness, am I terrified that that something will happen to take … More How Many?
Who among us has the raw courage to reveal our true self, the one buried deep within our most sacred heart? We are such complicated, nuanced beings, so many layers, chameleons, becoming any shade of what we need to be in the moment; no intention of insincerity, only a basic survival skill learned before time … More Sacred Heart
The View from Here 