The other day, Dan and I went to Taj India for lunch, just our second time to eat there since March when the world stopped. We were the only ones in the restaurant, and while I was sad for our Taj friends at the lack of customers, it was heaven to just enjoy our lovely … More Little Big Moments
In all honesty, it’s been tough to write for weeks. I feel covered in a heavy wet blanket of malaise that I can’t seem to shake, fueled by the awfulness in our country with all of the hate and division, all on top of a global pandemic. I am an emotional sponge and feel overwhelmed … More On Finding the Good
I walk through the too quiet house, over and over, the animals following on my heels. They sense my sadness and know that things aren’t as they should be. I feel you, see your touch on absolutely everything that makes our home beautiful. My world has shrunk to the boundaries of this house and yard; … More Silence of the Heart
As I walked down the ramp to board the plane bound for Nebraska Thursday morning, I walked behind an elderly couple tightly holding hands and smiling at each other. The man wore hearing aids, and both of their gates were a little unsteady on the bouncy ramp. However, it was obvious that they were holding … More On Ageless Love
We were up early yesterday morning, watching the absolutely beautiful royal wedding of Harry and Meghan- truly the stuff of fairytales. We have lived our own fairytale, too, Dan and I, and we smiled as we reminisced about our courtship and wedding on that special waterfall on the upper Nantahala River on the Summer Solstice. … More On Love in the Real World
I wonder what I look like through your eyes; Do you see past the veneer to the woman within? Through wrinkles and lines that are a manifesto of trials met, mostly with my head held high? The humor that is my coat of armor, my saving grace when things have gone south. The slight stutter … More I Wonder
Obligatory goofy selfie prior to surgery…a Gainey tradition. We sort of collectively gasped as we counted up the surgeries that Dan and I have had since we became a couple over fourteen years ago while Dan lay in the hospital bed awaiting stem cell replacement/ arthroscopic knee surgery; two ankles, two knees, two shoulders, a … More Mr. MacKenzie Works on Bionic Man Status
Dan proposed to me on our waterfall in North Carolina, but gave me an engagement ring soon after while we were on a trip to Jamaica. I loved the tanzanite stone surrounded by diamonds- something different for a second marriage. Over the past thirteen years I made the mistake of wearing the ring to do … More At the Intersection of Here and Now: A Little Tale of ‘Chance’ and Romance
We are fortunate to get to go home at lunch time most days, thanks to the close proximity of our jobs. Sometimes it’s a quick dash home just to let the dogs out, but sometimes it’s to enjoy a quiet meal on the sunporch- always a treat. One of our favorite lunches is Dan’s special … More The Little Things: Love on Sourdough
It is Friday. It’s been Friday for me since 4:30 this morning, a day packed with kickboxing and laundry, tons of teaching, dashing home to make lunch for my recuperating husband (shoulder replacement surgery a week and a half ago), dashing to the post office and bank, frantically preparing to be out of the office … More Upon Which Mrs. MacKenzie Contemplates Violence
The View from Here 