I didn’t realize how much I needed spring to come after this long year of Covid where days and months passed in a blue light blur of Zoom teaching and meetings. The bleakness of winter only added to the feelings of isolation and sadness for the loss of so much life- and way of life. … More Spring Forward
For those of you who know me, you’ll know that blue fingernail polish is pretty radical for my natural girl self (okay also MATURE girl self…at least most of the time). The reasons are many and have nothing to do with me not appreciating color. I am a clarinetist and I don’t like when nail … More On Blue Nails and Pandemics
As I walked my dog this February-almost-March morning, the birds were singing in riotous joy. Flowers poked cautious heads up toward the blue sky, trees breaking out with tiny green buds of promise, the slumbering world seeming to sigh in anticipation of the change to come. As this long winter and endless months of uncertainty … More The Birds Still Sing
I have often used writing to help myself sort through things, and this piece is no exception. After ending my last post with the happy postscript that Dan was safely home with me after a surprise appendectomy, our happy ending turned sour; hours after bringing him home he began to have severe abdominal pain, shortness … More On Circling the Wagons
The world ground to a halt, and the birds still sang. People hid in their homes, store shelves were bare, and spring burst forth with riotous color. Some brought their best, and some their worst, and flowers bloomed while bees danced in their nectar. Humanity cried out for someone to listen- anyone, and the sun … More And the Birds Still Sang
I love to write so much, but this recent bout of depression and anxiety has made it tough to focus enough to write. Falling out of the writing routine is frustrating; I miss the daily outlet terribly, as well as the kind dialogue with those who read and comment on my blog. It has become … More Checking in on Checking Out
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
I was enjoying working in my Secret Garden this afternoon when I turned to look back at the driveway. For a moment I expected to see Coops and Sophie sitting together there in the shade as I worked, Kasey flitting through the irises as I pulled weeds. They are all gone now, though, all taken … More Animal Ghosts
I woke up on this beautiful spring morning to the sounds of bird song through our open windows. For once I didn’t have to jump out of bed and race to be somewhere- such a luxury! This is my favorite time of year as the world awakens, creating a riot of color and life after … More Sunday Reflection: Life, Love, Laughter, and Promise
I woke to the sounds of jubilant spring bird song in the darkness of pre-dawn, My sweet husband next to me, the gentle snores and solid weight of the dogs at my feet, all such a comfort. There is gratitude in my heart; I am loved, alive to see the magic of rebirth yet again, … More A Day of Possibilities
The View from Here 