In a Word: Racism

I am fortunate enough to have groups of women with whom I can share my thoughts. One such gathering has chosen a list of words.  Each month we discuss what one of the words means to us. What feelings it engenders. What we can learn about ourselves in a context of thought and discussion about […]

Being Me

“We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves (…) never touch our basic wealth. They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are.” ― Pema Chödrön […]

#BlogActionDay

I believe in action. In my later years, though, my actions have become a little more thoughtful. It may be that I choose my battles more carefully, but I think it is because I now understand that the nuances of change are sometimes imperceptible. I recognize that some of my bold moves of the past […]

A Recipe for Aging (or Reconciling the Age Account)

Aging and parenting create an interesting combination. It is an heirloom recipe that I must dig from past history and review from time to time until I can do it from memory. I’m grappling with the ingredients again since my daughter’s illness.* From the negative side it would be titled, “My Life in Redundancy“.  A […]

Taking Care

When is volunteerism avoidance? I remember clearly my gritchy response when my father praised an older sister for her visible presence in Kiwanis. “She does great volunteer work,” he bragged. “Big deal,” I snarled. “She won’t even visit her own mother.” Well, there’s always more to the story, isn’t there? But for me at that […]

Is it You…or is it Me?

I already know that if I am irritated with anyone for any behavior any time, I should look to myself for that behaviors worst exhibitions.  Why this is?  Do I feel as if my irritating behaviors have been infringed upon?  Co-opted? Improved upon? Don’t know. I just know it fills me with dread whenever I […]

Available for…

Reprinted from My Life Class Am I emotionally available?  What does that mean? Maybe.  I dunno.  Kinda.  WhatEVER! I can’t really decide whether “emotionally available” is just a new catch phrase or if it truly is a question I should be exploring. Probably the latter. Because my mother would have been in the “unavailable” category. […]

Here come da stuff…

Yikes. Haven’t you heard me go on and on about stuff?  Haven’t I cleared my house? my life? (some of) our garage? (once in awhile) my desk?  I may have more posts about “stuff” than any other subject. Now I have another full household of it to clutch to my breast  and defend as I […]