#SoCS: Soar and Fly

My oh my, how we fly From day of birth through good-bye Decades pass Memories last But, still, we wonder why My oh my, what is this life Is it about husband and wife A child or two Or single in lieu Or perhaps it cuts like a knife My oh my, the days slip away We pray for three seasons to stay Time can be a snake Age can take a break Preferring to go out and play MyRead more

An Isolationist’s Gratitudes

Prior to social distancing at home, I had been keeping a daily gratitude journal. It was birthed in May of 2019 and except for a few weeks where it became a weekly gratitude journal, I’ve kept it up. Now, as my isolationism runs steady, it’s important to continue – to find gratitude for what I have rather than what I do not have. So, I am going to share my top ten thoughts of gratitude from the past month. OrganicRead more

A New Chapter: Life as Me

“There’s a grace when the heart is under fire Another way when the walls are closing in And when I look at the space between Where I used to be and this reckoning I know I will never be alone” ~From Another in the Fire by Hillsong~ Ten years ago, I wanted it to be over with. The divorce. I had two months to go for it to be final, and a number of years before I truly felt peace.Read more

Better Than a Food Journal

Recently, my friend Heather, or MOSY as she is known in blogging circles, wrote a wonderful piece on having Gratitude. She beat me to the punch. I had intended, ever since Mother’s Day, to write on the same subject. It was on May 12th that I started a Gratitude Journal, one in which I would write down three things I was grateful for, every day. So far, so good. Keeping a gratitude journal is easier than keeping a food journalRead more

Dear Santa,

This Christmas… I have a very long wish list, but it’s not all for me I do not desire pretty boxes under the faux needles of a tree I do not desire jewelry, a new bike or clothes or an expensive SoundTouch system they call Bose No, my list is for the intangible things that only the heart of Santa can bring The miracles that make small children beam and the positivity that encourages people to dream The things youRead more

SoCS: The Unexpected

I’ve spent a lot of money in the last ten months. A new comfy mattress – planned A sick cat, lots of trips to the vet, canned food, holistic supplements – unplanned A sore foot due to plantar fasciitis, which meant new shoes, inserts, trips to the chiropractor, doctor and massage therapist – unplanned New tires for the SUV – required for Wisconsin winters and the faux spring of 2018 New eyeglasses – cuz everything looked this small with theRead more

Upright and Breathing

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love—then make that day count!”  ~Steve Maraboli~ Words to remember, to live by. Often, I am asked by friends, family and acquaintances when meeting, “How are you doing?” Sometimes I answer with, “Awesome! I am awesome!” Sometimes I answer with, “Good, I can’t complain.” Sometimes I answer with, “Hey, I’m upright and breathing. Life is good.” SometimesRead more

Keeping Balance

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ~Albert Einstein Not to worry, Albert…I’m moving: To work, to home, to the grocery store, to visit mom, to church, to yoga and the gym, and various other locations. And balancing: Work, home, shopping; work, home, mom; work, home, church; work, home, gym; work, home, paying bills; work, home, feeding cats; work, home, cooking and laundry; work, home, whatever. But I’m not on my bike. JustRead more

Morning Dew

“The dew waits for no voice to call it to the sun.” ~Rev. Joseph Parker~ It’s that time of year when the sun is rising during the ride into work, which provides plenty of opportunity for photos like this one. I am missing the summer’s 5:30 a.m. sunny wake-up call, but life goes on and I have to accept shorter days and getting up in the dark until some time in 2018. I said accept, not like. This post hasRead more

SOCs: Interwoven

Life is interwoven With last year and this With friends newly found And those we miss Life is intertwined With memories of prior days With dating, marriage, divorce And living separate ways Life is interlaced With community and work With faith and social gatherings And those times that irk Life is intermittent With sadness and joy With richness, then poor And brevity or a smile of coy Life is invention With smart phones and such With new and crazy ideasRead more

Midwest Resilience

“No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That’s the only way to keep the roads clear.” ~Greg Kincaid~ And so it is in the Midwest of the U.S. Living in Wisconsin all of my life, I’ve experienced many days of plowing ahead in my vehicle or following the path of a plow.  The white stuff is a fact of life. Here it can snow anywhere from October to April and, on rare occasion, in May. IRead more

Random Acts of Autumn

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L.M. Montgomery I am too. I have a love/hate relationship with autumn. I love the color of leaves, the crunchy cool air, the blanket of leaves on the ground, and the late farmer’s market, where there is an abundance of pumpkins, squash and root vegetables. On the other hand, autumn signals that winter is coming. I don’t know if I can say that I “hate” winter. Most often, IRead more