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How many times have you read Moby Dick?
My walks with Maisie covered the same ground at least once a day if not multiple times a day, and I am still noticing new things or observing more closely the things I thought I knew. The same can happen when we revisit a book, a painting, a piece of music, or even attend a weekly meeting with the same people. Staying curious in the familiar may yield the biggest surprises.
There is a ghost in my closet
From a very early age I was drawn to clothing and other adornments. I loved going through my grandmothers’ closets and jewelry drawers, examining each piece and occasionally trying things on. While neither grandmother owned anything very fancy or costly, I never got tired of combing through the treasure trove of their dressers and closets.
Life Lessons at 58, a birthday exercise 😁
A dog’s...
Do you need fixing or understanding?
When I have felt broken and attempted to fix myself, I usually feel worse. Cars, watches, suitcases, and shoes can be fixed. People need understanding and gently inquiry. Fixing implies that there is one way to be okay. We are more complex. Thankfully, there are many ways of being.
Forgiveness, the friend waiting for me
Forgiveness is something that takes time to really understand. Like a new friend, it is easy to show up when things are planned, when it is convenient for you. A true friend is the 3 o’clock in the morning friend. A true friend is the one with whom you can share an ugly cry, and hiccuping laughter. Once I really began to develop a friendship with forgiveness then I understood true forgiveness starts with yourself.
Groomed by the people who loved me the most
Growing up, I was taught to be a good girl. This meant that you would be nice, always offer to help, keep yourself clean, and don’t cause trouble. What we did not learn was how or when to say no. We were not taught that it was okay to take care of ourselves even if it meant hurting someone’s feelings or causing trouble.
Your Personal 10 Commandments
In...
Inside the Box
I distinctly remember the first time I read Mindset. I loved it. The simple explanations of how to lean into mistakes and challenges as opportunities to improve and expand your understanding of your own capabilities. I have been thinking about how to add a creative mindset as a companion to a growth mindset. Thinking creatively, allowing for the possibility of unexpected outcomes. A place to start is inside the box thinking. When I am stuck, taking the smallest action possible towards my desired outcome helps me get unstuck as well as opens up the realm of possibility.
The happiest days of owning a boat..
Cars are a love language I can speak. My second husband and I bought and sold a lot of cars during our marriage. It was some of our happiest times together. I bought my own older car with the hope that I would be more lovable and relaxed. Owning the car did not change me or change the fact that Sam and I were not a good fit from the start.
The Ides of March
Now at...
Doors, windows, and arches
As a young photographer, I was drawn to doors, windows, and arches. I am still drawn to architectural details. The younger version of myself imagined myself in other places as a different person. The current version of myself feels at home.
Double Dutch
Double...
Dead & Co.
Coming from Southern California to Vermont for college was like traveling to a new world. I moved into a dorm. I met other students who had attended boarding school. I learned about the Grateful Dead.
Toxic Positivity
Recently, my child accused me of toxic positivity. After I was through the hurt, I reflected on a time when I was struggling and felt like I had to figure everything out for myself. My intent was to reassure my child that I believe in them. I do believe in them. However, my child needs to believe in themself and more importantly begin to love themself.
Time to digest
It takes 12–72 hours to digest a meal, yet I can finish breakfast in 10 minutes. The same is true for information—we ingest without digesting. The Slow Thinking Movement is my quiet rebellion against the attention economy.
Tripping or Skipping
My dog Penny and I used to skip. It was our burst of joy after taking out the trash. As a kid, I skipped just as much as I tripped. The tripping didn’t hurt that much. What really hurt was when my grandmother would start laughing when I fell. Growing up skipping and tripping gave way to other activities. I remember outgrowing the tripping and to a certain extent the skipping. Both are important.
The tides of our lives
It has been years since I have spent an entire day on the beach in North Carolina. The beaches in North Carolina are the beaches I grew up on while visiting my grandparents each summer. These are beaches that are alive with creatures and plants. The sand itself always shifting. Highlighting the rhythm of life, reminding me to take notice of the beautiful variations of each moment.
The Lobster
When the movie The Lobster was first released I could not watch it. My second marriage was in a precarious position and a thoughtful inquiry into the nature of relationships, especially romantic relationships was not on the menu. A recent viewing of the film proved to be a delight and got me thinking, as well-crafted art tends to do. The movie postulates that couples need to be similar to be success. I disagree. Similarity can be a start while compatibility is much more important.
Are you a quiz taker?
Checking my horoscope, taking personality assessments, and online quizzes are entertaining. Sometimes I even want to believe the results. I am hoping to find out something about myself that will provide a guide, a clear path forward. The real information is found within. No subscription necessary.
Where do you find yourself on the Kindness Meter?
In a fast-paced world, slowing down and showing kindness can transform your life. Simple acts like greeting strangers, responding thoughtfully, or pausing between tasks foster connection, trust, and a more compassionate daily experience.
Temporal Setting
Temporal setting is a storytelling device. Stranger Things is an example of its use by the creators The Duffer Brothers. We do not get to select the time we live in. We do get to make choices to support the story we want our lives to tell. I have chosen the usual paths on many occasions. Paying attention to my life is worth the investment of time and energy. Allowing time and energy to stay curious is worth it.
You can’t always get what you want…
The Rolling Stone lyrics “you can’t always get what you want” kept going through my head after a recent walk in NYC and lots of eavesdropping. It was the end of the workday on a Tuesday and already a dark, chilly evening. I wondered if anyone who was complaining had really taken the time to ask themselves-What do I want? What do I need?
Death by a thousand cuts
My first marriage eroded slowly, almost without my noticing it. I am aware of other times I have allowed dreams and ideas to die a slow death. It has been a pattern. With attention, it is possible to achieve dreams, grow ideas into a reality, and deepen relationships. Each day, one step at a time.
Star Words
I had already picked the word play for 2026 then I went to church. That Sunday, the congregation was invited to pick a star word. My second word for 2026 is stability. It was not a word that felt ‘right’ until I spent a little time thinking about how play and stability could work together and support my year ahead.