And the first runner up is…
I grew up in a very small town in the Midwest. It had one traffic light. A state highway ran through the center of town, so I am pretty sure the only reason for the light was to slow down semi-trucks. As a child I climbed trees, played flashlight tag, dug roads for matchbox…
The one tool that weighs nothing
How often do you listen to your gut? Do you trust it? I like to think about that feeling, that voice, my intuition, as a valued companion. And while it’s an emotional response that may not always be right, it never tells me to do anything out of line. So on the occasion when my…
You don’t need anyone’s permission
Most of my writing comes from a thought, memory, or an event. It usually starts small until I can’t get it out of my mind. So I put it on paper, and there it grows. On a rare occasion, the writing starts big. Today is that day. This morning, I learned that Tim’s oldest brother,…
There are a lot of empty seats
My place is in the driver’s seat. I suppose the main reason is that I’m prone to car sickness. Staying focused on the road, and knowing when the starts, stops, and curves are coming keeps the queasiness away. I also enjoy the strategy of deciding on the route and finding my lane. In truth there…
The best of the best
In 2022, I went on 79 hikes, forty-four of which were on trails new to me. For the past three years, I’ve been documenting my annual hiking activity. It’s not a race. It’s not a goal. It’s not a competition with myself or anyone. It’s simply what I love to do. And it’s part of…
We learn to sew
My mom has a new teddy bear that keeps her company. She explained to the nurse how she sewed it including the Daisy patterned hospital gown. But the truth is, my Mom has never sewn. Or has she? For reasons I will never fully understand, because they are my Mom’s, my parents split right after…
Let them
On any given day we may look and feel a little different than a previous day. We are formed and influenced by experiences, both good and bad, and these live in our mind and body. So we have to meet ourselves where we are. Some days are just not as good as others. Occasionally that…
A Big Personality
I loved climbing trees as a kid. What an adventure – finding my way up and through the maze of limbs and examining the rooftops of neighboring homes feeling like I was being let in on some secret. As an adult, I don’t climb trees anymore (well, almost never), but I connect with them in…
Hell yes!
With a pause in my step and a big sigh, I said it out loud. Why am I doing this? I’ve asked myself this before. It’s usually when I’m feeling tired, exasperated or even doubt. I suddenly realize I’m working pretty hard at something and I’m wondering if the anticipated rewards are worth it! So,…
Sacred moments
I paused to smell a rose. With the scent, tears puddled in my eyes. Was it a memory, nostalgia, or just the pure beauty of it? I wasn’t sure. Memory is the mental capacity to retain and revive things learned or experienced previously. I have become a reluctant observer of memory loss. My mom has…