My Heart is Riding Shotgun

I learned something in third grade that had a lasting effect on me. At that time, it was called PMA. In my memory, it was a theme for the entire year, but in reality, it may have been a brief part of the lesson plan. But I do remember lighting up when I learned what…

Thirteen years ago, we bought land in Galax Virginia. It became our weekend camping destination. The first improvement was an outdoor shower.  Tim used piping to make a frame and then we lined it with a straw curtain. We hung a rubber bladder from the tree to be warmed by the sun and gravity carried…

I thought I would be good at this by now. Until it happened. A former colleague and joyful, strong, graceful woman just lost her husband after a multi-year battle with cancer.  And I sit here helpless. My words for her feel utterly incorrect. If I say, I understand what you are going through, I know…

I never took it for granted that an impeccable meal was placed before me nearly every night of the week. If you knew Tim and me, you know, that yes, I was spoiled when it came to food. I was the constant beneficiary of the final product of the shopping, prepping, cooking, plating, and presenting,…

Remembering is to begin the process of grieving. I read this somewhere. Made a note of it. Then forgot about it, because I was so busy remembering. I was doing it innately. I am a person who likes to reminisce. I am nostalgic. If you are in my circle, you will often hear me say,…

How do we know that those who leave this earth are still with us?  We absolutely don’t. We don’t have the scientifically agreed upon details or the proof.  But if you ask me, details and proof aren’t necessary. I have a friend who saw a well-known psychic a few years ago. During her session she…

I got my first tattoo at age 24. It’s a sun. My favorite color is yellow. My favorite flower is a sunflower. And my favorite day is sunny. When it’s warm enough, I will always choose to be outdoors, and there is rarely such a thing as too warm. I will exercise in it. I…

I have taken the pandemic with caution. I did this for my own safety, and as a human sharing this planet, to do my part to protect others. With this choice came gathering with friends only outside, not getting on a plane, and for the most part, staying put. Although for me, staying put meant…

When you live in the Southeast, you get a couple of nice snows each winter. Because it was infrequent, it always made me giddy. Even with just a few inches of snow most things shut down for the day, and it was always a good reason to play hooky, warm the house with comfort food,…

In January 2020, I hit a car. My body, literally, hit a car.   I was on my way to a yoga class. I parked in one of my usual spots in a busy parking lot, with multiple avenues for cars to traverse. Because I was a little early, I sat in my car for…