Change of View

August 27, 2026 This morning I awoke to completely new view out my window. I love that! Periodically, I crave traveling to new places and the opportunity to explore a landscape different from the one I enjoy in Richmond, Virginia. Yesterday I had my breakfast on the patio with our outdoor cat, Carlos, as IContinue reading “Change of View”

No Back-to-School For Me!

August 9, 2026 Weird. That is the only word that comes to mind when I consider the fact that I am not returning to school tomorrow and that I have no kid to take Back-to- School Shopping. I couldn’t help myself. Today I felt compelled to make one trip to look at the school supplies,Continue reading “No Back-to-School For Me!”

Let Go and Let God

July 28, 2026 A dear friend reminded me of this helpful slogan when we walked yesterday. I was telling her how overwhelmed I felt about financial changes due to my retirement and all the many unknowns that were racing through my mind. My new insurance is starting on August first. As of yesterday morning, IContinue reading “Let Go and Let God”

Torn and Tattered

July 14, 2026 Walking on the beach this morning, I spotted a flag flying high above the dunes near some affluent beach houses. What struck me was how the flag had split almost in the middle, between the red and white stripes. Remnants of 4th of July decorations and special ones for the 250th areContinue reading “Torn and Tattered”

A Mindful Walk with Ravens

June 28, 2026 Saturday was an emotion-filled day. I attended a ceremony at the treatment center where my eldest son found sobriety in 2017. Sadly, Alex lost his battle with addiction in a relapse 3 summers ago. In his obituary I requested, in lieu of flowers, that those inclined give donations to The Healing PlaceContinue reading “A Mindful Walk with Ravens”

Summer Solstice Reflections

June 21, 2026 Today is officially the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, when the daylight is longest and the darkness is shortest. For me the summer solstice always seems part way through the summer because our culture in the US views summer and the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It corresponds toContinue reading “Summer Solstice Reflections”

I’m Free!

As I drove out of the parking lot at about 11:15 am on Friday, I blasted this old Who song on my stereo. 33 years as a high school educator in the books: computer turned in, keys returned, office empty. I was struck by a sense of elation mixed with utter exhaustion that still lingersContinue reading “I’m Free!”

A Marathon, Not a Sprint (Figuratively)

May 17, 2026 When I was younger, I was a runner. I started in high school when each of us was expected to join a team. I had never played any sports before and was clueless about the rules and strategies for all games that involved a ball, so I decided to take up runningContinue reading “A Marathon, Not a Sprint (Figuratively)”

Rest, Reset, Retreat

April 11, 2026 Waking to the sounds of birds outside my open window is deeply soothing. I am in the “treetops” room at the Porches in Norwood, Virginia for another writing retreat with Wellspring Writing Collective. I don’t recall being here for a spring writing retreat before. I think I have only been here inContinue reading “Rest, Reset, Retreat”