January 6, 2025 This weekend I attended a meeting in which the chairperson brought the topic of isolation vs. solitude. She opened with some research that she had done, shared her own thoughts and then threw the query out to the group to discuss. People in the group had a lot to share and IContinue reading “Isolation vs. Solitude”
Author Archives: bmdavis1
Where are my feet?
December 30, 2024 Where are my feet? One of my favorite mindfulness techniques is to ask myself this simple question. My husband has heard this so many times from me in the past 15 years, that he quotes it back to me periodically. We both have dealt with an enormous amount of stress and griefContinue reading “Where are my feet?”
The Value of Retreats
November 10, 2024 This weekend I spent four days and three nights in Sandbridge, Virginia in a grand beach front house where the main agenda was writing in community. The retreat was a lovely balance of group writing sessions, constructive feedback from our instructor, shared meals prepared by an amazing chef and time to writeContinue reading “The Value of Retreats”
Autumnal Equinox
The light has taken on a different quality, especially in the past few weeks. Days are noticeably shorter, and the temperatures are cooling. As summer drew to a close, a few of our trees started to drop leaves and the sunshine is more angled as I drive to work each day. Green trees are showingContinue reading “Autumnal Equinox”
Fall Gardening
September 8, 2024 Gardening is a hopeful hobby. Each Spring I carefully select seedlings and seeds. I pull up the plants from the season before and turn the soil. It may sound silly, but I thank the dying plants as I remove them, for the produce they gave me and for the oxygen they addedContinue reading “Fall Gardening”
The Importance of Community
September 2, 2024 Finding connection with other people is extremely important to me. For over 30 years I have been the member of a 12-step support group for families of alcoholics, and I am sure that it is one of the primary reasons I have been able to continue to function and work since theContinue reading “The Importance of Community”
Groovin’ In the Garden
8/25/24 This week I had the amazing chance to go to an outdoor concert at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Good friends of ours invited Nick and me to join them in July, and it has been nice to know that a fun activity was scheduled, even with it being our first week with students, andContinue reading “Groovin’ In the Garden”
Late Summer Weeding
August 11, 2024 Come late August, weeding is one of my least favorite tasks. It is hot and sweaty work and even in drought, the weeds grow with gusto and flourish in every flower bed, vegetable garden and even my driveway. I try not to use chemicals, but sometimes resort to pouring boiling water onContinue reading “Late Summer Weeding”
Healing Through Service
April 14, 2024 In the midst of my grief, trying to work a full-time job as a school librarian, and helping run a household, I find that service work keeps me sane, especially when I end up feeling stuck or down. It is not surprising that I have felt adrift in the past nearly nineContinue reading “Healing Through Service”
Beginning Again
March 24, 2024 Last week in Richmond, Virginia we reached the point in the year when it is typically okay to plant potatoes, cruciferous vegetables, and other cool weather crops like lettuce. For many years, I have planted lettuce and kale in my tiny garden on the south side of our house right after St.Continue reading “Beginning Again”
Mindful Musings 