November 4, 2025 This past weekend saw a convergence of many seasonal milestones. Halloween, Day of the Dead, Samhain and a return to Standard Time all happened within 48 hours. It was the 60th birthday of a dear friend that included a lovely dinner out for seafood and formal party with even more mutual friendsContinue reading “Rituals and Reunions”
Category Archives: life stages
Stillness of the Autumn Landscape
10/25/25 A walk today in the mid-afternoon sun on a nearly deserted lake front road stimulated my senses. As I approached the water, it was so quiet that I could hear the wind rustling the Pampas grass by the water’s edge while insects in the reeds trilled to each other, oblivious to my presence. AnContinue reading “Stillness of the Autumn Landscape”
A Change of Season
September 14, 2025 There is a slant to the sunlight, even on an 80-degree mid-September day that tells me it is almost Autumn. The oak trees and hickories I pass on my walks are still fully festooned with dark green leaves, but the angled sunlight gives them a yellowish cast. Here and there I seeContinue reading “A Change of Season”
Don’t Give Up 5 Minutes Before the Miracle
April 27, 2025 Writing posts for Mindful Musings has not been in the forefront of my mind lately. I continue to journal daily, and I keep up with my personal practices of yoga, meditation and exercise, but my urge to share my writing has been non-existent. Chalk it up to grief or working full-time orContinue reading “Don’t Give Up 5 Minutes Before the Miracle”
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”
Gratitude in Grief?
January 17, 2024 Today marks six months since my eldest child Joseph Alexander Kossan passed away. His death certificate will forever say the wrong date, but I know beyond any doubt that Alex’s texts, calls, and heart stopped on July 17, 2023. My own heart is still shattered in a million pieces and often IContinue reading “Gratitude in Grief?”
The Dawn of a New Day
This morning I awoke naturally as the sun began to rise just before 7:00 am. It still wasn’t over the mountains at 7:30 as I brought my cup of coffee and journal outside on the porch to meditate and begin my day. I enjoyed watching the clouds slowly change color from purple and red toContinue reading “The Dawn of a New Day”
The Value of Dirt Therapy and Good Friends
April 30, 2023 This was a hard week. My ex-husband died unexpectedly of a heart attack and my sons, and I were thrust into turmoil. Alex had the unfortunate role of meeting the police at his father’s apartment for the distressing welfare check. He was understandably shaken, and I went to be with him asContinue reading “The Value of Dirt Therapy and Good Friends”
Digging My Ditches
March 26, 2023 Each March for the past 17 years, I have found a cool weekend to turn over the soil in my tiny garden, add some compost and plant lettuce and a few other “cold crops.” Truly, I end up spending several sessions just weeding and breaking up the soil before the planting everContinue reading “Digging My Ditches”
Every Time You Go Away, You Take a Part of Me with You.
Once more, I have an empty nest. My youngest son just drove away at the end of his final Winter Break from college. Andrew is doing a beautiful job of gradually coming into adulthood. He has learned a lot about life, Chemistry, Music, love and how to balance work, studies, exercise, and social life atContinue reading “Every Time You Go Away, You Take a Part of Me with You.”
Mindful Musings 