It’s a simple question. One I’ve been asked more times than I can count over the last seven years. “Are you still writing?” Until recently, it wasn’t easy to answer. Writing used to be oxygen. It was how I processed the world. How I understood myself. How I made meaning out of chaos. The characters in my head were constant companions. Their voices were steady, loyal, alive. Then betrayal happened. And everything went quiet. Not just emotionally quiet. Creatively quiet. I lost

An International Women’s Day Reflection Last summer, tears filled my eyes before I even stepped fully into the room. I was standing at the threshold of my hero, looking at the desk where she had spent countless hours putting pen to paper. Eleanor Roosevelt was a prolific writer for her time, but it wasn’t her writing that drew me to her. It was her resilience. Her courage. Her refusal to remain small. The Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park was breathtaking. Flowers in bloom. Trees

I've been on a decluttering journey since 2021. It's a long, windy, sometimes easy, often difficult road. Today, I said good-bye to an item. It was both easy and hard. Early in my marriage (I was married in 1996), I decided to decorate my kitchen and dining room with English ivy. This was inspired by dishes I found at the Skipton market (in England). Through the years, most of the plates and bowls broke - only 1 remains, still going strong 30 years later - knock on wood). All

Yesterday, Tapley handed me a future version of myself. She disguised it as a challenge wrapped in a joke. Heather and I laughed immediately, because Tapley has perfected the art of delivering truth sideways. We had gathered for the first time this year, the three of us resuming the accountability group we’d formed last February. Back then, we met regularly, shared goals, compared progress, and held each other steady. Then 2025 happened. It dug in its claws and dragged us off

As I mentioned in my first 2026 story , one of my 2026 goals is to write a book tentatively titled The Joy Experiment . I know, I know, I know. I have a whole slew of unfinished books I need to finish and no shortage of new book ideas. This is actually a good problem to have as a writer. Now that my muse has come out of hiding, I'm working with her to reignite the prolific writer I was prior to 2016 when my heart broke and my soul crumbled. To put it simply... I'm back! So, w

Today is the day, the Super Bowl. I have been sitting in quiet contemplation ever since the division championships, wondering whether or not I would watch. Seems like a simple decision, but some things are not so simple. In fact, some things are filled with an overwhelming serving of excitement, bitterness, sadness, anger, and confusion. With Diva Daughter at Seahawks game in San Diego. I used to be both a Patriots and a Seahawks fan. Then I gave up the Patriots because I fin

Yep, not even going to try and sugar coat it. I dragged my aging, overweight, out of shape body to the gym today. And it royally sucked. As part of my wellness goals this year, I decided when my foot was healed enough from surgery, I would join the gym. Last week, I graduated from physical therapy and that same day, joined the gym. Go me! I asked ChatGPT to create a training plan for me. I gave it lots of details, as you can see in the prompt to the right. The results it gave

I have never been a fan of New Year's Resolutions. Like so many people, I do well at the start of the year, and then those resolutions fade to black before they are ever fully achieved. I gave up resolutions long ago and leaned into goal setting instead. For some, that may be a matter of semantics, but for me, it feels more purposeful. I love a good check list and a list of goals to strive towards. It is one way to keep me focused and motivated. In 2025, after leaving a toxic

It started with a song, one I know well, have listened to countless times. It was the song that brought Linkin Park onto the stage, and...

June 13, 1985. Do you know what you were doing that day? I sure do. The magic of a first kiss It was my last day of seventh grade and...

When I was young, I was known for my spontaneity. I lived in the moment and loved any crazy adventure that would make a good memory. As I...

It's been a couple years since I've shared any stories here. Lots of excuses for stepping away, but what really matters are the two good...

I don't like dating, but I like being in a relationship, so dating is a necessary evil to get there. I have found that the feelings...

Sunday marked two years since my divorce got the stamp of approval from a judge. Two years. I'm happy to report, it was just another day,...

The transport was late, having suffered a mechanical issue on the long journey from Tennessee. We were all anxious - excited to meet our...

"I think she's a bad influence," my mother said to 15 year old me about my friend Amy C. This memory popped into my head over the weekend...

"As you’re giving it attention, you are now including the vibration of your desire in your current vibration. Your current vibration is...

One of my closest friends is going through a thing right now. Since I'm recovering from a broken heart too, we call upon each other...

I've always been a bit of a drinker. I enjoy the taste of beer and used to joke that I'd lose weight when beer stopped tasting good. I...

Nerds worldwide know March 10 as Mario Day, but this year, MAR 10 meant Kidney Day, a day I both love and hate in equal measure. Kidney...