Just Because
A Bumpy Ride
Tomorrow is the inauguration. I’m trying my best not to dwell in the negative, but we’ve lived through the presidency of this man before, and I’m more scared now for what’s to come. Part of that is because this time, I’m better informed. Reading—always something important to me—has been first on my list lately, and…
Read MoreNo Words for the New Year 3
A huge sigh left my mouth this morning when Arnold, one of our cats, licked the shell of my ear before batting around the earbuds sitting on the side table. New year, new behavior? Not for this guy. He wanted me to get up and get him some food. And since it was 5:59 a.m.,…
Read MoreHappy Holidays and Thank Goodness for Sertraline
I cannot remember the last time I sent a holiday card. It probably wasn’t that long ago—I usually try to get at least a few out to people who don’t use email or social media—but my sense of time is so skewed these days. Blame menopause or (and?) COVID, as both have been bears to…
Read MoreSaga of the Great Toe, Part III
The last time I wrote about my great toe was way back in February 2013, long before I had this site. Then, I mostly wrote about whatever my day involved, and you, lucky readers, got to ride along. Now I know a few of you steadfast warriors made the jump with me from Heptadecagon, and…
Read MoreWriting Prompt: World Social Media Day
Blogging used to be the first thing I did each day. Putting words on the page, many of them as a way to ease my soul or work through whatever was spinning inside my head. Now, I still write for those reasons, but most of my words end up in a book or essay. That’s…
Read MoreOn the Occasion of What Would Have Been Her Seventy-Ninth Birthday
Dear Mom, Today you would have turned seventy-nine! In an ideal world, you’d still be alive and mostly healthy (or as healthy as a person of that age can be, which is pretty healthy). I’d call you up, ask chat with you for a while, wish you Happy Birthday, and maybe send some flowers. Dad…
Read MoreNo Words for the New Year 2
For several years in a row, I put together a “Words for the New Year” post, one that helped guide me through the year. I wasn’t unique in this practice. A lot of people choose one word to hold onto as their north star for the year. I tended to choose a quote. But last…
Read MoreThe Great Barometer
Mom didn’t like talking about menstruation, but she did tell me at least one thing: If you’re lucky enough to have a regular cycle, chart it so you won’t be taken unawares. I’m sure she didn’t specifically use those words (Mom would never say “taken unawares,” but that’s what came to mind when I sat…
Read MoreSorry, We’re Closed
If there’s one thing I’m really good at, it’s turning inward and shutting people out. The behavior isn’t to punish the other person because I’m holding a grudge—it’s to allow me time to make sense of my surroundings and the information that’s overwhelming me. It’s my thinking time, my time to plan an attack, my…
Read MoreCleaning Day
The above picture popped up when I searched for “clean” on Pixabay. My intent with the search? To find a picture to represent what I felt like doing today: cleaning. The picture isn’t quite what I was going for, but honestly, it made me laugh, and really, who reads this blog anyway? Especially one where…
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