“It’s a real easy walk.” the ranger reassured me when I entered the park. Well, one man’s easy is another woman’s challenge dujour. Broad and gently sloping, level footing, the walk started out fine. A picnic table appeared right when I needed a rest. The next 1/4 mile proved pleasant enough, but no more places …
Water, Words, & Grief
The simple sentences from these grieving parents touched me like poems. From The Daily 360° from nytimes.com Miguel: I've had a lot of problems on the water and the land. I recently lost my daughters... I used to think only of fish when I came out here. Now I see my daughter's faces in the …
Movie Legends Ascend to the Firmament
Farewell my Princess I wish this awesome girl hero had come along when I was even younger- but even in college years she was inspiring. When did we ever see such a kick ass heroine in space? Leia opened the door for Ellen Ripley of Aliens, Captain Janeway, even Buffy. [BREAKING NEWS: DEBBIE REYNOLDS DIES, 1 DAY …
Finding the Right Words… Part 1
Dear Readers, Since the election on November 8 I have started and bailed on 4 posts, unable to wrap my head/thoughts/words around the election of the 45th president. I'm going to do my best to weave those aborted essays into something coherent, so I can move on. Here's Part 1. The verse is from a poem by …
12 Steps to Living with the Election Results
Dear readers: I have started several posts since last week's election results and haven't decided which impassioned essays will live or die. In the mean time, I come bearing gifts, this one from Nicholas Kristof of the (notoriously liberal) NY Times. Link to complete original article Traumatized by the election results, many Americans are asking: What …
Continue reading "12 Steps to Living with the Election Results"
A Clouded View
When I come downstairs in the morning I open the door for my two critters, who trot happily out the door. They always greet the day with tails held high, so delighted to greet the world. I sip my coffee and come to consciousness more slowly. In fact I'm cautious how I approach the day. Will I …
The Rocket’s Red Glare
"... in the frightened months after Sept. 11, the myth of violence was more powerful than the truth of war."
My Heart Flow with the Waters
I live on a lovely little bay off the Potomac River, downstream from Washington, DC. It's alive with turtles and catfish and migrating water birds. Bald eagles nest in the woods nearby, along with osprey, woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks and many other birds. But my bay, and the larger Chesapeake, is choked with foul rotting algae much …
How to “Not-go” to that Dark Place
“You have to not-turn to anger, not-turn to resentment.” That advice comes from a man who spent 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, to kids who find themselves entangled in the juvenile justice system. He's helping them know themselves through writing, and to learn to manage their chaotic lives and hopefully survive the system. Stay I was …
Share Some Self-Love this Valentine’s
This beautiful card and others like it are on sale just in time for Valentines Day, in an effort to promote more genuine self appreciation. How about a self-love Valentine this year? While it may be true that there are certain, say, presidential candidates who don't need encouragement in this area, most of the people I …