The Almost-Last Supper in Squamish BC

Friday was my last full day in Squamish visiting my daughter.  After dropping her at the bus station, I worked through my To-Do list but didn’t count on the sun pulling me outside. Doing the laundry was my undoing. Instead of throwing things in the dryer, I scouted for a drying rack in the back [...]

Re-establishing an exercise routine

Last week I woke up to the sound of Andrea working out in the room next to mine.  Because of her knee surgery, she couldn’t walk, hike, run, or climb.  Instead, she focused on lifting weights and isometric stretches… while I slept in and took a leisurely shower. It’s not that I’m in bad shape, [...]

Melting at the spa in Whistler, BC

What does the phrase “Mother’s Day” conjure up in your mind? Here’s a list of my thoughts: Only three days left and I’m in Canada where mail is pokey slow and I didn’t buy my mom a card.  sigh. I’m flying home on Mother’s Day after two glorious weeks with my daughter. This trip wasn’t [...]

Thank you, Taylor Mali, for reminding me I’m a miracle worker

I went to a poetry reading last week. I laughed.  I pondered.  And I walked away inspired. The poet was Taylor Mali, a teacher who chose to leave the classroom and take his poetry readings on tour so he could keep on teaching, but to a different and larger audience.  He has almost accomplished his [...]

The Paint is On the Walls

Celebrations all around!  We have paint on the walls and we’re using the bathroom again.  Just in time, too, because spring weather is calling us outside to get our gardens in shape for summer.  It would feel like a punishment to stay inside painting on warm, sunny days. No more broken wall tiles behind the [...]

Life Lessons for a Late Bloomer

This week, tears are my friend. Bitter, angry, defeated tears.  Heart-filled, hope-filled, empathetic tears.  Passionate, empty-arms, mother-heart tears. Every drop waters the ME that is blooming in grad school. This isn’t what I signed up for. This isn’t in the curriculum. This is part of the process that I am trusting. Saturday’s class The topic [...]

Writing CAN be fun…

I am really tired of writing papers today.  Instead of sacrificing my soul, I will walk away from it all to watch Super Bowl commercials with my husband and our friends, Rich and Jill.  Before we leave, though, I will do some fun writing. I want to show you the progress Steve is making on [...]

Bathroom renovation is always more than you expect…

Warning:  Run away and hide if you hear yourself say, “Let’s paint the bathroom.  That’s a quick project.” We said it several weeks ago. The can of paint is still unopened. First, it took several days to choose the right color… find the torn-out page from a magazine that had the perfect color combination… hold [...]

The end is near (an ode to gardening and grad school)

I picked the last few leaves of spinach and lettuce from my garden today.  The swiss chard turned into brown stubs last week, but the hardier greens stayed perky for me.  I’m looking forward to a spinach and onion omelet for breakfast tomorrow and a fresh salad for tonight’s dinner. *sigh* Did you see my [...]

Asking for help isn’t a bad thing

This morning I read this story in an email from Mikey who provides me with a daily chuckle and sometimes a profound thought.  Please enjoy it along with me, especially if you have a hard time asking for help. today’s”FUNNY”=========================== I’M STILL CARRYING THE PIZZA By Saralee Perel Last week at the supermarket, a young [...]