There was something big that appeared in my life back in 2018 that I wonder how many other people have experienced or have inherently known all along - joy can exist beside pain. That was the year I lost my mother and met my husband. I was in my own year of magical thinking. Profound… Continue reading The Coexistence of Joy and Pain
Category: Self Care
Life Isn’t Fair – But It’s Still Worth Living
From childhood, when I began to have agency, I was strident about the wrongs I saw in life, from the small things to the big things. Hypocrisy and deliberate wrongdoing grated me to my bones. And I saw it everywhere. Over time I got used to seeing people succeeding who cheated or people who hurt… Continue reading Life Isn’t Fair – But It’s Still Worth Living
Home Security Upgrades in Our 1914 Bungalow
Since we have lived in our little house, we have been making updates as problems have arisen. I bought this house in 2018 and within weeks had a furnace that didn't work when the first cold snap appeared. Thankfully that was just a repair. Since then we've had to replace the hot water heater, repair… Continue reading Home Security Upgrades in Our 1914 Bungalow
Finding Peace in Everyday Moments
There’s a moment, usually sometime between the end of the day and the beginning of the evening, when everything finally goes quiet. Not the kind of quiet you get from shutting a door or turning off a TV — the deeper kind, the one that shows up when your mind stops sprinting and your heart… Continue reading Finding Peace in Everyday Moments
Surviving January: Tales from a Cold and Challenging Month
“A raw, honest look at surviving a brutally hard January—old house problems, chronic pain, financial strain, and the grit it takes to keep going. A GenX story of resilience, community, and finding hope in the mess.”
Unplugging and Recharging: Finding Solace in Simplicity
Recognizing When It's Time to Step Back and Rediscover Balance On the heels of a busy holiday season, I transition into my busiest season at work - Q1. From November through April the rhythm of daily life beats relentlessly on and demands seem ceaseless. With my new normal, living with the side effects of cancer… Continue reading Unplugging and Recharging: Finding Solace in Simplicity
Embracing the Winter Solstice: A Time for Reflection
The winter solstice is here, December 21, 2025. It's what I like to call the long winter's night. The nadir of the natural world. I once read, to paraphrase, that it's the ending, the death, of the cycle of life. Celebrating solstices is among the oldest traditions and rituals known to humans, along with storytelling… Continue reading Embracing the Winter Solstice: A Time for Reflection
What Are the Algorithims Trying to Tell Me?
What is the world trying to tell me? Robert Frost is popping into my scroll today. Maybe the algorithm is saying, hey you, yeah you, you are not going to ignore feelings. And I'm just - I can't. But that f&*(er is being persistent, and he is all about deep diving into the ethos of… Continue reading What Are the Algorithims Trying to Tell Me?
Facing Cancer and Loss: Reflections on Family Bonds
Since March of 2022 I have lost two siblings, Larry to Covid-19 and Becky to pancreatic cancer, and now within this past month two brothers have become gravely ill. And others have serious health issues that they live with on the daily. This is life in middle age. I love being from a big family… Continue reading Facing Cancer and Loss: Reflections on Family Bonds
When Others Make You Feel Not Good Enough
We've all had those moments - sometimes fleeting, other times painfully persistent - when someone's words or actions make us doubt our own value. It can come from a seemingly innocuous comment, a comparison to someone else, or an outright criticism. Suddenly, it leaves you questioning if you measure up, if you're worthy, if you… Continue reading When Others Make You Feel Not Good Enough
Gratitude Month: Welcoming November’s Thankfulness
November marks Gratitude Month, a time for reflection and appreciation in the cozy atmosphere of autumn. Emphasizing gratitude's significance, the writer shares personal goals like keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks, and fostering community gratitude. They suggest various practices to deepen gratitude, encouraging a culture of kindness and connection.
Life Hacks for Tackling Aromatase Inhibitor Side Effects
My Attempts to Outsmart My Breast Cancer Meds I'm sharing the real real of what it takes to try to mitigate daily side effects because of a comment on my last post. If there is some way I may possibly pay it forward from my experience, I am humbled by the opportunity. Let's be honest:… Continue reading Life Hacks for Tackling Aromatase Inhibitor Side Effects
Tea Time Reflections: Finding Strength in Community and Renewal
This week, the author reflects on the comforting ritual of tea as fall approaches, symbolizing renewal after treatment for cancer. They express gratitude for community support, including a touching encounter with a young girl at a church festival who offered a prayer. Amidst exploring gardening and local living, they seek new tea suggestions.
Silent Threads: Cancerversary, Breast Cancer, Trauma, and Healing
Hey everyone, it’s my cancerversary. I’m officially a two-year breast cancer survivor today. This warrior is still fighting the good fight but today is a day to celebrate. Health update (for those who’ve asked, skip if TMI for you): I’ve had laser surgery on my right eye, and the left one will be done early… Continue reading Silent Threads: Cancerversary, Breast Cancer, Trauma, and Healing
The Gift That Keeps Giving
So, I just came home from my annual eye exam. Easy peasy. One would think. Strike that. Who am I kidding? Life never gives me easy peasy. The eye exam with the tech was going on as usual. Eye puff, check. Reading a chart to the minuscule, check. Looking at dots, check. Getting weird yellow… Continue reading The Gift That Keeps Giving
The Double-Edged Sword of Nostalgia
Hello, everyone... I'm 156 years old and I have been listening to post punk / alternative for 87 years, and this song, this song that found me via Mobland, has saved my life. This band is pure, raw talent. Please enjoy it along with this newest post. https://youtu.be/P5iNkBw9K74?si=P9IyPagR0CR36dbF Down the Rabbit Hole Today I need… Continue reading The Double-Edged Sword of Nostalgia
Must-Watch Series for Breast Cancer Survivors
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, the author sought comfort and insight through documentaries, movies, and series. Initially, they felt disassociated from the reality of their diagnosis, relying on emotional shutdown to cope. They found solace in films like "Ordinary Love" and "Wit," but avoided emotionally overwhelming content. The author learned to trust their medical team and support system, focusing on necessary tasks. Recently, they revisited the series "The Big C," which prompted deep emotional discussions and reflections on their journey. The author emphasizes the importance of humor and emotional release, recommending "The Invention of Lying" for its comedic relief. They also highlight the need for therapy beyond support groups and the significance of planning for the future, despite their Stage 2 diagnosis. The author concludes by praising "The Big C" for its sensitivity and humor, recommending it to others.
Does Cold Weather Really Make You Sick?
It's seems like every year I get into a conversation about seasonal illnesses that crop up this time of year. My mom used to say things like "you'll catch your death out in that cold" and "bundle up so you don't get sick." Are these just wives tales or is there something to it? I… Continue reading Does Cold Weather Really Make You Sick?
Surviving Holiday Stress: A Guide for the Grinch in All of Us
The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, peace, and goodwill. But for some of us, they can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and frustration. Whether it's the pressure of finding the perfect gifts, the hassle of traveling, the awkwardness of family gatherings, or the unrealistic expectations of social media, the… Continue reading Surviving Holiday Stress: A Guide for the Grinch in All of Us
Choosing Happiness Now: Embracing Life’s Journey
I have been guilty of mentally thinking of life will be better when throughout my life, in some phases more than others. There have been times when it seemed to me that life was about to start - real life. but there was always some obstacle in the way, some thing to be gotten through… Continue reading Choosing Happiness Now: Embracing Life’s Journey
Our Humble Road 