From diagnosis day in August of 2023 others around me have been calling me a survivor. I have mixed feelings about this. So far, I've been through two surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and now I'm on my second aromatase inhibitor with a plethora of side effects that I struggle to cope with in my current everyday… Continue reading The Complexities of Identifying as a Cancer Survivor
Generation X, currently facing empty nest and retirement, is redefining the three stages of womanhood - maiden, mother, and crone. They embrace each phase with resilience and independence, debunking stereotypes and embracing wisdom with a dash of sass. Embracing the term "crone" as a badge of honor, they continue to rock out at concerts and start new ventures, embodying a renaissance spirit.
Hello friends... Wow, what a year I have had. This past year my milestone age didn't really sink in with all of what that means. I've had a singularity of focus - battling breast cancer. On this last day of this year, I'm feeling like time is catching up with me. Usually when I hit… Continue reading Milestone Reflection: Battling Breast Cancer and Setting Goals for the Future
I'm having a gratitude moment for my husband. He's my favorite person and partner on our humble road of life together. He's been a rockstar with the challenges we've faced this past year in handling everything in our lives and caring for me so that I only had to focus on getting through cancer treatment… Continue reading 10 Reasons Why I Love Being Married to My Amazing Husband
For years I've wanted to re-watch Northern Exposure and finally it's on Amazon Prime Video. I loved that show and would reference it occasionally in conversation, as recent as six months ago. Happy dance it's back!! I finished the re-watch a couple of weeks ago. Through it I was thinking about my experience watching it… Continue reading Revisiting Northern Exposure
Daily writing promptDo you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?View all responses The great thing about reaching middle age and being an empty nester as a GenX’er in my mid 50s is that I’m very skilled at occupying myself with play/fun. And the great thing is that in my present life… Continue reading Bloganuary: Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
The following quote reminds me to be gentler with myself and to understand that illness has things to teach. It serves a purpose. The illness that I currently feel is my body defending and freeing itself from the cancer. I am not my cancer. The cancer is a foreign invader. I am the organism thrashing… Continue reading Embracing the Battle
The Kids Are Alright... If you are a GenXer who's facing an empty nest... If you are/not feeling lonely or lost after your children have left home... I'm here to say after the initial adjustment, life is great and you're not alone. I've been swimming in this new ocean for five years and it's been… Continue reading A GenX Guide to Empty Nest Life
From my little corner of the world travelling down our humble road, on this calm, quiet Mother's Day I am pensive. It's an overcast day but I am surrounded by my comforts, a loving, thoughtful husband, a lifetime of books, nearly 1000 in my personal library, among the other things that bring joy. We don't… Continue reading Walk with Me to the River
I have enjoyed a Verona Vineyard's wines over the past decade, after finding their Rabbit Hash, KY tasting room. I recommend the Petit Verdot. But I had never been to the vineyard until last weekend. I had been looking forward to the guest Colorado chef but we received an email that morning that he was… Continue reading Empty Nest Life: A Visit to Verona Vineyard
I believe in serendipity. Today I was going through paperwork on my desk and found the eulogy that I wrote and delivered to family and friends for my brother's celebration of life just over a year ago. The memories provoked a year ago when I wrote it were intense, and so are my memories today.… Continue reading Serendipity: Finding One’s Self in a Eulogy
I find myself three years since the beginning of the pandemic twenty pounds heavier. When one is height challenged like I am, that's a big deal. With working long hours at a desk at home in close proximity to my refrigerator and not enough physical activity, the pounds crept up one me without me realizing… Continue reading Cosmic Dancer to Cosmic Couch Potato: The Plan to get Rid of My ‘Pandemic Bulge’
Nestled in Cincinnati's Eden Park, Krohn Conservatory is a great place to visit on a spring day. The conservatory is filled with Art Deco details and contemporary art surrounded by plants from around the world. There are several greenhouses to tour, each maintaining different climates for the plants that they house. As a native Cincinnatian… Continue reading An Easter Visit to Krohn Conservatory, Cincinnati
Dinner out a couple of weeks ago was good. Bonefish is reliable for a good Saturday night out. Herbs in Olive Oil with Crusty Bread Ahi Tune Poke Cosmo Old Fashioned House Salad Bacon Mac & Cheese Sirloin & Shrimp, Coleslaw Cold Water Lobster Tails Creamed Spinach
Catawba Island, OH This was not my first visit to Gideon Owen Winery, but it was the best so far. I had a great dinner in one of the glass houses with our friends up north. Even though it was a cold, windy evening, we were toasty in the beautiful setting inside the glass house.… Continue reading A Visit to Gideon Owen Winery & Speakeasy
Our Humble Road 