The new year is a time of reflection for me. I look back over the past year, think about the life I am currently living and consider what I want to improve. I don’t make resolutions, but I do spend time thinking about the meaning I want to give my existence and what I hope to leave behind. My children gifted Rob and I with a Storyworth subscription. Rob and I gifted his father and mine with Storyworth as well. The way this gift works is we each answer a question each week and then at the end of the year receive a copy of our life story. So far I am enjoying the process and telling stories abou ..read more

Calling all readers! Sharing the books I’ve read this year is a favorite of mine. Thinking that I might be responsible for introducing other readers to new texts delights me. Here you will find what I read in 2023–some are newer releases, others are older. The following list includes all the books I’ve read in 2023 and is in no particular order, aside from the first one. Demon Copperhead was one of the most powerful books I read this year and one I hope everyone will pick up. Learn more about the Opiod epidemic and the life of a less-than-fortunate young man and how he navigates a world that i ..read more

The Medical Incident: In early December I flew back east to spend time with my older daughter, Hannah who was 32 weeks pregnant with twins. She has had a tough pregnancy. I spent the week caring for my daughter as well as lending a hand with my granddaughter, Ellie. I told my husband how grateful I was for this time. It’s rare that I get to spend a few days just focusing on Hannah and I enjoyed every second. Unfortunately, Hannah began to feel ill again. One day, she was just very tired, the next day she was vomiting bile because of high liver values, cholestatis. Her OB wanted her to be obser ..read more

Entitled People: Think rules don’t apply to them. Because this individual believes they are more important than everyone else, they will disregard any rules that hinder them getting what they want. They won’t follow directions on how to complete jobs, will disregard waiting their turn, and will ignore any other rules. These same people, however, are quick to point out when others don’t follow rules and inconvenience them. This morning I swam laps as I usually do on Friday mornings. Then I spent some time in the hot tub. One of my favorite ways to treat myself after swimming is a few min ..read more

What if the pine trees standing tall on your favorite trail tops gently swaying from the breeze they are protecting you from were also there to bear witness to the tears you quietly let slide into the soil?   If they heard your cries on those difficult days and began to sing together an offering of solace. Like they did the time I moved 2000 miles from home and felt so alone longing for all the things I had left behind.   Or when Jamie died and only one friend allowed the world to stop for a moment so I could scream into the darkness deep into the horrible void death leaves behind. S ..read more

Over the coming year I will periodically post a ‘book review’ section with reading recommendations. I always have at least one book going and another four or five waiting on my nightstand. My literary taste fluctuates flowing between non-fiction and fiction. My requirements for sharing a book with you is it needs to be a ‘ripping read’ as my friend Sara describes it. The book must also have excellent writing and elements that make me think or even introduce me to a different perspective. I enjoy books that take their time letting a story unfold and allow the reader to infer versus feeling ever ..read more

I’ve been experimenting with a different style of creative expression and story-telling. From time to time, I’ll share that work here. Walls I walked through the empty Hallways Everything so clean Rooms looking large Kissing the walls Resting my hands on the surface.   I said thank you. Thank you for sheltering me For standing strong When I fell apart The one thing I could count On remaining the same I thought.   I said thank you But I’m sorry it’s time for me to go And time for you to shelter someone else Inside these walls. I began to cry I wanted to leave   But I had forgotte ..read more

A well-known man in our small town committed suicide this past week. I did not know him, but almost everyone I know did. He left behind a wife and children and a thriving business that many have defined as the heart of our community. From what I’ve read, his death was a complete shock, unexpected in every way. I live in Boulder County, an area that is often ranked one of the best places to live in the United States. We are banked by the foothills to the west and the plains to the east. Snow melts quickly even after big dumps, and the area is rich in outdoor activities and open spaces in which ..read more

A few weeks ago, I hiked alone to Greeley Ponds, well just a quarter mile short of the ponds. It’s not the easy going trail I remembered, having been rerouted after Hurricane Irene in 2011. This new trail involves about 1000 feet or more of climbing and I realize my legs are trashed from the previous two days. Solo hiking is something I’ve enjoyed for over 16 years. Time to be alone with my thoughts and listen to the sound of the wind. I couldn’t wait to spend three days alone on trails I know well. This time was different. The first part of the trail was still flat. I took my time, kicking ..read more

Those of us that love this quaint valley see something that others don’t. Waterville Valley isn’t for everyone. The ski mountain is small, trails short with crowds at the base and season passes are expensive. There isn’t a lot to do in this little New Hampshire town and dining options are few. Shopping in town square is an exercise in tourist crap and aside from the opportunity to buy a sweatshirt if the weather turns, you might not find what you need. There is a deli, small convenience store and once upon a time there was a wonderful little coffee shop, but that is gone. When my ex and I di ..read more