#JazzFest #Volunteer #NewOrleansJazzandHeritageFestival2022 #StevieNicks The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was first held April 22 – 26th, 1970. It grew to a full eight day, over two week event, six years later. Volunteers can sign up for one or both weekends. After 15 hours of accumulated volunteer’ hours, you are thanked with a Jazz Fest Volunteer t-shirt and a commemorative glass. I signed up to work both weeks with my friend and former coworker, Diane. Her enthusiasm for this Festival is infectious. Over the years I have heard her talk so much about it, I was excited to be invite ..read more

I am grateful to have participated with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2022. The Jazz Fest family showed their gratitude by hosting a volunteers appreciation party at Chickie Wah Wah on Canal Street in New Orleans two weeks after the festival ended. After receiving my invitation, I text my friend, Diane, to invite her to go with me on Saturday. Diane is a longtime volunteer at Jazz Fest. We worked together on and off for over twenty years. Unfortunately, a kidney stone knocked her out of week two of the festival. “Hi, you want to ride down to NOLA for the Jazz Fest thank you party ..read more

I recently spent a week of pure delight with my five year old granddaughter. Her daycare was closed due to several of the staff being out with COVID. Her parents both have to work, so I volunteered to drive to the East Coast to pick her up and bring her to the farm to quarantine. I try to not say anything inappropriate around her and be a bad influence, but I said, “Shut your pie hole,” the last time I visited her in Florida. She promptly said, “That’s not nice to say Maemo,” lovingly correcting me as she wagged her little finger. She’s an old soul. The week flew by. We swam, painted rocks, a ..read more

We recently bought a small twenty-six acre farm. We have beautiful trails through the woods around the perimeter of the property. Periodically, we go out armed with a small chain saw and mower and keep them clean. I am adjusting to country life. I love it, in spite of learning to face my fears on a daily basis. Recently, my fear of snakes and spiders was challenged. The other day my husband burst into the kitchen after returning from mowing the trail that lines our northern property line. “Jackie, I need you to help me with something,” he starts. “I have to take the dogs for a walk in a littl ..read more

As I sip on my morning cup of hot tea struggling to wake early on a Saturday morning, I stare at the TV and hear the news caster tell of budget cuts for mental health funding. This saddens me. I fear for the poor in our country. I have debated government provided healthcare with some of my friends. Some feel it is not the responsibility of government but the responsibility of the community and churches. The basic tenants of Christianity and all major religions, as well as just basic human empathy and decency tell us that it is all our responsibility. Even if you, or someone you love is not ch ..read more

Finding balance in our lives between work, maintaining a home, and nurturing relationships that are important to us, is the key to finding our happy place. It is easy to get out of balance when the demands of life pull us in many directions. What do you do when your funds are limited? There are countless ways to nurture a relationship that you hold dear even when you are on a budget. Here are five date ideas for under $20 that we have tried and it really has brought a closeness between me and my partner. One day we packed a picnic lunch, grabbed a bottle of wine and headed west to watch the h ..read more

“Every cloud has a silver lining,” my grandmother would say. Sometimes it’s hard to see past a broken heart when the pain is fresh and our vision of the world is blurred from the sting. I saw a Facebook post from “Drew’s Tunes” that I love. “Sometimes we can’t choose The Music life gives us— But we Damn sure can Choose how we Dance…” www.LIVELIFEHAPPY.com Letting go of those in my life that broke my heart, family included, and allowing myself freedom from guilt associated with this action, gave back the balance I needed to heal. At that moment of clarity, when all those months of therapy were ..read more

Life happens. Sometimes it will require you to give and give until you are empty. Fighting depression when you are empty is not an easy task. Refilling yourself allows you to reconnect with others, and can help alleviate depression. Think of a pitcher of water. The pitcher represents your body. The water represents your spirit. In a healthy relationship, you pour your spirits gently back and forth with your loved one, nurturing each other with acts of kindness, tolerance, and love. Developing a hobby can also lift your spirit. A good hobby will make you get up and move, concentrate your thou ..read more

I believe we have a responsibility for our own happiness. That said, sometimes life happens. If you haven't had life happen to you yet, it's because you haven't lived long enough. When it does happen, you might become depressed. I am a strong person. I share my stories of struggle because I am strong enough to not worry about water cooler chatter. I am strong enough to share what worked in my case and I hope it encourages someone else that may be experiencing a similar challenging situation. Depression doesn't care how much money you have or don't have. Depression does not care what our skin c ..read more

#newbeginnings #art #artbyjacquelinewhiteivey #lightandlove How many times have you started a new direction in your professional life? Have you worked one job your whole life? What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?      According to Monstor.com 96% of workers are looking for a new job in 2023. 53% of Americans quit their job in 2021 and changed occupation or field of work according to CNBC reporter, Michelle Fox, from an analysis from Pew Research March 9, 2022.      I retired from Occupational Therapy, after working as a COTA for over 26 ..read more