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It can be challenging to share the world With those who make different choices All the more reason to stay involved And to stand up with our voices. The devastating fires in January Were humbling, making us more reflective Reminding us how fast life can change and Helping us put things into perspective. Channeling KippersContinue reading “Happy Holidays 2025”

Though originating in prehistoric times, today this gesture still serves the same purpose. That is to express gratitude, love, and respect, to commemorate important dates, and to fulfill social responsibilities while strengthening bonds between people. Although the tokens involved may have changed, the meaning behind them has not. And this time of year, with holidaysContinue reading “Most Treasured”

Looking for a way to beat holiday stress this season? If so, I have a suggestion. It’s one that will boost your mood as well as your spirits and may evoke feelings of comfort and joy. It’s something you can share with family and friends of all ages. It may even strengthen your bonds andContinue reading “Oh, What Fun It Is”

Festivity is in the air! Yes, December is here!  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa take place this month, as well as holidays that include Bodhi, Las Posadas, and Omisoka. Buddhists rejoice in Bodhi, the Day of Awakening, when Siddhartha Gautama commonly known as Buddha attained enlightenment. It is a prayerful meditative day in which trees are decoratedContinue reading “One Moment in Time”

All I have to do is open my eyes in the morning, slip quietly out of bed, pad to the bathroom, wash my face, brush my teeth, then head down the hallway to our kitchen, flick on the kettle, open the blinds, and look out at the dawning day to remind myself of how trulyContinue reading “Blessings of Gratitude”

Some people have just one, not me. Over my lifetime, I’ve had dozens or more precisely, one that has continually changed and evolved. Many folks write one when they’ve had a life altering experience, good or otherwise, or perhaps when they retire. It makes perfect sense because those are times when a person may realizeContinue reading “Think Big”

It’s easy in every way, but one. The only hard part is keeping a lid on it until the appointed time. That’s because when the symphony of savory and herbaceous smells waft throughout our house, especially after each ingredient has been playing their part then blending with others, it’s tempting to open it. It’s downrightContinue reading “Low and Slow”

An extra hour of sleep, decluttering spaces in our house, and welcoming cool, crisp, and cozy days and nights, all mean one thing. It’s November! Hooray! I’m anticipating these joys, as well as three special days ahead. First, Election Day. Offering the chance to select our representatives and to have a say in the lawsContinue reading “Adult Child’s Play”

No matter what, it happens every October. This is when I am guaranteed a few restless nights. Evenings when I toss and turn, when my mind twirls and whirls, when I glance at the clock every hour until the first morning’s light. No matter how much thought I’ve already put into it, or how muchContinue reading “Because of Stingy Jack”

Whether saving up for a down payment on a house, earning a PhD, or waiting for a Chinese bamboo tree to reach 90 feet in height, they all take about the same amount of time. Five years. While these are the outward results, hard work and much effort went into and were needed for themContinue reading “Keep On Keeping On”

When I taught school, each year began with a day of teacher training. Presenters came in to talk to our staff about subjects like team building, new teaching methods, and personal development. One time, we all met in our school’s multi-purpose room and the question posed by our facilitator was, “Who was your most influential teacherContinue reading “Time Well Spent”

Only a week into October and I’ve got pumpkins on my mind. They’re literally everywhere! Lining walkways up to houses, overflowing in bins at local supermarkets, and populating patches in every city in our county. Stores feature them in holiday displays, coffee shops entice patrons with pumpkin flavored ones, and fall festivals adorn booths withContinue reading “A Little Lift”

Jane Grigson, the English cookbook author and food columnist of the late 20th century characterized it as “no more than a closet of juicy seeds”. Poets around the world have referred to its seeds as ruby-red gems, and award-winning baker Kate Lebo wrote, “Cracking one open feels like lifting the lid on a jewelry box.”Continue reading “Arils of the Punica Granatum”

I’m usually quite agreeable, but I have to take issue with a song that the American pop duo Karen and Richard Carpenter released in 1971 entitled “Rainy Days and Mondays”. I don’t object to either, but it’s the refrain “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” that I find questionable. Mondays? Well, maybe whenContinue reading “Let it Rain”

When buying things these days, there are three questions that most often come to mind. They are, is it supportive, is it comfortable, and maybe most importantly, is it machine washable? Yes, this where I am in my life now. I no longer want to make-do, settle for, or fuss with anything that isn’t justContinue reading “Pillow Talk”

Thirty-five years ago today, Robert and I, along with our families and close friends were sailing aboard The Majestic Princess in Boston Harbor at sunset as we exchanged our vows. Time sure passes fast! And around this time last year, I posted Good Advice, words of wisdom my relatives offered at my bridal shower allContinue reading “A Long Way”

No matter how much I enjoy the warm sunshiny summer, I adore the cool crisp autumn, too. Changes abound! New landscape shades, new harvest offerings, new fall practices. Hello September! So glad you’re here. This month, I’m looking forward to attending the last of our outdoor jazz concerts, wearing my warm fuzzy sweaters, and samplingContinue reading “Time for Calm”

There’s no mistaking the recognizable Dun Dun Dun Dun song, that simple tune with a two-note ostinato composed and conducted by John Williams. Evoking feelings of suspense and excitement while conjuring up scary images, it can only belong to one movie. That movie is one I recently watched again in celebration of its 50th yearContinue reading “Summer Cinema”

You’d be hard pressed to go through one day, perhaps even one hour, without hearing or seeing ads on any of your devices touting the benefits of lightening up. These messages are usually aimed at what we eat, exercise we do, or maybe even the clothes we wear. Just this morning, I received an emailContinue reading “Lighten Up!”

Around for centuries, they’ve been a part of beauty routines and rituals throughout the world. Ancient Egyptians made theirs from clay, sometimes adding a touch of milk and honey. Similarly, mud ones were common in Greece. Romans were known to prepare theirs with eggs, yogurt, flower petals, and cocoa butter. In India, herbs, oils, andContinue reading “Face Value”

The bookend to June is here. Yes, the last month of summer has arrived. Greetings August! The goldenrods and salvia are in bloom. Tomatoes, zukes, and peppers are ready for harvest. The last chance for summer getaways is upon us. This month is also filled with many quirky holidays. National Water Balloon Day, Sandcastle Day,Continue reading “Write Away!”

Last June I posted “Not Just for Kids” a piece about the joys of summer reading. And as the title suggests, it was a nod to adults to take part in this warm weather activity as well. Teachers often encourage their students to keep up and hone their reading skills over the summer, why shouldn’tContinue reading “Summer Reading”

I was reminded of a popular 70’s song by a Canadian rock group called the Five Man Electric Band last month while attending a local No Kings rally. If you’re a Baby Boomer you may recall the tune lead singer Les Emmerson penned while traveling Route 66 on a trek from Canada to Los Angeles.Continue reading “Signs of the Time”

While their time to shine is usually two months away, ours have been starring in many dishes at home as of late. Adding crunch, sweetness, and a slightly tart flair to salads, baked goods, and smoothies, this round yellow rose blushed fruit with its crisp flesh has been plentiful this past month. Botanically classified asContinue reading “How Do You Like Them?”

Here in the states, we just celebrated the Fourth of July, the holiday that marks the adoption of our Declaration of Independence established in 1776. Parades, street fairs, backyard BBQs, and picnics are just a few fun events people participated in, followed by firework displays that showered the dark evening skies amazing spectators of allContinue reading “Up Against the Wall”

E is for…excited, exhilarated, and elated! I am feeling all three lately because of another e. And that e is for…e-bikes! Although Robert accepted that we’ve been at a crossroad for a while, I’ve been reluctant to admit it. But in reality, we haven’t hit the trails on our Pivots since the pandemic ended. AndContinue reading “Whee!”

I find it hard to part with anything beloved. It might be a pair of shoes like my taupe Anne Klein Fabulist Pointed Toe Pumps that I bought to wear to a wedding ten years ago, the ones I was sure I’d strut around in attending other events, but no. They only saw the lightContinue reading “Oh Joy!”

So much happened this past weekend. Some news was pleasantly uplifting like people coming together to express themselves at peaceful protests, and honoring dads in fun ways on Father’s Day. But some news was deeply upsetting like the traded air strikes between Israel and Iran, and the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses.Continue reading “Brighter Days”

Sixty percent of it is made of fat and the other 40% consists of water, salts, carbohydrates, and proteins. One of the most complex organs in our body, it looks similar to a walnut of all things! And although it weighs only three pounds, make no mistake, it is a powerhouse! Its job encompasses manyContinue reading “A No-Brainer”

Walking one chilly morning last week, I saw low clouds hugging the surrounding mountains shrouding them in gray. Fragrant blooming flowers and the smell of freshly cut grass greeted us as we strolled through neighborhoods. And when we passed by our local elementary school, we heard kids laughing and shrieking. It made me smile. AllContinue reading “Take Five”

I still have the poster from the event. A rare, if not once in a lifetime concert was held in my hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at a baseball park no less. Frankly, I was surprised when I heard about it. It’s not like these big-time musicians, legends really, were doing a gig at say theContinue reading “Twice in a Lifetime”

From my journal: March 19, 1993, Rolling Hills Estates, California “Spring rain…love it, so cleansing. Cool & fresh. Makes the world look like a watercolor painting…the renewing season!” Well into spring now, summer is almost knocking at our door. Whenever I see what’s on horizon, I take note to experience all I can before the nextContinue reading “Spring Things”

For the last leg of our South Africa trip, we boarded the Southern African Airlink at the Kruger Mpumalanaga Airport and arrived at the Cape Town International Airport about three hours later. Renting a car, we bumped along the N2 and 20 minutes later the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront came into view. Against the backdropContinue reading “…And Who You Share Your Time With”

Known for its bounty of beautiful blossoms, the season for planting seeds and watching them grow, and that special day for honoring one of the most important people in our lives, May is here! Named after the Greek Goddess Maia, this celestial being is associated with nature, gardening, and motherhood, all wonderful things to celebrateContinue reading “Four A’s of Gratitude”

From my journal: May 28, 2008, Timbavati, South Africa “30-minute flight on Chilli Peppers Charter to Djuma Game Reserve, short drive to Vuyatela Lodge…beautiful place…at our welcome lunch met Timothy & Linda from Kansas, Julie & James honeymooners from the UK, Sebastian & Estelle, both young doctors from France, & Raphael & his mom, EstherContinue reading “…It’s What You Experience…”

Anxiously waiting to get a shot at my SoCal doctor’s office years ago, I remember perking up when I saw Joan, the medical assistant, showing a co-worker an album filled with photos and hearing her describing a trip she had just taken. Wanting to focus on anything but why I was there, I began eavesdropping.Continue reading “It’s Not Just Where You Go…”

Eighteen years ago, in January of 2007, Robert relocated to the U.K.  I, however, remained in California. I was a tenured 5th grade teacher working at our neighborhood elementary school. While I planned on joining Robert that summer, that’s not what happened. After our winter session resumed, I was talking to my principal, Martha, whenContinue reading “Not Set in Stone”

Passover, Easter, and Earth Day. Find a Rainbow Day, Pajama Day, and National Scrabble Day. Warmer weather, longer days, and rain showers to bring May flowers. Ah! There is much to enjoy this month. Greetings April! Spring has arrived, ushering in the season of rejuvenation, renewal, and reinvigoration. And after committing to my March’s self-careContinue reading “Raising My Glass”

It doesn’t matter how old I am. Opening a yellow and green box of them offers a trip down memory lane. Untucking the top flap and peering inside at the waxy round sticks wrapped in matching colored paper, always makes me smile. Originally sold 8 per box, today you can buy them in packs of 24,Continue reading “The Color of Fun”

I know I am on the verge when I begin to lose focus. I can be reading lines of an article online or a paragraph in a book when I notice I’ve read the same sentences over and over without comprehending anything. Then I begin to notice my eyelids getting heavier along with my armsContinue reading “5 Winks”

If you relish corned beef and cabbage, beer, dancing the jig, bagpipe music, parades, and wearing green, today is your day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!  This holiday was established in the 5th century on March 17th to pay homage to the patron saint of Ireland. Once a religious celebration, today it is aContinue reading “Sláinte!”

It began over one hundred years ago. Since then, it has been repealed, reinstated, renamed, revised, and reestablished, and it’s still as unpopular as ever! What began in Germany in the May of 1916 as a way to conserve fuel during World War I, made its way to the U.S. two years later. And althoughContinue reading “Seize It!”

This month is known for coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb. Here in Southern California the transition is a little less dramatic, but it’s something to be happy about, nonetheless. Happy March to you! Notable days this month include honoring Irish immigrants and their contributions to American culture, celebrating AlbertContinue reading “Stronger Everyday”

I was so excited about accepting my first teaching job after receiving my credentials, but I was also so…nervous. Mrs. N. was leaving on maternity leave and would not return for the balance of the year. Even though this was a long-term sub position, it was my first chance to prove myself, to practice allContinue reading “Apples and Oranges”

In deciding what to write about this week I had this thought, “On average, how many decisions does a person make in a day?” What’s your guess?  100, 200, 500…more?  Yes, I know I have the luxury of thinking about such things now. Being retired I have more time to think, to do things, andContinue reading “Decisions, Decisions!”

Going to parties, celebrations, work shindigs, bashes, barbeques, happy hours, restaurants, theaters, movies, shops, family gatherings, concerts, reunions, weddings, graduations, shows, museums, basketball games, baseball games, hockey games, tennis matches, ski resorts, bike meets, running events, charity functions, going on vacations, sight-seeing tours, getaways, and more. Fun get togethers, with a few people, with aContinue reading “JOMO”

I’m ready to welcome in a new month. Ready to shift gears. Ready for healing to begin. The devastating Southern California fires, the changes already implemented by the new White House administration, and the ratcheted-up political Blame Game, all have been overwhelming. Sad. Too much. Flipping my calendar to February, I feel ready for change.Continue reading “Stepping it Up”

With the recent Southern California fires just getting under control, feelings of loss, sadness, and devastation remain understandably heavy on the hearts of so many. Accompanying this weight is also the desire for comfort. That easing of painful feelings. Some relief from all the grief. While these fire events have been extremely traumatic, the wishContinue reading “Relief from Grief”

Last month I was scouting around for titles to suggest for our next book club meeting. In addition to my usual sources, I checked Maria Shriver’s online publication The Sunday Paper for recommendations. I knew I’d find something inspiring in its “Get Lit” section. There I came across Pema Chodron’s When Things Fall Apart: HeartContinue reading “One Way”

It happened again. This past week we awoke to the sound of silence and realized our power was out. I wrote about the last time in my post “Unplugged” on December 16, 2024. While then I looked for the upside of being without power, this experience has been much different. Although our electricity has now beenContinue reading “Loss”

As soon as the countdown begins, 10-9-8…I am ready to welcome in the new year! No matter what happened in the previous 12 months, there’s always so much to look forward to!  Day One begins with watching the Tournament of Roses Parade from the comfort of a recliner with hot coffee in hand. All theContinue reading “Taking Care This Year”

Sometimes we experience flashbacks of the show. Like waiting in a line for an eternity and feeling overlooked, one of us might say, “Remember the Chinese restaurant episode?” Or when ordering soup when out to eat, we may chuckle and say, “No soup for you!” Or when walking to our car after shopping, we mightContinue reading “For the Rest of Us”

With our presidential election decided Some are elated, others enraged Perhaps this is an important reason We all need to stay engaged. While it may seem difficult to reconcile And put our differences aside Maybe it’s a way we can begin To bridge the gap in our divide. At home we love being retired OurContinue reading “Season’s Greetings 2024”

It was the sound of silence that woke me one morning last week. No white noise from my sound machine and no gentle rumble of the heat turning on throughout our house. Startled, I looked over to check the time. No numbers were lit on our analog our clock. Bolting upright, I knew this couldContinue reading “Unplugged”

Why do I, or should I say we do it? Especially given there are a few sound reasons not to. Number one, it’s time consuming. Second, it’s dangerous, and number three, it’s short lived. If I had to guess, I’d say it takes a total of fifteen hours to complete the task and another fiveContinue reading “Deck the Halls”

Colorful lights strung along the eaves of homes twinkling bright in the dark of night. Sticky sweet peppermint candy canes swirling around in mugs of hot chocolate. Pine scented candles glowing and enlivening rooms with the smell of Christmas trees. Toasty warmth emanating from orange yellow flames dancing in fireplaces. Carols and noels we knowContinue reading “Rock On!”

Just three days away, Thanksgiving is almost here. While many look forward to gatherings with family and friends around a table sharing a festive meal and enjoying traditions like watching the Macy’s Day Parade, cooking food together, and rooting for a favorite football team, I like Thanksgiving for another reason. It gives me time toContinue reading “Blessings”

Sustenance of life, food is the source of strength and nourishment. Not only do I love the taste of food, but the look, the aroma, the texture, and the sounds associated with eating like a good snap, crunch, or “‘uumm” as its being consumed. I enjoy food thoroughly!  Lucky for me, my dad was aContinue reading “Good Food Good Mood”

Now that the cooler weather has taken hold, I am spending more time in the kitchen. Simmering scents of stocks, soups, and stews constantly fill the room. Cooking means planning, planning means prep work, and prep work means finding the right tool for the job. Looking for a thingamabob the other day, I opened aContinue reading “GOATs in Our Kitchen”

Seeing vibrant red, yellow, and orange leafed trees against a backdrop of purple mountains, attending a fall festival fundraiser called the Apple Squeeze in a quaint town center, and spending time on the east coast with family sharing food, news, and memories around dining room tables were a few highlights of my October. What aContinue reading “Piece of Art, Peace of Mind”

From my journal: December 10, 2012, Newbury Park, California “Bought a shiny gold box for everyone on our team and a few for staff…pretty holiday store displays…and the smell…so sweet…!” Is it possible that a treat often described as rich, decadent, and even luxurious can actually be good for you?  Or is it that IContinue reading “A Little Good News”

Scenario One: Lights are down low, soft fleece blankets cover us on our outstretched leather recliners. Fresh popcorn in bowls and drinks in tall glasses sit on side tables within reach. Our beagle lies on the rug chewing a treat while warmth emanates from our fireplace. A large black screen on the wall above theContinue reading “Time for Hygge”

So far, this is how it’s added up. 145,766 words 5,198 revisions 3,120 hours 208 posts 17 themes From my journal: October 20, 2020, Newbury Park, California “Scheduled my first two blog posts- yay! Feeling more comfortable with the format and content…long time coming…it’s now a reality!” When I realized that I have been writingContinue reading “A Note to You”

Leaf peeping, sampling goodies at food festivals, sipping on pumpkin spice lattes, baking apple crumbles, and celebrating fall holidays all mean…October is here! I’m looking forward to taking part in these events, as well as my next Quest for Calm experience. It combines an activity I do every day and one that has been aContinue reading “One Step At a Time”

Autumn is officially here. Hooray! Although we live in Southern California with milder seasons year-round, there is a freshness to the air. Breezes are cooler, and leaves on the liquid amber trees are beginning to change from green to yellow, orange, and red. It’s just the best time of year! Time to take out myContinue reading “Falling for Fall”

With my right hand over my heart, I was four and a half years old when I learned the 30 words that I would recite about 180 times each year, for 13 years without fail. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands,Continue reading “Not for Some, But for All”

After many years, our routine is always the same. However, our experience there, never is. Preparations begin an hour before we leave. In charge of food and drinks, Robert first fills our MIER cooler with freshly made sandwiches. Sometimes, homemade or Rhineland Deli subs with the works. Mayo, mustard, thinly sliced onions, ripe juicy tomatoes,Continue reading “Shining Bright”

From my journal: September 16, 1990, Redondo Beach, California “…can’t believe we’ve been married a whole 8 days! Seems like we’ve been married forever – just that now we call each other husband and wife…” I had to smile when I read this entry in one of my journals recently. By the time we saidContinue reading “Good Advice”

I’m hoping September will be a month to remember! This is the invigorating time of year when the last summer breezes usher in the first cool autumn mornings and evenings to come. This month I’m excited to engage in a calming practice that I was introduced to many years ago in a workshop I attendedContinue reading “With the Flow”

Born at the turn of the 20th century in France, he became an international star. Appearing in more than 25 Hollywood films, he was an immediate box-office sensation. As his popularity grew, so did profits at Warner Bros. Studios, which helped propel the now well-acclaimed Darryl F. Zanuck, from screenwriter to producer to executive! She,Continue reading “Wouldn’t Be the Same”

Do you like mind games? If so, put yours to work on these two. What do the following words have in common – CRACKER, WALL, HOSE and FLY? Too easy? Then how about MUSSEL, BEAR, FLOWER, and SOLE? I truly love a challenging game, and this one has become my new obsession!  If you haven’tContinue reading “Playing Those Mind Games”

Outdoor concerts on cool August evenings, dining al fresco in our backyard, picking out fresh strawberries at the farmer’s market…ah, just a few of the many pleasures I am enjoying this summer. All these experiences remind me of how fortunate I am to live the life I do and more so, to have an attitudeContinue reading “Grateful”

August has arrived, that month that borders lazy summer days and crisp autumn nights. Growing up I always thought of August as that last care-free month before school began. Summer’s last stand if you will. My quest for calm this month is ideal for transitioning to our next season. But as always, I need toContinue reading “Stretch it Out”

I have nothing to complain about. I’m retired now. Robert is, too. Our time is our own. We live in a town small enough to know our neighbors and big enough to meet new people. We have friends nearby and family not too far away. We live on a quiet cul-de-sac and only a 15-minuteContinue reading “A Little Time Away”

Until recently, I didn’t know there was a term for a person like me. One who loves to put pen or pencil to paper, then number or bullet items that all belong in a specific category.  Listophile, listoholic, or listomaniac…it doesn’t matter what you call me, I’ll answer to any of them. Or you canContinue reading “List It!”

The date was December 3, 1992. While I had just started my first job in the non-profit industry as an Assistant Director of Development with the Senior Coordinating Council in Palo Alto, California, something life-changing happened in the UK. Most likely, more than one amazing thing occurred that day, but the one I am referringContinue reading “New-Fangled Language”

Orange, Lemon Lime, Strawberry, Berry Punch, Grape, and Tropical Punch were the original flavors. Always a purist, orange was my favorite, strawberry came in second, grape third. Touted as a way to beat the heat, I remember them well. Even though they are consumed in their frozen state, you’ll find them shelved in the juiceContinue reading “Hot Days Cool Treats”

It’s mid-year and July is here! With the temperatures heating up, I’m ready to pursue yet another way to chill. Literally and figuratively. First, let me tell you about June’s listening experience. Tuning into adagio music really did put me at ease. With its slow and steady beats between 55-65 per minute, it was soContinue reading “Taste-tea!”

Noshing on picnic lunches, attending outdoor concerts, lazing at the beach, barbequing burgers in the backyard, bringing kids to the park, watching movies under the stars, hanging out in a hammock, visiting museums, vacationing with family, flying kites, catching up with friends, stargazing, swimming, chilling at the library, hiking on nature trails, devouring an iceContinue reading “Not Just for Kids”

Pressed for time, inundated with tasks, and perhaps faced with multiple responsibilities, it’s no wonder many of us feel overwhelmed. Add to that the constant barrage of information, data, and news coming at us from all of our devices. And, depending upon your stage in life, you may also be caring for children, grandchildren, evenContinue reading “The Little Things”

It seems to me that whenever we get used to something, danger arises. That danger is taking whatever we’ve become accustomed to for granted. Like when we go to sleep at night, we take for granted we’ll find ourselves refreshed in the morning. Or that when we visit a Farmer’s Market, we take for grantedContinue reading “Here It Comes…Well, Maybe”

June is here and with it comes summer, as well as a new calming routine to experience! Yay! While I’ll get to that in a minute, it’s now time to reveal May’s results. Last month I focused on the power of the human touch. Three times a week I set aside 20 minutes to massageContinue reading “Sounds Good!”

Vacations not only bring us to new places, but offer us new experiences, connecting us to new people. Our trip to Salt Spring Island off the coast of Vancouver, Canada did just that when we spent a week there 30 years ago. In my last post, I wrote about the discoveries we made while there,Continue reading “…To Sweet Memories”

Sitting kitty corner in my craft room is an oak file cabinet that I painted white and trimmed in teal. In it are pendaflex files that contain manila folders that contain pieces of my life. Some are filled with medical records, others pertain to work, and the rest hold bits and bobs from trips we’veContinue reading “Holding On…”

We had been together four years when on that magical evening, June 5, 1987, we got engaged! Like any good daughter, the first people I shared this news with were my parents. Calling them in Massachusetts from California, each took a turn on the phone saying “Congratulations!” And I’m pretty sure in the background IContinue reading “The Same Side”

Yay it’s May! A new month means another calming technique to try.  But first, I need to relay that April’s Quest for Calm resulted in the sweet smell of success! I immersed myself in art of aromatherapy. While I planned to diffuse scents of lavender, clary sage, and geranium three times a week for 30Continue reading “In My Hands”

In my blog post from July 12, 2021 entitled “Suits Me to a Tea”, I mentioned that I have been a lover, connoisseur, and appreciator of herbal beverages since I was a teenager. When written, I had 12 brands and 21 varieties of camellia sinensis in our pantry. But like any enthusiast, my collection hasContinue reading “Steeped in Inspiration”

From my journal: January 3, 2020, Newbury Park, California “Ugh!…I feel I need to write more short pieces – take a Writer’s Digest course?…do more art – look at Life Book classes?…what activities would be fun?” Whenever I feel uninspired, unproductive, and unmotivated, I am uncreative. When I am uncreative, I am unhappy. Very unhappy.Continue reading “Get Out to Get In”

It was spring and our unit on Lepidoptera was about to begin. It was my first year teaching and I needed to brush up on my silk moth and monarch butterfly knowledge. I was not only responsible for educating my first graders on their life cycles with books, movies, and diagrams, but with hands-on activities,Continue reading “Are Free to Fly…Fly Away!”

Mood boosters, loneliness reducers, and calmness providers. They also offer us companionship, unconditional love, and no questions asked acceptance. They live in about 68% of all households in the U.S. according to the National Institutes of Health, and they are happy to see us anytime we’ve been apart. Who are they? Our spouses? Our kids?Continue reading “Celebrate Them All!”

Happy April! Last month’s Quest for Calm involved affirmations. The ones I chose were: I am calm and relaxed. I am able to handle everything that comes my way.  And I am inhaling peace and exhaling worry with each breath. I wrote them three times in my journal each day, as well as saying themContinue reading “Smells Good To Me!”

From my journal: July 21, 2021, Newbury Park, California “Just came across a photo from the spring of 2005! Hannah in her Easter outfit! So cute!” This photo of our four-year old niece brought me back in time. Straw baskets filled with chocolate foil wrapped bunnies, soft shelled chewy jelly beans, and ooey gooey marshmallowContinue reading “With All the Frills Upon It”

An hour after sunrise, in the quiet stillness of the morning, you’ll find us strolling around with our pup in tow. We may head to Wendy or Banyan Park to wander through the grassy fields or paved paths, or to established neighborhoods to meander along tree-lined sidewalks, or maybe to Sycamore Canyon to hike onContinue reading “Tell-Tale Signs”

Whoever opens their eyes first in our house gets the privilege of brewing the morning coffee. When it’s me, before I do anything else, I turn the kettle on in the kitchen. Then, I go about opening up the plantation shutters and shades in each room to welcome in the new day. Next, I’ll headContinue reading “Not Just For Brewing”

Today begins my second month of implementing a relaxation technique on my year-long Quest for Calm. Before I get to that I want to tell you about my February’s deep breathing experiences. I am happy to report that yes, all three types of deep breathing were successful in helping me relax, feel less anxious, and simplyContinue reading “Affirmative!”

From my journal: March 3, 2003, Newbury Park, California “Borrowing Robert’s red and white striped hat…will wear at school today. Have a stack of Dr. Seuss books ready…it’s ‘Read Across America’ Day…” In 1997 The National Education Association came up with the idea of setting aside a day to celebrate the joys of reading. AContinue reading “Read Across America”

The qualifications for the job are still the same. Since 1787, the United States Constitution states that the person must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. The job description is still the same. The person is in charge ofContinue reading “The Best Person for the Job”

Love is in the air! In just two days, St. Valentine’s Day will be upon us! Not only is it a day to cheer for romantic love, but to express affection for our families, friends, and pets, too. February 14th is often celebrated by giving presents of cards, candy, and flowers. While I can’t give youContinue reading “How Sweet!”

It is an involuntary function in our bodies, yet can become more powerful when exercised regularly. It can occur only in the present moment, yet can be accessed anytime or anywhere. It is also lighter than a feather, yet can not be held in our hands. And, it happens to be what I am focusing onContinue reading “A Gift of Life”

Wrapped in green and red paper, with a white bow taped to the front, it was a little bigger than the size of a standard piece of paper. So light weight, I thought it might be an empty box. Maybe Santa or his elves forgot to put something in it?  Surely, they wouldn’t play aContinue reading “Never Gets Old”