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  • Thank you notes – October 2020

    Thank you Larry… …for the unexpected flowers to celebrate the fifth anniversary of this blog. Thank you everyone who participated in my blogiversary celebration drawing. Thank you all who have read, shared, and commented on my blog posts over the years. It means more to me than you know. Thank you Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse… …for…

  • Autumn 2020 bucket list – update 1

    We are now a month into autumn, though I have to admit, it doesn’t really feel like it. The weather has been more like summer, and typical Halloween festivities have been cancelled or altered, due to COVID. However, some autumn traditions remain: pumpkin everything and progress on my fall bucket list. Health and fitness Try…

  • 60 before 60…and the drawing winners!

    With my birthday last Sunday, I am now officially in the final year of my 50s. It’s really kind of hard for me to fathom…I have been on this earth for 59 years. How is that possible? Like all of you, I have had exhilarating moments, moments of pure joy, devastating moments, moments of unbelievable…

  • 5th blogiversary celebration give-away!

    Five years ago I published my first blog post. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. In fact, I hired someone to create the blog for me and somehow stumbled my way through those first several posts.  Along the way, I picked up some technical skills, thanks to advice from my fellow bloggers…

  • Thank you notes – September 2020

    Thank you Ruth’s Diner… …for this delicious salmon salad. Isn’t it wonderful when you find something that tastes good AND packs in the nutrition? And thank you, of course, for the strawberry mojito! The strawberries make this one nutritious as well, right? Thank you Mother Nature… …for the beautiful view of the sunrise from my…

  • Autumn 2020 bucket list

    Well it’s finally here, my favorite season: fall…or autumn…depending on your preference. In fact, this season is so fabulous, it’s the only one deserving of two names. For more on the origins of autumn and fall, check out this usage note from Merriam-Webster. Whatever you call it, ’tis the season of beautiful leaves, cooler days,…

  • When does a house become a home?

    My husband and I recently built a house in southern Utah, roughly 300 miles south of our primary residence. We wanted an escape from the cold, snowy winters without going so far that our family and friends couldn’t easily visit. The house is now fully furnished…well mostly…and we’ve stayed there several times for brief periods….

  • Are you burdened by too much past?

    I sat down to write this morning, somehow ending up scrolling through Facebook (procrastinate much?), and came across this quote.  Guilt, regret, resentment, sadness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past and not enough presence. Eckhardt Tolle It struck a chord with me, and I recalled earlier in the week reading…

  • Allowing room for suffering

    I have a good life. I have been blessed, and I am deeply grateful…I am. But lately I’ve been feeling out of sorts. There is so much uncertainty…pain…anger…suffering all around.  Okay, I know…all of life is uncertain, and no one escapes suffering…but everything feels magnified at the moment. A polarizing presidential election in the middle…

  • Summer play list update #1

    A month ago, I shared my Summer Play List…not a bucket list exactly…just a list of activities to inspire joy during this pandemic summer. I’m happy to report that I have enjoyed several of these activities in the past month. Play list Drink iced coffee. Yes! Have a big salad with all the fixin’s. Not…