So I’m humble, grateful, and dancing my little arse off! — Yes, indeedy, Sweetie! I did it! Not by myself. I had a lot of help from my friends. But still! My new book went live on Amazon Sunday, August first, selling 96 copies! Ninja Writers Guide to Character Development: Creative Blogging got its start right here on Humor! Authenticity! Magic…

And making space to just be in that loving and longing — I love Christmas. Not the clanging, banging, shopping, crazy-making commercial frenzy with its amped-up soundtrack. But the softness I sense in some of the traditions, including the sacred and folksy music, the sense and scent of evergreen, glowing candlelight, and the heightened joy and generosity the holiday invokes. As a…

And what we compassionate older women need to know about it — It’s December already? Before we get barraged with everything holiday, let’s take a moment to reflect on that other pandemic most of us lived through–HIV/AIDS. How many friends and loved ones did you lose? I lost a dear friend and beloved dance partner, Oscar Figueroa to AIDS. One day we…

When I ignore him, he finds interesting ways to get my attention — I admit I’m superstitious. Not flattering but there it is. I haven’t written my will or filled out my Advanced Directive paperwork. Out of fear that reflecting on what I want to have happen when the time comes will cause the unthinkable to happen sooner. Or bring it on. When…

But let’s count them anyway — Now is the time to hurl the word perfect from our vocabularies permanently. When it comes to the holidays, we can replace perfect with meaningful, poignant, or, as Lori suggests, love. Often these times, like the cranberries in Debbie’s Pumpkin Pecan Cranberry Bread, are bittersweet. Our hearts bust with grief…

And so glad I’ve paid attention — most of the time — Not all the time. One of my most important life lessons took me way too long to learn. Which was to own my unhappiness and speak my truth in a timely way. Hiding those feelings and pretending everything was fine in my marriage, didn’t work. It didn’t work because I…

Accepting and loving them just exactly as they are in the moment — Or do we? I don’t mean feeding the world, as nice as it would be to know no one went hungry on this past or any other holiday. Or day, for that matter. I’m thinking about how just because the calendar says it’s a holiday, we may or may not…

If it works for me, I trust it will work for you, too. Today my soul needs refreshing. Tomorrow it might be my heart. She’s parched, longing, and tired. Not tired in an I need more sleep way, though that’s true, too. But tired in the sense that she’s run…

Let me step back and appreciate them one and all — First of all, I’m humbly grateful for my life, my body, my health, and my Higher Power. As well as my wild and whacky creative spirit, bursting forth to write, edit, craft, and create with joyous ebullience. I’m grateful for my recovery Without which, none of the above or below would be possible. I’d still…