A Beginning Blogger’s Story
The day my mother was cremated, I bought this blog site. I had no idea how I would use it, what I would do with it, and whether it was for me or for public consumption. All I knew was that I needed to do it. In the weeks leading up to her death, I was so consumed with witnessing my mom’s final days that my usually analytical mind was preoccupied. My creative mind was able to get a foot in the door and stories and poems started to flow. I dictated them as I drove to work. I jotted them down on random sticky notes on my desk. I wrote them down in any of my many notebooks. It seemed there was no limit to what was on my mind and how I wanted to say it. And for once, there was little to no self judgement. And so, what lies within are thoughts, feelings, half baked ideas, musings, challenges to what I thought I believed and generally writing out loud to organize, clarify and question the goings-on in my head. If it resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. If not, I hope it starts you on your own journey of writing out loud.
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- Self Awareness
I’m starting something new this month. I enjoyed poetry month so much and the impetus it gave me to write daily. I have missed that routine and excitement surrounding creativity […] - Let Them
This past weekend I listened to an Instagram reel by Mel Robbins called “Let Them Theory.” It was so simple, yet so revolutionary, and as usual, it was the Universe […] - Empathy
Fumbling in his footsteps, Idling in her eyes, That I might understand. A Senryu poem of three lines, unrhymed, about human nature - Don’t Be Afraid
Don’t be afraid to say no, To that which offends you, To that which doesn’t align, To that which robs your spirit, To that which doesn’t feel right, To that […] - Mental Health-Words MatterI read a post by Lauren Urie, R.S.W. from @advocacychange project that said: Stop saying bipolar when you mean moody. Stop saying psychotic when you mean irrational. Stop saying anorexic […]
- Midnight on the Porch, a Haiku
Midnight on the porch Black shadows chase the last light As crickets perform. - Short Stories
Our assignment in class was to write a short story about… a time you were proud in 4 words: I’m right here, Love. I started a company! I am self […] - Rebellion, Part 2
I want to launch a rebellion, Not with protests or signs, Not with force or violence, Not with selfishness or carelessness. No, I want to launch a rebellion Of my […] - Balance
Between All that I must do and all that Lifts my spirits, I try to Achieve homeostasis, so that my scales Never tip so far in one direction that I […] - I Love a Good List!
The task as we entered writing class a few weeks ago was to write about our week. Loving organization in general and having a pretty logical mind, I immediately divided […] - Commencement
So THIS happened last week! That’s an actual picture taken at the United States Coast Guard Academy’s 142nd Commencement Exercise. My middle daughter was one of the young adults who […] - Mother’s Day
I’m feeling all the feels today And can’t seem to find the words I’ve written two pieces That don’t convey What is in my heart And so I turn to […] - A Classroom in the Spring
Aaah- Achoo! A big sneeze, And another! Bless you! Gesundheit! Can I have a tissue? Remember to wash your hands! I guess I should close the windows, Allergy season is […] - Release
The bulk of it envelops you, Settling heaviest upon your shoulders and back, Pressing down on your chest, It weighs you down. But you are determined, Determined to shed it, […] - Control
You think it will keep you safe, Keep them safe, your loved ones, But it is a mirage, And not yours to claim. This is a Naani poem, consisting of […] - Out of the Mouths of Babes???
“Oh, precious baby! Your presence is so powerful, Our world you truly glorify, You’re a masterpiece-so perfect and incomparable!” “My legs have rolls, my belly is deplorable, My body makes […] - Teacher Appreciation Week
Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTO at my school goes all out every year. We receive an invitation the week before that tells us what special treats we […] - “You’re killin’ me!”
I know they look sweet in this picture. It’s probably what brought you here. And believe me, they are. They are adorable and cuddly and funny and affectionate and entertaining […] - Freedom
I am speech, that others might know what you stand for, I am expression, that you might practice what resonates so deeply within you, I am tolerance, that you might […] - National Poetry Month: Embodiment, A Nonet
She had survived tragedy and loss, And knew the time had come to thrive, To return to her passion, To become embodied. The gown, the make-up, The confidence! Dance, Cindy! […] - National Poetry Month: Epitaph for Fear
Here lies feelings of failure, thoughts of threats, angst about acceptance, doubt about differences, mistrust of manifestation, wonder about worthiness, anxiety about what awaits, apprehension about aging, concern about catastrophe, […] - National Poetry Month: Limerick for Alaina
I have a good friend named Alaina, Who has a passion to train ya, ‘Bout the foods you should eat, Having veggies before a treat, But if you mess up, […] - National Poetry Month: The Path
The trailhead opens wide before me, inviting. My path is uncertain, rocky at times, But beauty surrounds me, and I drink it in. I move forward, not knowing what lies […] - National Poetry Month: Woman
Moon marked and touched the sun, my magic is unwritten. I have been woman for a long time. I want to be so complete I could light a whole city. […] - National Poetry Month: Words Matter
Words matter, so please be direct, Words matter, they show your respect, Your words have the power to hurt or to heal, So please be mindful when you share how […] - National Poetry Month: Camping
The roofnest opens With the old familiar woosh! Camping has begun. Time to unzip the windows, Air out the memory foam. Turn our attention to the site, Equipment everywhere, Up […] - National Poetry Month: Ode to an Omelette
Good morning! An omelette, please! I’d like it with only egg whites. Don’t fear! I’ll take it to new heights, Beginning with two kinds of cheese, That I’ll taste with […] - National Poetry Month-Scaffolding
Scaffolding, a Splint that Surrounds the Spire like a Satellite, for a Season, Stabilizing the Structure while it Strongly, then Somewhat, then Slightly Supports its Successful restoration. Surely we all […] - National Poetry Month: PASSION
The voice inside whispers of FEAR That thing that strangles and KILLS What we most want, the MORE We are looking for. But what if our DREAMS were more powerful […] - National Poetry Month-Compassion Acrostic
Can we find a system that honors the needs of each and every One of us? A system whereby Mothers and fathers can take Parental leave to nurture our most […] - National Poetry Month-Beauty, a Cinquain
“Beauty,” She shared in class, “Is opportunity, To recreate our precious selves, Each day.” This poem is dedicated to Nancee. - National Poetry Month-Touch (Rondine)
Touch-what our skin craves and our soul desires. When was the last time she had received it? It had been 20 years since my dad passed, Sure, there were hugs […] - National Poetry Month-Morning! (Cinquain)
Morning! Jolted awake By the sound of beeping That seeks to get my day started. Five more? - National Poetry Month-Pregnancy Haiku
Her belly grows round, Shelter to a new being, A lifegiving force. - National Poetry Month-Spring (Roundel)
The thrushes all whistle their gladsome tune, As we emerge from Winter’s gloom. The blue jays join in with their mocking croon, As Spring is born from Nature’s womb. Bare […] - National Poetry Month-Beauty Cinquain
Beauty Not in her face, Not in her curves or shape, But in the way she radiates Pure joy - National Poetry Month-Sunflower Haiku
Rises from dark Earth, Reaches boldly up to Sky, Turns her face to Sun. - National Poetry Month-Broken Open Found Poem
The irony- Hiding the dark side Is not really a secret at all. How can it be? A laughable admission, A shadow self, Unmerciful thoughts, A longing for something, Vulnerable, […] - National Poetry Month-LOVE, Shaped Verse
Love Love C a n y o u d e f i n e i t? Is it a f e e l i n g o r e m […] - National Poetry Month-Caste Found Poem
Chapter 2: An Old House and an Infrared Light An invisible beam of light, Searching layers the eye could not see, An old house, its own kind of devotional, Flaws […] - National Poetry Month-Privilege
Enough! No more judgment, Or ignorant comments, To protect your privileged world. Accept! A Cinquain Poem - National Poetry Month-My Daughters
I know my daughters are the very best of me my lessons on how to live free the perspective that helps me see Incredibly blessed to have three True Gifts […] - National Poetry Month-Friendship
Sometimes friendship can be the buoy you cling to when the world looks out of focus to you A Cinquain Poem Photo: Henry and Spencer, 1.23.23. Flemington, NJ by LA - National Poetry Month-The Day She Was Born
On the day she was born, I expected a boy, But as noon followed morn, This girl brought me joy! Everyone guessed a boy, But no matter-what love, I’d never […] - National Poetry Month-Recipe for Motherhood
4 heaping cups of Mama bear, lay down my life love 1 cup each of awe and inspiration, gratitude and joy 1/2 cup each of patience, empathy and compassion 3T […] - National Poetry Month-Tuesday’s To Do List
A List Poem - National Poetry Month-Writing Community
Our little community gathers, Most of us starting as strangers, Coming together for our own reasons, To write about our lives, loves, and loss. A byte poem has 140 characters […] - National Poetry Month-Compassion
I am a sumptuous blanket, a cup of soothing tea, and a knowing smile. I’m right here. Feel my warmth around you, as you share the deep darkness, you’ve never […] - National Poetry Month-The ABC’s to a Better Me
All I want in life is waiting for me!Believing in a Higher Power gives me theCourage to face eachDay, knowing the Universe provides me withEverything I need toFlourish and thrive.Gone […] - Their Anniversary in Heaven
Yesterday was my parents’ anniversary. Were they both alive, it would have been their 64th. My mom outlived my dad by 20 years, so this was their first anniversary reunited. […] - The Ladder
Women are… Our mothers, sisters, daughters, Grandmothers, aunts, nieces, Bosses, coworkers, employees, Lovers, friends, neighbors, Fellow humans. Not to be typecast, Pushed down or held back. Not to be manipulated, […] - The Wrong Kind of Arms
As a schoolteacher, mother, citizen and human, my heart broke when I learned of the Tennessee school shooting last night. The fact that it took so long for the news […] - Self Trust
I can always trust myself. I know what is right for me, I can see the light, Though I may be swayed by fear, by doubt and critical messages. I […] - The Tri
My first triathlon ever, and as day breaks, I’m both nervous and excited. I lay out my equipment for each stage of the course, Shorts and shirt, bike and helmet, […] - The Universe Already Got There
Listening to a podcast* today, I heard the notion that there is nothing we can imagine, create, or experience that the Universe hasn’t already imagined, created or experienced. Poet Sarah […] - Her Last Day
I can tell right away that things have changed, Something is different about her, Hazel eyes locked on the ceiling, She doesn’t even sense me, Shallow comes her breathing, Her […] - Anger
Surrender to your anger now, Bring it out and into the light, There’s no need to feel shame or fright, Your body knows exactly how To feel its force and […] - False Self Becomes True
stress, anxiety, hypervigilance, surviving, people pleasing closed, critical, skeptical, fearful, intimidated holding tight, being strong, sarcastic false bravado, stiff upper lip fake, snarky, poser false self true self open, joyful, […] - Belonging
There is this thing that happens When I’m working with another teacher. The excitement builds, Our enthusiasm bursts forth, And the students delight. Infectious! We banter, add on, feed each […] - Blush
One of my least appreciated natural tendencies growing up was my facial flush. Whenever I was called on, called out, or put in the spotlight, my face would turn bright […] - March Embodiment
My word of the year is EMBODIMENT and each month I try to let the word soak deeper into my being through reading, listening, and seeing where and how it […] - Patterns
The regularity and repetition Of mustard and avocado colored squares adorning our kitchen wallpaper, Thin paper pinned to fabric for Mom to sew our matching mother daughter outfits, Rings hidden […] - Make Your Mess Your Message
That quote comes thirdhand from a podcaster* sharing the premise for another podcaster’s work. I heard it tonight while working out and it matched another quote from a previous podcaster […] - Like It Was Yesterday
We sat across from each other, my old friend and I, the wrinkles and gray hair fading away. All I could see was her bright smile, permed mullet and twinkling […] - Anxiety
A reaction To Conflict and Fear, To a lack of Control, To Problems we can’t solve. We Worry as though our knotted bellies Can change the Outcome. It is all […] - The Grandeur That Makes Us InsignificantToday I read an excerpt of William Shatner’s memoir, Boldly Go in (gulp!) AARP magazine. In it, he wrote about how he thought his travel into space would be “the […]
- Travel Lessons from the Dog Park
My dear friend and I took our two canines apiece to a dog park on several acres of land. Watching them enjoy the setting made me think of the lessons […] - Swan, A Found Poem
After reading “The White Flakes,” a Found Poem from Schindler’s List in which the author recasts a text as a poem, deleting words while keeping the important nouns and verbs […] - Strength
I’ve been marinating two opposing thoughts recently. A friend said that she considers her difficult experiences in life blessings because they have made her who she is and given her […] - My Higher Power
In childhood, my belief in God was shaped by my parents and my church community. I attended Sunday School, listened to sermons, heard Bible stories. My understanding of faith was […] - Cat Got Your Tongue?
I am randomly opening to pages of Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and reading a few entries at a time. Tonight’s made me laugh out loud […] - My Birth Day
My birthday was last week, and over dinner a friend asked, “How was your first birthday without your mother?” So unexpected was the question; tears immediately filled my eyes. It […] - RebellionI read this quote recently: “Rebellion is when you look society in the face and say, “I understand who you want me to be, but instead I will show you […]
- Perspective
Step back and see how The perspective changes views Of what matters most Photo: Shenandoah National Park, 7.3.20. by JMR - Powerless and Powerful
Powerless over The events of my past, What lies ahead for me, The news and the weather, What other people think of me, Their actions, choices and behavior. The content […] - My First
My oldest daughter is turning 25 this month. To celebrate our February birthdays, she invited me to a Dessert Tasting at a restaurant in downtown DC, where she lives. The […] - Decisions and MistakesI’ve dreaded making decisions my whole life. I’ve always considered myself indecisive. The problem with making decisions was my fear of making a mistake. I was afraid of buyer’s remorse […]
- Intuition
Hearing that voice within my mind, “Look within, you know you can trust, No one knows you better, you must Nurture that feeling and remind, Your answer is here, you […] - Timed Writings
I like to do a writing exercise with my students where I give them a prompt and an allotted amount of time to write. No editing, no revising. Just power […] - Teaching is My Super Power
Eight years ago, I ran in a Superhero themed 5K with my daughters. I bought a Superman t-shirt at Walmart and my oldest daughter’s friend used puffy paint to make […] - Re: Inspiration
This is a photo of the wall above the headboard in my bedroom. I look at it every single day and it brings me comfort, joy, and inspiration. The impetus […] - The Gift of Writing
She beamed at me when I walked into the room. “This is so exciting!” she proclaimed, and throwing her blankets back, she continued, “We have much to do to get […] - 6 Word Stories of Baby Bliss
My nephew is expecting his first! We gathered together to celebrate Baby! My sister hosted our whole family. We showered him and his wife. This is my brother’s second grandchild. […] - Feeling Protected
I imagine a shield that allows me to live in the world protected. A barrier that keeps the toxic out and lets the positive in. A screen that is neither […] - Hope’s TriumphFear Jelly legs, Sweaty palms, Jittery belly, Galloping heart, Shallow breaths, Rising panic. Fear whispers of my weakness, He is mindful of mistakes, He advises against action, He cautions against […]
- Saying YesI will say yes… ~to myself ~to self care ~to my needs ~to living fully ~to time alone ~when I want to ~when I am safe ~to expand myself ~to […]
- Saying No
I will say NO… ~even when it’s hard ~when I’m tired or rundown ~when it clashes with my values ~when I’m not being considered ~when it’s not convenient for me […] - So Much Clapping
It had been a long, hot summer with little to no rain. I watered my gardens daily and got a break from mowing since the grass barely grew. It was […] - Message from My Necklace
On my 50th birthday, my best friend and college roommate gave me a simple pearl necklace. I’ve only taken it off 3 or 4 times in the almost 4 years […] - EMBODIMENT
Enlightened understanding that My body’s experiences have been negative and positive Because of traumas, comments, Observations by others, and social and cultural expectations that Don’t allow for accurate, realistic, or […] - Pain Without Suffering?
The Pain: My mom, suffering with dementia and in memory care, told me excitedly when I visited, “I have 3 children, 2 boys and a girl.” I am her fourth. […] - Validation
Validation The Siren Song Convincing, Compelling, Consuming Persistent in its Promise Of Confidence, Value, Worth Seek it, Work it, Nurse it Manipulate, Please, Control Wear the Mask of False Self […] - The “Write” Tool
Sometimes a barrier to writing is as simple as not having the right tools. I like to play by experimenting with different implements. Sometimes I like the feel of a […] - Word of the Year!
Each year I choose a word to carry me through, inspire me, challenge me, comfort me and always continue to help me grow. I started in 2018 with Alignment, which […] - A New Kind of New Year’s Eve
I’ve never been a huge fan of New Year’s Eve. I’ve often felt pressure to be doing something exciting – going out, being with people, and drinking. Almost ever year, […] - Our Hearts
While touring the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens yesterday, I saw this beautiful heart-shaped cactus. It made me think of the various states we might find our heart in, represented by […] - The Stockings Were Hung…
Stockings Made with love Upon each grandchild’s arrival Regardless of the month. She would run to the fabric store And comb through the patterns To find just the right scene […] - An Ornamental Christmas
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the annual ornament giving. Each year I choose an ornament for each of my daughters that reflects something special they did, accomplished, enjoyed, […] - The Cardinal
“Look at the cardinal!” my mother would exclaim, As she had a hundred times before, And always with the same awe and delight, Washing dishes at the kitchen picture window. […] - The Bank
Today I took a challenge to write about a bank, any kind of bank, whether financial institution, ground near a river, noun, verb, and so on. Here is my take… […]
The Journey Inward 