I'll begin by saying that—for me—acupuncture is nearly a miracle. I had a six-week course of weekly treatments this summer, and my painful right shoulder regained mobility along with much less pain and arthritis cracking. So when my back hurt more and more, I figured acupuncture was surely worth a try. But I had no … Continue reading Acupuncture: “Muscle moves bone . . . “
My word for New Year 2020
Annually I ask for a word for my New Year, usually on New Year's Day. I follow this prompt from Abbey of the Arts: “give me a word” we ask – something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into. The word which chooses us has the potential to transform … Continue reading My word for New Year 2020
What I wish I had asked my relatives while they were alive: 4 types of questions
There are so many questions that have come to me after my parents and their generation have crossed over, especially questions about their parents and grandparents. I wish I'd thought of those questions when I had the opportunity to ask. Now during the holiday season, you might have a chance to ask some of these … Continue reading What I wish I had asked my relatives while they were alive: 4 types of questions
Do you ever feel sad around your birthday? I do.
Even though I typically feel some sadness or melancholy around my birthday, that feeling caught me unprepared this morning. After all, it's a clear-blue-sky sunny day after a night of thunderstorms. Everything feels clearer, sharper. More alive. Except me. It's my birthday week. A reminder that I'm aging quickly, that life has gotten harder in … Continue reading Do you ever feel sad around your birthday? I do.
Cove, Hog Jowl, and Daughtery Gap Roads: My favorite autumn drive in Walker County, GA
Brilliant autumn days don't come along that often, so I knew I had to get out and enjoy this one.
Honoring Your Traumaversary
Even if we aren't conscious of these traumaversaries, they have an impact on us. Because—on some level—we remember the pain and connect it with that time of year.
Considering My Own Racism: The time I opposed an MLK holiday
Since I started this blog series over a year ago, I've been much more aware of my thoughts and actions regarding race. And with that awareness more memories are popping up. When I was reading Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming, one of her experiences reminded me of a time when I spoke from a racist perspective … Continue reading Considering My Own Racism: The time I opposed an MLK holiday
Acupuncture: I’m afraid to jinx myself, but . . .
Yeah, I'm a bit superstitious, so I'm hesitant to share my good news about acupuncture. But here goes, jinxes be damned! First, my background with acupuncture. Seven plus years ago I had several rounds of acupuncture during my chemo treatment time periods. I think it helped, but since I didn't have a "normal" baseline, I … Continue reading Acupuncture: I’m afraid to jinx myself, but . . .
Considering My Own Racism: What’s in a name?
Do we pre-judge each other by our names? Yes, we do. Or at least I do. As a new topic in this blog series as I look at my own racial prejudices (my pre-judging), I've been considering names. Does my racism start when I learn someone's name? What if I were the person who does … Continue reading Considering My Own Racism: What’s in a name?
Considering My Own Racism: Two recent shopping situations
I think there was an unwritten rule: Do business with people of your own race.
