When life (or retirement) doesn’t go as planned, I have found that you can mope away your life or you can make adjustments. That doesn’t mean you have to go all Pollyannish. There is nothing wrong with taking the time you need to grieve. But even when you are grieving, I have found that it…
As part of my drawing practice, I’ve been sketching one of my dogs every morning, after I jot out my thoughts and To Do lists in my journal. I think of these sketches as my Daily Dog. But without any training or knowledge about drawing, the improvements I wanted to make to my art (dare…
“The neighbors wanted stacks of MISSING posters for every person they lost, even themselves. Missing: former self. Distinguishing marks: expectations of fame, ability to demand love. Last seen wearing: hopeful expression, uncomfortable shoes.” ~ Thunderstruck & Other Stories by Elizabeth McCracken Do you ever feel like you have lost your former self and would like…
On Dani Shapiro’s recent Family Secrets podcast, I listened to Jane Mintz tell her adoptee story, which included a reunion with her birth mother. Towards the end of the interview, Jane spoke about reading the story of “The Mistaken Zygote,” from Clarissa Pinkola Estés book “Women Who Run With the Wolves.” It’s about how the Zygote…
A woman waits patiently by the river Her dogs sniff the ground nearby She watches feathers of white dip their heads Disappear, then reappear Beads shimmer and drip Beaks run through feathers like a comb The woman wishes and wants How can every movement be words of grace? Okay, heads dip, butts stick up, legs…
Since I injured my shoulder, I have been fighting tooth and nail to get back to my old normal self. She rode her fat bike through the snow. She went cross country skiing. She worked out at the gym running and lifting weights. I’ve been hugely frustrated with the slowness of my recovery and the…
