What is the Nature of Man?

I don't talk about politics. Part of this is because I hate conflict, and my anxiety levels shoot through the roof.  Mostly, it's because I don't see any point in it. I don't think my rhetoric skills are so great to sway anyone, and I know I won't be swayed. I don't talk about politics …

The Winter of Ego-Death

I had lunch today with one of my best friends. She spent several minutes describing this "weird" time she is going through.She isn't depressed, but she is quieter and more introspective. She isn't worn out, but has less energy, and wants to sleep more. She is tired of playing roles and ready to "burn the …

On Verbing

I make things for the sake of making them. I don't make them to have a thing at the end - it's not about the noun result. It's about the joy of the creative process. What happens to the noun after it becomes is not the point. This untangles perfectionism. It unknots the webs of …

A Wanderer’s Watercolors

This weekend, I went to Savannah to spend a day to two with my husband. Brett stayed behind at the conference, and I've headed home for some alone time (and work tomorrow). While he was learning EMS-educator stuff yesterday, I spent the afternoon on the balcony of our room painting. The night before, we had …

My Self-Care Mistake

I've got the classic Calgon lady in the featured image because "Calgon, take me away!" was the TV-commercial version of self-care I remember growing up.  I've only learned very recently that the bubble bath variety of self-care is part of the reason why conversations about self-care so frequently left me feeling awful. I would walk away from conversations …

Unpacking Camp Songs

I have no idea whether it was fun. It's still too soon to say whether I'll go back. I'm really glad I did it. It was life-changing.

My Love/Hate Relationship with Facebook

I’ve been taking a quiet, not-very-strict break from Facebook for the past few weeks.  I didn’t post a dramatic farewell.  I didn’t delete my account.  I haven’t ruminated on my wall about the pros and cons of such a choice. I just… haven’t liked how I feel when I go on Facebook lately. And because …

2016 Is Going To Rock!

This Ent-ish looking fellow greeted me and my friend Clarice on our overnight hike on the AT in October. Isn't he cool? I've got more Appalachian Trail hiking planned for 2016, so I decided he could the the image for today, even though he's wood, and not stone. As I looked at the 2016 calendar …

Missed Me, Missed Me?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm participating in Quest 2016 - a group of wonder-trackers and business artists mulling over what 2016 will bring them by answering prompts from visionaries. Today's prompt is from Seth Godin. Would they miss you if you were gone? What would have to change for that question to …

A Low Key Thanksgiving

I realized this morning that I've written a number of blog posts about thanksgiving, why it's my favorite holiday, what I love about it.  Facebook memories are popping up reminding me of a challenge I gave my friends a few years ago to list 10 things a day they were grateful for.  Some of my …