This morning started in my backyard listening to the cicadas sing while watching small raindrops fall from the tree as the sun made its grand entrance. So grateful for another day on this beautiful planet. I’m learning to embrace this tightrope walk of life. Navigating sadness and grief along with beauty and life. My dear friend Peggy passed away after battling ovarian cancer for 16 years. She had a tenacious and fighting spirit. For the past seven years she was my “pa

Think of a place where you feel safe. Is it somewhere from your childhood or a more recent memory? For me, I feel whole and safe when surrounded by trees or water. I think it is an almost primal instinct. We share so much with nature and it nourishes every living thing. Every organism benefits from the reciprocal nature of life. At Tai Chi the other day we were instructed to think of a safe place that brought peace. Of course my mind automatically went to my grandma’s

I’m sure every year I mention how much I love the spring. But, it bears repeating as it is the most magical time when the spring ephemeral flowers blanket the forest meadows. The leaves begin to bud on the once snow-covered deciduous trees, and cherry blossoms grace us with their pink splendor. And of course, I’m happy I can traipse through the woods without worrying about mosquitos for this brief time. I recently explored a bluebell meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley Nationa

A few months ago I registered for a winter retreat at the historic Amity House (no, not the haunted one) in the Richfield Heritage Preserve. I have always wanted to enjoy the park after dark, and my dear yoga nature-lover friend was hosting the event. It felt too perfect! Well, you know what happened next, the passing of my beloved puppy and the start of chemo again, and this was to be held four days after my first infusion. I felt up to it by Thursday and made the decisi

The Cambridge dictionary defines a “one-two” punch as two unpleasant things that happen together. That pretty accurately describes my week. After 13 years of love, devotion, lots of tail wags and shoes delivered to all who entered our house, our little baby Isis’ health declined very rapidly and she passed last Saturday. As I still repeat every day, “the best little girl in world.” The house is so very empty without her. All those moments of companionship. Her greeting

These past six months have been nothing short of amazing. Having the Spring and Summer to hike in the woods and explore both new and old lakes in my kayak really grounds me. In May I spent time in the Pacific Northwest with my sisters, exploring beaches, mountains and evergreen forests. In August I had the privilege of joining River Discovery with a six-day white-water rafting adventure in the Salmon River with other cancer survivors. You know water, my happy place! And j

When the world seems like it is falling apart, you will find me by the water. When I need rest, you will find me by the water. When life...

My heart hurts on the second anniversary of the horrific fire that destroyed much of Lahaina town. The small historic town will never be...

Last month I had the pleasure of vacationing with my sisters in the Pacific Northwest. What a wonderful time of exploring while...

Last Saturday (Feb2) was Imbolc/St Brigid's Day. An Irish holiday which falls halfway between Winter solstice and the Spring equinox ....

Last month I wrote about all the amazing people that stand by me. How great it is to have such a strong circle of friends and family...

The other day as I was driving, “Stand by Me” a song by Ben E King came on my oldies radio station. When I got home, I had to look up...

Kindness: Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistance, or concern for others,...

As I sit at my dining room table, windows wide open, breeze rushing in, listening to the birds singing their morning song I reminisce...

One year ago this week I started my third cycle of chemo treatments. The pesky cancer came back for the third time and is now stable,...

After more than 15 years of love, joy, and laughter our puppy Tank crossed the rainbow bridge. Preparing for the transition, yesterday I...

It has been a year of mixing it up for me. It culminated with my Christmas decorations. I’m one of those people they joke about on...

You are not alone…those were the words that flitted into my mind at a recent Reiki session. As you can imagine, I have been pondering the...

I love being barefoot – feeling the dewy grass on my feet in the early mornings, and nuzzling my toes into the carpet in our home. My...

At the end of June I finished my chemo treatments. The tumor shrunk and I am considered stable. For a cancer patient, stable is a nice...