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CAREGIVING | HUMAN TRAFFICKING | FOOD | SPIRITUAL | BUILDING COMMUNITY
Topic ~ Caregiving
Cancer Caregiving Awareness. Every day is different. Every day is the same.
My cousin, Tom, passed away. I think of how he changed after the passing of his wife, never letting go of his anger over her death. It was an exceptionally tragic passing when our knowledge of cancer was in its infancy so many years ago. Her death inspired my...
In the Gardens of Memory, in the Palace of Dreams
"In the gardens of memory, in the palace of dreams, it is there we shall meet." (Alice in Wonderland) (Photo credit: Lillian Lake) On the afternoon of my mother's passing, I went by the lake alone to sit and gaze into the soft ripple moving against the shore. Since...
Grampa Stiles and His Stately Grandfather Clock
This year, I aim to be happy and know peace inside and out. For each of us, peace may mean something different. And for sure, we each get there on our terms. Maintaining a peaceful balance amid change, which we are all experiencing, is essential to our well-being. To...
Topic ~ Human Trafficking
There Are Times When You Must Speak
In the United States, January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. Sadly, this crime against humanity is why this day exists. But even more sadly, most people are unaware there is even such a thing as human trafficking, to say nothing about a month to acknowledge...
Red Market and Black Gold Market are Other Names for Organ Trafficking
Sex trafficking and labor trafficking are more widely researched and discussed, but another area of trafficking is organ trafficking. I first heard about "organ harvesting" in the early 2000s, but that was long before I heard about human trafficking. Honestly, it is...
Once You Know Something You Can’t Unknow It
Two of my favorite credos are "once you know something, you can't unknow it" and "just because you see can't see something, doesn't mean it doesn't exist." When I do presentations on human trafficking, I find that people hearing about it for the first time try...
Topic ~ Food
The Lesser Known Traditions of Mumming and Cristmas Crackers
A conversation with a shopper in T.J. Maxx inspired this post. The shopper was admiring a festive display of Christmas crackers. Not the kind of crackers you eat. These are the kind that holds a surprise inside and is made from a paper tube and decorative paper....
A Wellness Journey Begins
In the beginning. Eight years ago, following emergency surgery and an extended stay in the hospital, I couldn't eat any food without extreme bloating and pain, requiring a potent pain reliever. I spent months on bone broth and didn't have the energy to walk beyond my...
Summer Sunshine Lemon Cooler Cookies
My “go-to” therapy is playing my piano or baking when I have something challenging to work through. As hot as it was in Iowa when we were there on vacation a few weeks ago, I baked up a storm. Coincidentally, it did storm with all kinds of crazy thunder and lightning....
Topic ~ Spiritual
Love is Felt Most Deeply When it is Leaving
"Love is felt most deeply when it is leaving." I can't unearth who first said the above quote, but it's frequently referred to when speaking of love and loss. Most of what I could uncover was in agreement and sometimes added that "airports see more sincere kisses than...
Is Friendship a Happiness Drug?
Is friendship a happiness drug? Lately, I've pondered the benefits of friendships and what they offer to a community. An angel sat on my shoulder and nudged me to write this today. Angels know that support is always welcome. We need only ask. People often show up to...
The Answer is Always Love
On my mind this week is "community love" or "community in love." There is no more powerful energy than love. As these two concepts settled in my heart, I felt I would venture to share my thoughts. This nudge came from an online post announcing the formation of the...
Have You Lost Your Muchness?
"You're not the same as you were before. You were much more...muchier. You've lost your muchness." (Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland) My take on this quote is that Mad Hatter refers to Alice losing connection to her inner child. She has forgotten how to play and be...
Topic ~ Building Community
Love is Felt Most Deeply When it is Leaving
"Love is felt most deeply when it is leaving." I can't unearth who first said the above quote, but it's frequently referred to when speaking of love and loss. Most of what I could uncover was in agreement and sometimes added that "airports see more sincere kisses than...
Is Friendship a Happiness Drug?
Is friendship a happiness drug? Lately, I've pondered the benefits of friendships and what they offer to a community. An angel sat on my shoulder and nudged me to write this today. Angels know that support is always welcome. We need only ask. People often show up to...
The Answer is Always Love
On my mind this week is "community love" or "community in love." There is no more powerful energy than love. As these two concepts settled in my heart, I felt I would venture to share my thoughts. This nudge came from an online post announcing the formation of the...
Have You Lost Your Muchness?
"You're not the same as you were before. You were much more...muchier. You've lost your muchness." (Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland) My take on this quote is that Mad Hatter refers to Alice losing connection to her inner child. She has forgotten how to play and be...