What do you do if something extraordinary happens to you–out of the blue? I ask because such an event landed in my checking account on March 10th. I don’t need to describe the boring details, but it involved Social Security. (SS) My reaction was similar to the loss cycle: bargaining, denial, anger, depression, and then acceptance. Initially, I thought, “What? This … [Read more...]
Nine nuggets of marital advice
I have learned, again, that doing the right thing isn't always the smart thing. I did the right thing from the beginning of my marriage to the end of my husband’s life on April 29, 2021. Following are my nine nuggets of marital advice from what I’ve learned during the first month after my husband’s death from Leukemia. If you decide to get married, don’t get a divorce.But … [Read more...]
For Love And Glory
We have a flagpole in our back yard, and until I lowered it to half-staff after the Boulder, King Soopers' shootings, I couldn't see the flag from my kitchen window—it was too high. Up close, Old Glory is now more majestic and personal. It motivates me to write about the fire in my belly—the American flag. To me, our American flag has always been a symbol of class, high … [Read more...]
An addicted country in withdrawal and rehab
As I think about politics during the past four or five years, one thought emerges—addiction. This article is only my opinion and based on what I notice in myself and others. It is food-for-thought. The word addiction is a noun, and Merriam Webster's definition: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity … [Read more...]
Attack politics
The past four years have become what my dad, a WWII Veteran, and man of few words, would call communist. I don't know if America resembles the fall of the Roman Empire, Nazi Germany, Hatfields and McCoys, or all of the above. Whatever it is, it's not healthy. I can go on a diet from social media, but ordinary human encounters are hard to avoid even during … [Read more...]
Musings of 9-11
Still half asleep, I turned on the news at 7:00 a.m. and laid my head back on the pillow. I heard, "…look back at events that changed America 19 years ago." I immediately knew it was my friend's birthday. In 2001, she and I taught at a Vocational Technical school in Denver when two planes hit the World Trade Center Twin Towers. We survived the adverse experience with students … [Read more...]
Ahhh–Corona Virus and College … nothing like a chemistry lab online!
☹Paisly McConnell, guest columnist When my grandma asked me to write an article about how the Corona Virus affected my college experience, I did not know what four-letter word I should use—HELP. One day I was sitting in class with my friends, living my best life, and the next, I was ugly crying to my mom about having to take lab finals online. What just … [Read more...]
Clarifying choices with chairs
By Wendi Deines, guest columnist Today, my aunt Jennifer, your regular columnist, and her oldest sister, my mom, are headed to Arizona. They plan to join another sister and help their second oldest sister, who fell and fractured her hip and ankle a day before her 80th birthday. Since Jennifer has been a special part of my life in so many ways, and the challenges … [Read more...]
How are you doing?
Today I’m feeling guilty because I have no good reason to be sad and worried—my family is well; I have food to eat, adequate toilet paper, and the internet is working. But, I’m sad and worried anyway. Like the rest of the world, I’m ready for covid 19 to be contained or at least held at bay. I don’t want another day to begin with news of higher death numbers and health workers … [Read more...]
Painting rocks
This is a time in history for changes in thought and action. With the coronavirus’ invisible attacks on the world, including ours, we are forced to shift gears—our normal isn’t normal anymore. Newscasters are working from home and seldom reporting politics—refreshing. Coronavirus has permeated everyday life even if we are healthy. Like most people, I am making the best … [Read more...]
How do YOU enjoy life?
Scrounging is part of my DNA. Growing up, the most fun activity my sisters and I did with our dad was going to the dump, the day before the scheduled burn, to tromp through the trash, and look for treasures. We each tried to uncover the best find. To steal Barbara Mandrel’s lyrics, I was thrifting when thrifting wasn’t cool. When I lived in the country, farm … [Read more...]
Why I write
Yesterday, a woman asked me what I did. I paused because I have always answered, "I'm a mental health counselor." But, I am retired; I WAS a counselor. Therefore I replied, "I'm a writer." She said, "Oh, really, what do you write?" Again, I paused because I write about many things. I said, "I'm an author of a book about my client's stories and what I learned from them, I … [Read more...]
The toilet
When I was a kid, we called the toilet the stool. Mother would say, “Did you flush the stool?” A google search gave the mighty seat many names, including lavatory, water closet, latrine, throne, head, and john, to name a few. In my youth, it was not ladylike to say pee and poop,” but in reality, it is a multi-daily necessity. We are lucky in America to have toilets. In … [Read more...]
The cross
I enjoy the breadth of art and the creative eye of artists. One of my favorite activities is visiting galleries, especially when artists are demonstrating and willing to visit. Public art is included in my list of favorites. Examples of public art: Mount Rushmore, Big Blue Bear at the Convention Center in Denver, the Mustang at DIA, Brad Ray’s tree sculptures and Nate … [Read more...]
Questions for your life
Where are you going? What path will you take? Are your roots deep and stable? Is your trunk strong and able? Do you build bridges? Do you grow after … [Read more...]