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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
You Are Enough
(I am participating in the Writing Contest: You Are Enough, hosted by PositiveWriter.) Not only are you enough, I too am enough. If I can be enough, so can you. If being enough is possible, it can be a reality for anybody. Thoughts are powerful, and if I believe I can do something, no matter what it is, I will at least try. If I think I can host an impressive dinner party, I … [Read more...]
Six days in court
I’m sitting in a courtroom waiting for the jury to emerge with a verdict. Today is my fifth day of walking into the Federal Court of Appeals, showing my ID, opening my iPad, taking off my boots, and putting everything in a plastic bin to run through security. The same routine happens at lunch. Morning and noon, the three men in black suits are always pleasant and … [Read more...]
Las Vegas Down
It has been nine days since our city of escape and excitement fell victim to senseless violence. I think I was in the normal range of reaction, and grieved for myself, the victims, and our country. Then I heard about couples I knew who was at the concert, and all at once it was personal. I find myself drawn to the written word in my quest to help those in trauma with … [Read more...]
Bless them on their way
The Priest started with a riddle: "What does everybody need to do, nobody wants to do, and most people don’t know how to do it?" I guessed, death. Wrong. The answer was FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is a topic addressed in many counseling sessions, and the message in the homily was pertinent to many. First, yes, everybody does NEED to forgive. If we hold anger and angst in our … [Read more...]
Dreams require action
I had an awesome week. I saw all my kids and grandchildren. I also had fun riding my little pink scooter around town and visiting with friends at the farmer’s market and sidewalk sales. Small town America is the best. I also went to visit my son and daughter-in-law at their farm. What a treat. I had a chance to see what corn stalks look like after deer enjoy breakfast, … [Read more...]
Guilt…not our friend
Dear Abby, who died at the age of 94, once wrote: “If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we’d all be millionaires.” I believe she was referring to guilt; one of the nastiest emotions we have. It is right up there with jealousy. The cost of guilt to our mental health is enormous. The thoughts that run around in our heads, that affect our stomachs, can keep … [Read more...]
Be glad you’re not an old horse
Be glad you’re not an old horse One of my favorite summer activities is having my grandchildren visit. Each has different interests and therefore different requests for activities. Recently, the chosen fun was horseback riding. The show-up time was 9:45; I signed the form stating that any injury inflicted while riding their horses was entirely my fault. We were assigned … [Read more...]
Perfect is not possible – usually
Perfect is not possible - usually What a beautiful Fourth of July…we rode the Can Am and enjoyed the wonderful Colorado Rockies. We stayed away from the crowds and watched the amazing Macy’s fireworks display in NYC - in the comfort of our own sofa. Perfect is not possible – but days like yesterday are close. As a farm wife for 30 years, most Fourth of July holidays were … [Read more...]