The priest told a more elaborate likeness of this story: “A man came to me quite distressed and told me his wife was crying and extremely upset with him. I asked him what happened this time. He said, “She asked if I knew her favorite color. I guessed blue but was wrong; purple was the correct answer. I’ve repeatedly told her I was sorry, but nothing helps.” When the man … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Park pain in the backseat
September is National Pain Awareness Month, so this is an excellent time to discuss the correlation between physical pain and mental health. All pain, including physical and emotional, is either chronic or acute. Acute pain is often caused by an injury where initial care and mild or prescription drugs offer relief, the pain subsides with time, and life again feels normal. … [Read more...]
Shared experiences are the best
I attended a concert at a new venue this week. It was a beautiful setting in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Immense rock walls framed the large meadow, and a river ran rapidly on the edge. There were food and drink vendors and hundreds of people in hats, flowing dresses, floral shirts, shorts, and sandals. I thought I walked into a mini Woodstock. The headliners did not … [Read more...]
Thankful I didn’t do another stupid thing all day
I went to a farmer’s market this week, and the cheese guy was there. I had no cheese left in my fridge, so I approached his tent. A woman was checking out, and he said, “That will be one, twelve. I thought, whoa. After she paid with a hundred dollar bill, ten and two ones, it was my turn. I asked what this and this and this was. He told me, and I said I’d take a slice of each, … [Read more...]
The opposite of narcissism is altruism
Here it is time for school to start. This week’s thoughts revolve around a topic relevant to kids and adults helping others or expecting others to meet our needs. The issue comes down to the difference between narcissism and altruism. Narcissism comes from the Greek myth, where an attractive man named Narcissus looked in a pool of water to see his reflection and fell in love … [Read more...]
What’s that about?
Is it retirement or just old age? I need more time and have too much time. The weeks fly by, and the days go on forever. What’s that about? I also have a great memory, but not regarding the name of an author, actor, song title, or person, even if we just met. What’s that about? A friend asked me this week, “What have you been doing?” Simple enough question, and even though … [Read more...]
Our stories endure if we pass them on
I neglected one of my favorite activities—writing rural women’s stories. Some women are excited to tell me one of their life stories; some say, “My life’s too boring to tell,” and one said, “No.” That friend has since passed, and her stories passed with her. Sad. You can think your life is boring or insignificant, but it’s not. Like any good novel, your story has heroes, … [Read more...]
Words, even if unspoken, hurt or heal
The New York Times Wordle word was CRONE the day I wrote this article. It took me five tries to figure it out, and since I didn’t know what it meant, I Googled it. The definition was short and not sweet: “An ugly old woman.” Ugh! There is no such thing as an ugly old woman. I’ve never seen one, have you? I’ve seen many older women—I see one every morning when I brush the … [Read more...]
Anxiety does not subside in the summer
We are in the peak of summer, and even though we look forward to sun, fun, gardens, and flowers, summer is not free of anxiety. We might think we have lazy days and s’mores by the campfire at night, but with pleasures comes less routine, often stress on our budgets and more planning and packing than usual. We are lucky to live in a farming and ranching area, but summer also … [Read more...]
We don’t always need to be in charge
I’ve had a great week—My first granddaughter, Ireland, married her best friend, Noah, at a beautiful outside Rocky Mountain wedding, and Lucy is back from training. These events are not comparable or equal, but they were both eventful. The soggy Fourth of July, with canceled fireworks, put a damper on the week, but the stellar still outweighed the disappointing–standard for … [Read more...]
Tears are friends
Since Lucy was in training, I took advantage of my freedom and signed on for a tour with people I had never met to an area I had never visited. I had a great time, met friendly people, and laughed often. On the flight home, I was stuck in the middle, like always, and tried shrinking into my seat so the shoulders, elbows, and man sprawl on both sides of me didn’t make … [Read more...]
Celebrate our Red, White, and Blue
Author’s Note: I’m traveling this week and using an (edited) article written seven years ago. I hope it still feels relevant. I enjoy all holidays, but Independence Day, July Fourth, is especially significant. Not only are gifts not expected, and the food is plentiful, but it reminds me of my freedom and how it isn’t free—the cost is immense. We are the luckiest people in … [Read more...]
Lucy’s in training
Lucy’s in training—I won’t see her for three weeks. I feel like a basketball player without a basketball. I’m guessing she is wondering, what the heck? For ten months, she has been the center of my schedule and the reason I greet mornings with the sunrise. But, she needs to stop, come, and heel so we can live in harmony and she doesn’t run off to get hit or lost. She is no … [Read more...]
What makes your heart sing sweeter?
Jennifer Goble (Courtesy photo) Browsing around a thrift store, one of my favorite activities, a small bluebird caught my eye. It was a little ugly but made out of cast iron and had a price tag of only one dollar. I knew it was mine. At the house, I sat her on the railing opposite my other cast-iron bird. How proud I was of my great find. But her shabby baby blue paint job made … [Read more...]
People help you, and you help them right back
Graduation ceremonies are close to the top of my enjoyment list. Maybe because I’ve been there, but it is good for my heart to see teachers, staff, students, and parents work together to organize the gymnasium and ceremony, the speeches, slide show, music, awards, and presentation of diplomas. Impressive. Watching friends and family support and cheer for their graduating … [Read more...]