“Our place is part of what we are.” Gary Snyder I’m reading ‘The Practice of the Wild’ by Gary Snyder. It’s been on my list for some years now, and in my very large TBR (and ever-growing) stack. His words are making me think about our landscapes and how they help shape the narratives of … More A Sense of Place
Hey that’s me! I’m 5-0! I turned a half-century old (young?) on June 17. My husband and I celebrated by heading to the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. As much as I love to hike and as many times as I’ve been to the mountains, I had never taken the time to visit the waterfalls that … More 50–Wow! It Really IS Just a Number.
Photo of a strangely beautiful abandoned country farmhouse, Norwood, Virginia. Taken Nov. 2017. I attended a couple of powerful lectures this week at Duke University. Wednesday night I saw Natasha Trethewey, our former US Poet Laureate. Last night I saw Richard Rodriguez, memoirist and essayist. They touched on similar themes and both have me thinking … More Strange Beauty: Wounds, Loss, Exile, Survival
Here it is March 12, nearly Spring, and it is snowing in North Carolina. I’m just fine being stuck inside because I am happily lost deep within the pages of a captivating book: Lee Smith’s ‘Dimestore.’ … More Snowy Day Reading: Lee Smith’s ‘Dimestore’
This is a post I wrote last year for my 48th birthday. I’m sharing it again today. Tomorrow is my actual birthday but, as I have plans, I won’t be blogging. If you know me well, you know I love growing older. I’ve had too many family members and friends who were not given the opportunity … More On the Occasion of a Woman Turning 48
Poetry is an important part of my life so I often manage to place a poem or two in my blog posts. Since April is National Poetry Month, I wanted to dedicate this whole post to one of the most meaningful and transformational poems I have ever read. This poem appeared in my life during … More Love After Love: Poetry, Hecate, and Transitions
The Time is Now Sitting cross-legged on the linoleum floor two tiny girls, pigtails, doggy-flaps, bodies wriggling. Brown eyes, blue eyes watching every move I make. Telling silly stories. Giggling. Squirming to and fro no hurry, no worry. We are here together. After a while, I notice the pile of dirty laundry, heap of … More Don’t Look Away: The Time is Now
Originally posted on Giving Voice to My Astonishment:
“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” This quote by Thich Nhat Hanh is one of my favorites. It always reminds me of the fairy tale, “The Ugly Duckling.” The duckling claims his…
On the Occasion of a Woman Turning 48: Some random late night birthday thoughts. First of all, thank you to Mom and Dad who created, carried, nurtured, raised, and taught me. And loved me, even when I acted unlovable. I owe you my existence, my life. I am grateful. My 48th birthday. Where to start? … More On the Occasion of a Woman Turning 48
Roses, authenticity, everything which is yes. “The rose is without why; it blooms simply because it blooms. It pays no attention to itself, nor does it ask whether anyone sees it.” ~~Angelus Silesius “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~~Ralph Waldo … More A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
Giving Voice to My Astonishment 
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