Published inMiddle-Pause·PinnedMember-onlyI Sang Happy Birthday to Joni MitchellMy lady of the canyon — I grew up listening, singing, and playing my guitar to Joni Mitchell tunes. She was my generation’s Taylor Swift. My go-to mentor when things in life went blue and sank into despair. My ferrywoman, who guided me past the “dizzy dancing” clouds of illusion — holding my hand as I…Joni Mitchell5 min readJoni Mitchell5 min read
Published inMiddle-Pause·PinnedMember-onlyA Slob Takes on Milan’s Fashion WeekI’m owning this hot mess — I’m a slob in Milan. That’s right. I find myself in Fashion Week because of a glitch in plans. I’m supposed to be in Lake Como, but forecasts of downpours changed my plans. While many fashionistas might like being in Italy for a week of the latest styles, I’m cringing…Women5 min readWomen5 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·PinnedMember-onlyMy Husband’s on a Death CleanPurging a life of knick-knacks and tchotchkes — My husband has been a bit under the weather as of late with a bronchial infection that lingers on. He was a smoker for years and now just smokes the occasional cigar. So there is always this fear of the worst-case scenario. …Aging5 min readAging5 min read
Published inThe Lark·PinnedMember-onlyThe Spinning RevoltBreaking the cycle — I’m spinning my wheels over and over grinding them into the same grungy Soul Cycle doing the same DAMN THING with little satisfaction hungry as hell and brain fogged from all the intermittent fads I mean fasts So that’s when I decided I had to make me a change quit the spinning classes try…The Lark3 min readThe Lark3 min read
Published inMiddle-Pause·PinnedMember-onlyI’m a Self-Diagnosed Nut-Case: Yoga HelpsIf you see me staring into space, call 911 — Like many people out there on this burning planet, I suffer from bouts of depression, the type that has me staring into the talking heads on television for days at a time. It’s debilitating. The triggers are the same. The shock and horror of the daily NEWS and the trials…Middle Pause6 min readMiddle Pause6 min read
Published inMiddle-Pause·3 days agoMember-onlyChronicles from the Dean of Curiosity: My Lifelong Quest for AnswersAn unusual call to adventure — I was born curious. A curiosity that makes me wonder about life's what, where, who, and mostly why. Why is a question that pops up a few times a day in the ordinary course of my daily life. What is that homeless man smoking in his vape? Where is his family? Who…Life5 min readLife5 min read
Published inThe Community Building Movement·4 days agoMember-onlyLet’s ReadCommunity Reading Group — Welcome back to our reading community. I took Thanksgiving week off to focus on family and am ready to give this another go. We have some thoughtful stories to read this week. Much gratitude to those original members who never miss a week to write, read, and support their fellow…Read3 min readRead3 min read
Published inThe Haven·Nov 24Member-onlyTapestry —AI’s Cult WordWhen I see it, I projectile vomit through the screen — I puke every time I see the word Tapestry in Medium articles. Look out if you read this, as some day-old Lasagna might seep through the screen and gross out your keyboard. If you are an AI content-communicant I hope it sets you back at least a few bucks. …Humor4 min readHumor4 min read
Published inMiddle-Pause·Nov 20Member-onlyUnderstanding Each Other One Meal at a TimeGastrodiplomacy: A culinary journey of differing perspectives — Chief Daniel is a patriarch and the designated leader of his Barabaig tribe. He rules on major decisions and considers women like me a mule to carry out the chores that keep the community thriving. …Life4 min readLife4 min read
Published inThe Community Building Movement·Updated Nov 17Member-onlyReal Writers ReadDo you? — Real Writers Read Welcome back to our reading community. We have some great stories to read this week. Thank you to those original members who never miss a week to write, read, and support their fellow writers. With the rest, it appears to be a game of musical writers. …Read3 min readRead3 min read