So Angry, I Cried Tears of Relief

by Jan on August 10, 2021

I looked in Victoria’s Secret window and started to cry. Images of large stunning women that in my day would have been judged unacceptable and fat. That word, ‘fat,’ was a dreaded word that influenced and pre-programmed many perceptions about myself. I came from the world tainted by Twiggy, the 1960’s bone-thin fashion model who […]

IRRELEVANT

May 8, 2025

There’s more than a few of us who have a growing concern. Some have sailed beyond the waters of desired importance while others of us wonder what it means when a Gen-Z looks at us and says we’re snatched. I scratch my head and wonder. The other day our 18 year old granddaughter said to […]

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LIVING OUT OF MY POCKETS

April 8, 2025

The older I get the more stuff I throw away. Do I really need this tea cozy I got as a wedding gift in 1976? Or how about this huge plastic bag lof hooks and snaps that will come in handy someday? Or hey, looky here! A smashed open pinata from my daughter’s 7th birthday….she’s […]

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APPRECIATING ALL THINGS MUNDANE

November 13, 2024

As I age I’m observing myself perform exactly the same routine in getting ready for my day and in preparing for bedtime including not only my comprehensive skin care drill but also the necessary rigamarole of taking my meds and making sure I already took them before taking them again, using outrageously expensive eye drops […]

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YOU BETTER STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT

February 27, 2024
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This phrase has been playing on repeat in my mind the last couple days. Where did it come from? It feels like it’s coming from angry threatening voices. It’s all a bit mirky…Oh yeah, now I remember… Bad behavior, talking back, unacceptable grades or just about anything that would anger or embarrass my parents warranted: […]

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MISTAKEN

December 28, 2023
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It was almost closing time when struggling to get my card out of my wallet, I walked in. The attendant looked deeply into my eyes with concern and asked, “Where do you want to go, hon?” I replied, “I just need to get some vegetables.” She gave me a doubtful look. It appears I had […]

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That’s What She Said

November 30, 2023

What do you do when you hear someone’s opinions about other people that feel maligning and malicious? It is kinda what we do sometimes when we feel insecure about ourselves and want to be accepted. And while the gossiper may feel a moment of power by tearing others down in their quest to feel better […]

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Peeling the Onion, Torturously Divine

October 18, 2023

I don’t think my deepest regret in life will be that I didn’t learn to line dance, although that did make for an awkward evening at the Bushwackers Saloon, but rather that I didn’t take the time or have the courage to dig into my story and allow the light to penetrate unhealed wounds. Well, […]

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The Columbus Day Storm of 1962 

October 9, 2023
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I would not have guessed that morning, walking to school, we would end the day huddled under our stairs around one gas lantern. On our trek home that particular day, the wind whipped as we tried to hold our skirts down, and we laughed at the sight of our hair standing on end. I went […]

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Losing Friends

May 3, 2023

They come, and they go in and out of the seasons of our days. And then there are those who stay no matter what. 707 girls you know who you are. I’ve been fortunate to have many acquaintances and friends throughout my life’s journey. They have witnessed me stupid, brilliant, and dull and funny, but […]

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THE POWER OF THE PEEK

December 23, 2022

  Mrs. Garrison was my third-grade teacher, who more than once held up her stub and warned us never to stick our hands into an electric mixer while it was running. I learned many things we should and shouldn’t do, adhering to some and violating many. I embarked upon the latter this particular year, a […]

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