The Change by Kirsten MillerFormat: AudiobookMy rating: 5 of 5 starsGenre: Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery “Why do you think women are designed to outlive men? Why do we keep going for thirty years after our bodies can no longer reproduce? Do you think nature meant for those years to be useless? No, of course Read More
Category: Living
A Different Kind of Pause
Squirming into clothes in a fitting room at Nordstrom Rack, finally resigned to buy shorts a size bigger than last summer, I look into the mirror and see my sweat-covered face sporting raccoon eyes from the crappy non-waterproof mascara I bought to save a few bucks. A snapshot of my life these days. It’s funny Read More
Weekend Book Review: If This Were Fiction
Continuing my weekend book review series, I’m choosing If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays, by Jill Christman. These beautifully illuminating essays are about motherhood, laying ghosts to rest, embracing grief, and most of all, love. Love for Jill Christman’s long-ago fiancé, who died young in a car accident; for her children; for Read More
What Not to Say
I recently attended a gathering with extended family, many of whom I’d not spoken to in years. A lot of families find themselves lives and miles apart, once the matriarch and patriarch have passed away, and mine is no exception. When we do get together, conversations often feel arbitrary or surface; how do two people Read More
June’s Word of the Month: Pause
The typical school year is a long, steady race to the finish line; most teachers take some time in June to pause. I chose the word Pause, even though I am teaching summer school for most of the month, because this time of year contains some space, a pause to rest and reflect, nap and Read More
Weekend Book Review: Wholehearted Faith
Last weekend I began my weekend book review series, and if you missed it you can read it here. Today, I’m choosing and highly recommending a wonderful Christian non-fiction book I read by Rachel Held Evans called Wholehearted Faith. Happy reading! This Week’s Pick: Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans Genre: Christian non-fiction Page Length: Read More
May Intentions Update: Late Bloom
It turns out, May wasn’t the full bloom I expected. Instead of a realizing of potential and an unfolding of energy, the month became more of a frustrated attempt to progress. The blocked sun made me hide my head rather than fully flower. Yet like so many things, it ended in a late bloom. As Read More
Weekend Book Review: An Unlasting Home
In an effort to reflect and share the new passions I found once I ditched alcohol, I’m starting a weekend book review, featuring some of my favorite books. This weekly feature will share my insights and recommendations on literary and historical fiction and well as non-fiction quit-lit, memoirs, nature, Christian and self-help. My hope is Read More
Conversations with God in the Night
Lately, I find myself having conversations with God in the middle of the night. Actually, it’s more early morning hours, but definitely during my 6-7 hour sleep window. I’m protective of my sleep now that I don’t drink. When you go from disrupted, tortured sleep being the norm, you want to proctect and preserve your Read More
Covered in Love
One of the small delights of spring is watching the arrival of baby birds and the devoted care they receive from their mothers. At the lake I saw a killdeer huddled up on the shore and I thought it strange because they usually skitter along the water’s edge, busily feeding. She finally popped up and Read More