Trauma (tanka)

February 7, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

Took some time to re-evaluate where my energy goes, as my health has been deteriorating lately. The one thing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis teaches is that energy for anything (be it mental, emotional, or physical exertion) is limited. Trying on a stripped back existence in order to reset. That has meant limited screen time. “The idle mind is the devil’s […]

Igniting Wonder

December 20, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Health issues have dampened my Christmas spirit. Not that I was ever overly enthusiastic – too many memories cloud the seasons – and this year, there is no energy to decorate the house. Ric’s solution is to call in help, and I confess that even that sets me deeper into depression. How will I manage the commotion? Natasha […]

Santa’s on His Way?

November 17, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

I created this piece a week ago. Weather was turning, and I got inspired to make lists, and then, wham….Ric and I tested positive for COVID. Damn! The doctor immediately prescribed Paxlovid with a warning that it would cause a terrible taste in my mouth (it does) and likely affect my gastrointestinal system. No joke […]

Rocky Path

August 23, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Last time I was in the hospital, the admitting doctor asked me about a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. “Have you had the opportunity to discuss it with a loved one?” she asked. “Of course. No heroic measures!” I emphasized. “I’ve spent the last ten years living with chronic disease; I have no aspiration to […]

Life’s a b**ch!

July 23, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

“You can’t catch a break!” These words from the ER doc last Sunday. After a week of “runs”, I finally went to hospital. “When you were here last, there was an outbreak of C. difficile. Pretty sure that’s what this is, but we’ll take a sample and send it to the lab.” C. difficile! “What’s […]

Not a Chance, Lady

July 10, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

I decided to ignore the tugging signs and drive the car the short distance to the river. The day was overcast, so I reasoned that the light would not bother my eyes. Some things are not meant to be. Lifting my camera to shoot the heron lingering in the shallows, I realized that my right […]

Cornered

June 23, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

It was the pitch of the two dogs barking in the backyard that alerted me to trouble. That and Pippi, the female, growling. The two had cornered a young groundhog between the deck steps and a tiered planter. After I sternly sent them back inside, I went out to check on the animal’s wellbeing. “He’s […]

Pacing

June 21, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Re-emergence

June 11, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hard to pinpoint when it all started. Was it the night before, when I pushed myself to finish that knitting project even though my eyes were so blurry that I had to feel my way through? Was it the day before, when I noticed that my breathing was compromised? I do know that I awoke […]

Non-Compliance

March 1, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

If I listen to my body, I will lose hope. I will lie down, and never get up again. I am sticking to non-compliance, and hitching my hope to will. Mine and God’s. …as soon as I can get out of this bed… (On Wednesdays, I borrow from old writings – journals and blog posts. […]