And Then There Was Hope

April 27, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Three years ago today, I dragged myself out of bed, and with the aid of my walker (and likely a wheelchair), I paid a visit to a local doctor/ practitioner of Functional Medicine. Getting out in those days was a huge ordeal, and typically entailed a backlash that would last weeks. I was that sick. […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #45: Anniversary

April 22, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

“It’s been 45 years, today, since my father passed away,” Ric blurted out the other day. “He’s been gone for twice as long as I knew him.” Easter is a hard time for Ric, as it linked to the loss of many people dear to him. April 15th, for me, represents my first date with […]

We Are Not Alone

April 21, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Mom, I keep seeing 11:11 or 1:11, and sometimes other numbers repeated.” “It’s been happening to me, too.” “What does it mean?” “I’m not certain. One is the number of new beginnings, but I’ve been seeing other numbers too. No matter what the meaning, it indicates that someone is looking out for us. We’ll be […]

Numbers and Chronic Illness

April 18, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

It’s been 5 years since illness knocked me off my feet. Tuesday, I visited the doctor with a list of 12 symptoms to discuss. She had 4 things to cover with me. We spent 1 hour and she took 2 samples, and set me up with 1 specialist and 3 more tests. She gave me […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #44: Numerology

April 15, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Numerology – the study of numbers and their connection to life patterns – fascinated me for many years. I came across a book, Numerology and the Divine Triangle which explained the Pythagorean theory of numbers. Like a psychic detective, I set out to uncover the mysteries of life, hoping, as we all do, to gain […]

Let It Rain

April 14, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Spring rain, the consensus seems to be, is the refreshment we need as winter’s barren stretch ends. Things continue to be piled up over here, the unpacking process disrupted by company and sleepovers. It is good to be home, and at the same time, I am feeling an inner fragility, overcome by exhaustion and the […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #43: Rain

April 8, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Raindrops, not tears,blur my vision –the line of trees before mea glistening blur.The pounding in my templesis just the steady rhythmof watery drip, drip, drip,not the incessant roarof my blood pounding –discordant is this day. I wrote this piece while stranded in Mississippi, with eighteen hours of driving still ahead of us, and no idea […]

Farewell to Farewells

April 7, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Total exhaustion has taken hold. Brain is fried, emotions taut, body shot. Monday as we prepared to pull out, my right leg collapsed and as I reached out to stop the fall, I grasped with my left arm, wrenching an already torn shoulder. It did not bode well for the trip home. With a dead […]

Hello April

April 4, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

April means farewell, for we winter Texans. Not fated to be a quick journey, as problems keep arising, grounding travel, and interfering with our plans. Nevertheless, April means Spring and everywhere we look the birds are twittering with extra fervency – is that romance in the air? And even though we’ve encountered setbacks – breakdowns […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #42: farewell

April 1, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

As you read this, Ric and I will be saying farewell to Texas and our cozy home on the canal. We leave behind new friends, the countless birds who have so entertained us, and the beautiful Gulf Coast. I am both excited to be home, and sad to end our time here. But isn’t that […]