I just realized tonight that I missed my friend Mary’s birthday on April 10. I feel really crappy about that because I’ve never missed at least sending her a note on her birthday. She was a good friend of my mom’s when we were growing up and has been a good friend of mine since I’ve grown  up. I remember how much I admired her when I was a kid. (I still do!) She always seemed confident and in charge. I know now that her life had difficulties just like everyone’s did, but when I was a child, I thought I wanted to be like her when I grew up–a…

I said yesterday that we’re having a true Midwest springtime this year, and so we are. Today has been gray and chilly–like in the 30s and 40s chilly–with the occasional burst of sunshine. The last few years, we’ve just skipped spring and went from winter to hot summer, so this is unusual. I’m glad though because one thing I like about living in the Midwest (there are lots of things, actually) is experiencing all four seasons. However, I confess I spent the afternoon in the cottage and even now, I’m wrapped in a sweater and a blanket. This morning, we went to Bailey’s Discount Center–a giant warehouse of…well, stuff. It’s…

Yeah, I missed it again. I’d like to say I have a great excuse, but of course, I don’t. This time it was the wine. I wasn’t stinko or anything like that, but we had a dinner guest here at the lake. We had a fabulous meal (compliments of Husband’s and my committee effort of spaghetti and salad and bruschetta) and even more fabulous conversation, and of course… fabulous wine. We opened a bottle of 2010 Rancho Zabaco zin…man, is this stuff good wine with pasta! We shared it and then finished the bottle of merlot we had already opened yesterday, so I was mellow. More mellow than I thought,…

I didn’t cry today. That’s not good or bad news, particularly, it’s just what it was. It isn’t that I felt too empty to cry–I didn’t. It isn’t that I was deliriously happy all day–I wasn’t. And it isn’t that I didn’t think  of Kate at all today–I did. Several times actually. But I was content today, just doing ordinary things–it was a normal pre-December 19, 2014 day… and the pain in my side is gone. Is that a start? I don’t know, but it feels fragile and like I want to protect and nurture this feeling… this peace… Five Things I’m Grateful for Today: Our yard is greening up.…

It’s late and I’ve been going strong all day with barely a moment to think about much of anything except getting ready for the IRWA Making Magic Miniconference. Liz arrive this morning, she and I finished our raffle basket (it’s great!), and then headed downtown to meet Lani and Alastair, who came in from New York to be our speakers at the event. It has so wonderful to spend time with Liz, who always makes me feel safe and loved–she is a blessing. I lost it a little when I saw Lani, who immediately hugged me tight and said, “Oh, baby, it’s so good to see you.” She’s been a…

I went for a walk with my lake pal, Moe, today–we walked about two miles down the bay front road and then all around Blue Spruce Road. We found an abandoned bird’s nest in the brush and trees along the gravel road. We rescued the tiny nest from the sapling it was in and discovered hatched eggs–probably from last spring still in the nest. They’re so small and fragile–we’re not sure what kind of bird laid them. But Moe’s going to use it as part of birdcage decoration she’s making, so it will continue to be beautiful. The wildflowers are blooming alongside the road–spring beauties, violets, and the little white…