What You Need to Know About Culinary Therapy

What You Need to Know About Culinary Therapy

Now that’s a new one. I’d love to see a therapist that specialized in Culinary Therapy. Apparently, such a subset really exists and has appeared as a therapy format, proclaimed highly effective during our pandemic season. Go figure.

I always knew emotional eating was a way of coping, as food has been a go-to when I’m happy, upset, worried, or just bored. Last night my phone screamed for me to “Take Shelter” for a tornado alert. The warning sirene from the fire station echoed the alert so I crawled out of bed (why these alerts always happen at night, I don’t know?)

Uncovering a New Version of You

Uncovering a New Version of You

Months ago when I selected, Uncovering a New Version of You, as the subject for the April Writing Workshop topic, I had no idea the world would be turned upside down with an unseen enemy virus, COVID-19. This will certainly be a spring season to remember. Just as the tragedy of 911 reshaped our nation in ways we never imagined, so we’re in for a second shaping. This time, the whole world is feeling the effects.

Starting a few weeks ago, a new version of ourselves was introduced with the fanfare of fear and of the unknown. I had never noticed the tern, “social distancing” before, and certainly didn’t practice it. There was no way to anticipate the shutdown of our entire nation. I never dreamed I would see masked citizens and closed playgrounds. Police tape is wrapped around park benches to avoid sitting. Every form of entertainment shut down except for walking and even that has the mark of this new “beast.” I was stopped by the police and asked to leave a favorite walking spot near my home.

“Sorry Lady, this campus is closed for walking due to the virus.”

Join Me for April's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

Join Me for April's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

If your corner of the world has had the biggest snowstorm of the year, the worst is over! Happy Spring! It’s the perfect time to crack open your journal and join us this Sunday, April 12th at 8pm Eastern for a 45-minute writing workshop on the topic of Uncovering a New Version of You.

All skill levels and writing abilities are welcome! Even if you’ve never written anything more than a birthday card, this FREE class is for you! We’ll meet together online using Zoom (a free video-conferencing app, like Skype but better.) This will be our virtual classroom.

10-Things I've Learned so Far from 10-Days Of Quarantine

10-Things I've Learned so Far from 10-Days Of Quarantine

These days take no explanation more than to yell “it’s crazy out there!” I must say, I went into self-imposed staying home in stages. I didn’t want to drink the Kool-aid of fear and panic the media seemed to be serving 24/7. I took precautions, I was the person wearing red wool gloves at Walmart the other day when I ran low on mustard and salad. I rarely shop at that establishment and don’t know what prompted the visit as I passed 3 other grocery stores on my way. I survived.

But I’ve joined the stay at home ranks and am trying to make the best of it as are you.

That’s all we can do. Fortunately, I’m a home-body type. I like my house and enjoy the nest I’ve created. I say all that knowing I’ve been inside for 10 days now, except for walks in the neighborhood. For how much longer I will be content remains to be seen. Until then, I’ve decided to look on the bright side and list some things learned so far.

Join Me for March's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

Join Me for March's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

If your corner of the world has had the biggest snowstorm of the year, the worst is over! Happy Spring! It’s the perfect time to crack open your journal and join us this Sunday, March 8th at 8pm Eastern for a 45-minute writing workshop on the topic of Daily Bread.

All skill levels and writing abilities are welcome! Even if you’ve never written anything more than a birthday card, this FREE class is for you! We’ll meet together online using Zoom (a free video-conferencing app, like Skype but better.) This will be our virtual classroom.

LET'S WRITE! Join Me for February's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

LET'S WRITE! Join Me for February's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

Our first LET’S WRITE online workshop went so well, we’re doing it again this weekend! Please join us this Sunday, February 9th at 8pm Eastern for a 45-minute writing workshop on the topic of… Love In The Midst of Loss.

All skill levels and writing abilities are welcome! Even if you’ve never written anything more than a birthday card, this FREE class is for you! We’ll meet together online using Zoom (a free video-conferencing app, like Skype but better.) This will be our virtual classroom.

LET'S WRITE! Join Me for This Month's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

LET'S WRITE! Join Me for This Month's FREE Online Writing Workshop!

Join me on January 30th for a FREE monthly online writing workshop. All skill levels and writing abilities welcome! Even if you’ve never written anything more than a birthday card, this FREE class is for you! 

We’ll meet together online using Zoom as our virtual classroom. I’ll send along the conference call information before our meeting. And tell you how to download ZOOM if you don’t have it on your computer.

Each month we’ll discuss a theme, I’ll give a prompt and teach a few new journaling techniques.

It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s FREE. This is a great opportunity to meet others online from all over to write together. There’s no pressure to share your piece, and spelling, grammar or writing ability doesn’t matter.

Is Your Vision Clear?

Is Your Vision Clear?

Here we go, another New Year. I’m still trying to accomplish a To-Do list from 2018. Time marches on, and so must we, accomplishments checked off our list or not. I’ve decided to forget making any resolutions for this year since I never keep them anyway. For this new decade, especially since the year is an optometrists’ delight, I’ve dedicated 2020 to be a year of a new vision for me.

I know all about blurry sight.  All I need to do is take my glasses off and my sight smears as if looking at the world through a bouquet of cotton candy. There’s no distinct or sharp point of seeing. My glasses bend the light into my eye to create a sharp 20/20 vision.

I want to take that kind of clarity and make sure I see circumstances, opportunities and purpose up ahead in my life this next year. I want 2020 to be the year I see with clear vision the purpose set before me.

I'm Breaking a Family Holiday Tradition!

I'm Breaking a Family Holiday Tradition!

I’m breaking a family holiday tradition. The Christmas cookie tradition to be exact. It’s not what you’re thinking, however. I’m not talking about a long-held family recipe that dates back to a couple of grandmothers. I’m not even breaking the leave-a-few-cookies-for-Santa tradition…