Blogiversity.org

The gifts of maturity are many. Having lived a generous number of years means I can look back and say “I lived through that, I can live through this.” I’ve learned to be easier on myself, though I’m sometimes ashamed of how hard I am on others. The alternatives to aging aren’t attractive anyhow, and...

Like many other chronic illnesses, Alzheimers has a mysterious rhythm of good days and bad, but gradually what you used to consider a very bad day becomes the norm. The good days are now a pleasant surprise, but Mom's not able to string many of them together anymore. I've read a few books--memoirs...

I overslept this morning, but was out of bed with coffee in hand by 6:00. I had my boy up, fed, bathed, dressed and walked to school by 7:35. By 7:45 I was home again, and getting ready for work. Again this morning I tried very hard to get to work by 8:30 instead of 9:00, but 8:50 was the best I could...

"Marry in haste; repent in liesure." This from my sister, my confidant. I won't go into all the gruesome details, but having adult stepkids is hard, hard, hard. The fact that my husband raised them alone for 13 years after his divorce makes it harder. Eight years into our marriage, they...

The ongoing saga of Jack: It really did seem cruel to deny Jack the Mommy time we'd planned, and sometimes I think backing off all the punishment and allowing for a time to be close again does more to improve behavior than all the denied privileges. Do I sound like I'm making excuses for myself...

Jack's on red again! This time the little yellow note says when all the kids were lined up to go to their karate class, he got out of line and sat down at one of the computers. When he was told to get back in line, he said that was the only place he was allowed to play computer games, and refused...

Solitude. The word is like susurant wind in the pines. It's the sound I've heard alone in the mountains, in a shady, fragrant grove on a hot day. It's the sound of small, slow Gulf of Mexico waves. In my last blog, I wrote of having gone off by myself into the Ozark mountains, and the yearning...

If you read my blog the other day comparing Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears, you maybe remember that Amy had an appointment with officials at the US Embassy in London. The results are kind of good news/bad news, but more good than bad. The bad news is that her application for a visa to attend the Grammy...

Oh, those girls. One goes out on the town without underwear, and the other stumbles around in only a bra and jeans. Amy Winehouse, despite appearances, is only 24; Britney Spears is only 26. I'll bet neither of them likes to being compared to the other. I’d hate to have to lay odds on a complete...

As every therapist knows, addictive behavior cannot be cured by shame, because addicts are already deeply ashamed. Something affirmative and environmentally benign must be found to fill the inner void. Some psychologists believe the joy and pleasure of the natural world can itself provide that emotional...