Another entry in my travel log series The first thing that hits you about Joshua Tree National Park in California is the feeling of space. Wide desert landscapes stretch in every direction, broken up by massive piles of boulders that look as if someone dropped them there eons ago. And then there are the treesContinue reading “A Visit to Joshua Tree National Park”
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The Salton Sea and Slab City
Another entry in my ongoing travel series of places I’ve been. Travel often takes you to famous places. National parks, historic landmarks, scenic viewpoints, where the beauty of the landscape is obvious the moment you arrive. And then there are the places that don’t really seem to fit into any category. My trip to theContinue reading “The Salton Sea and Slab City”
Inside The Mind of a Narcissist
Understanding narcissistic behavior can feel like trying to solve a puzzle that never quite fits together. If you’ve ever dealt with someone who constantly distorts reality, lashes out unexpectedly, or seems incapable of accepting responsibility, you may have wondered what is going on inside their mind. A narcissist processes the world very differently from theContinue reading “Inside The Mind of a Narcissist”
The Line That Should Never Be Crossed
When someone knows you are facing extreme challenges in your life – major change, deep personal loss, or a period when you are barely holding yourself together – and you turn to them for help, or even just someone to talk to, and they choose to mistreat you instead, something nasty and darker is happening. Continue reading “The Line That Should Never Be Crossed”
Why Problems Always Seem Worse at Night
Nighttime has a way of enlarging problems. A bill that looked manageable at three in the afternoon can start to feel like a personal crisis at 11:30 p.m. A delayed freelance payment, an awkward conversation, a health concern, an unfinished task, or a broader struggle that has been sitting quietly in the background all dayContinue reading “Why Problems Always Seem Worse at Night”
The Strange Pull of Towns That Have Seen Better Days
A song lyric started it. “Nothing but the dead and dying back in my little town…” It’s a line from My Little Town by Simon & Garfunkel, and it’s one of those lines that sticks with you. Not because it’s cruel, but because it captures a feeling people recognize when they think about certain places.Continue reading “The Strange Pull of Towns That Have Seen Better Days”
The Concert Video Nobody Asked to See
There is a modern ritual that seems to happen sooner or later in almost every social interaction, and once you notice it, you realize it follows an almost perfectly predictable script. Someone reaches into their pocket, pulls out their phone, and with unmistakable enthusiasm says, “Hey, want to see a video from the concert weContinue reading “The Concert Video Nobody Asked to See”
When a Vacation Place Becomes Home
Some places begin as destinations. You arrive for a few days, maybe a week, take in the scenery, eat at the local restaurants, and then return to wherever you normally live. You think of the place as a getaway – a day-trip or week-long trip destination where other people seem to have built their lives.Continue reading “When a Vacation Place Becomes Home”
What The Shipping News Teaches About Starting Over
Some films are loud. They announce themselves with spectacle, drama, and sweeping triumph. Others move quietly, almost cautiously, revealing their meaning slowly with each viewing. The Shipping News is one of those slow reveal films. I’ve watched it several times over the years, and each time it hits me a little differently. The movie wasContinue reading “What The Shipping News Teaches About Starting Over”
When the Old You Doesn’t Quite Let Go
There’s an odd place people pass through when they start changing their lives. You know the old version of you is fading away. In many ways, it’s already gone. The habits are different. The priorities are shifting. The things that once filled your time or occupied your mind don’t hold the same appeal (or hurt)Continue reading “When the Old You Doesn’t Quite Let Go”
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