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”
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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”
Never Underestimate Small-Town Artists
Last summer, I wandered into a local art show not expecting very much. I had visited a few art galleries in my time. You know, those ones you might find at a city hall or some museum featuring a host of other stuff. But it was always the big city version, not a small town. Continue reading “Never Underestimate Small-Town Artists”
The Lexi Thompson “Retirement” That Wasn’t
I’ve been watching the reaction to Lexi Thompson’s “retirement” headlines that still show up sometimes and shaking my head a little. They usually show up when she commits to a tournament. The reaction is often, “I thought she retired or was retiring.” “For someone who retired, she sure plays a lot.” And, let’s face it,Continue reading “The Lexi Thompson “Retirement” That Wasn’t”
When Work Crowds Out Worry
Something happens when I’m busy. I’m not talking about pull-your-hair-out busy or overwhelmed busy, just steady, productive busy. When the work is flowing – articles being written, edits being made, ideas being shaped, outreach – something else quietly disappears from the background of my mind. Worry. It doesn’t vanish entirely, of course. Life doesn’t workContinue reading “When Work Crowds Out Worry”
When an Old Foot Injury Decides to Make a Comeback
One of the less glamorous parts of getting older is discovering that old injuries never really leave. They just wait. Quietly. Patiently. And then, out of nowhere, they remind you they’re still there. That happened to me yesterday. Years ago, I hurt my left foot. I don’t even remember every detail now, only that IContinue reading “When an Old Foot Injury Decides to Make a Comeback”
The Unwritten Rules of Waiting Rooms
Doctor’s offices, dentists, hospital clinics, service departments, government buildings – they all have their own purpose, but the atmosphere is almost always the same. A quiet, slightly awkward space where a group of strangers sits together, waiting for their turn for something. And even though nobody ever explains them, waiting rooms seem to operate underContinue reading “The Unwritten Rules of Waiting Rooms”
The Secret Relief of Cancelled Plans (Introverts Know This Feeling)
Second entry in the Introvert series. You check your phone and see a message pop up. “Hey, sorry… something came up tonight. Can we reschedule?” Before you even finish reading it, something unexpected happens. A small wave of relief washes over you. You type back a polite reply, of course – something like, “No problemContinue reading “The Secret Relief of Cancelled Plans (Introverts Know This Feeling)”
The Two-Hour Social Window Is An Introvert’s Secret Clock
Most introverts (like me) know something about themselves that they rarely say out loud. If they attend a social gathering, they’ll probably enjoy it. But after about two hours – three, max, they’ll likely be ready to go home. Not because the evening was bad or because the people weren’t pleasant. But because somewhere inside,Continue reading “The Two-Hour Social Window Is An Introvert’s Secret Clock”
Finding Warmth in Gulf Shores
The next entry in my occasional travel series of places I’ve been to. If you grow up in northern latitudes, winter vacations usually point in a few directions: the Caribbean, Florida, Arizona, maybe Texas, or Hawaii. But twice now, I’ve flown toward a different stretch of coastline – Gulf Shores, Alabama – and both timesContinue reading “Finding Warmth in Gulf Shores”
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