Into the Wilderness: Story 3, Mom Week 3 was the hardest. That’s 21 days. It takes 21 days, the saying goes, to form a habit. Up to 21 days for butterflies to grow in their chrysalis. Twenty-one days for the average house fly to live its entire life. It took 21 days for Catina toContinue reading “Twenty-one- Republished”
Author Archives: Cheryl Wipper
Moonshine- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 2 When I think of moonshine it’s not bootleg whiskey that comes to mind. It’s the bold calling of the moon through the sugar maples and hemlocks on the Blue Ridge mountains. Late summer heat and humidity be damned, Catina, Chuck and I snuggled together on her sleeping bag looking atContinue reading “Moonshine- Republished”
The cat and the mouse
Into the Wilderness: Story 41 The other night, one of my cat’s jaunted up from the basement, tail in air, with a mouse. She was so proud of her treasure. My daughter, recognizing the gift that likely would have landed on her bed, squealed. The cat dropped the mouse. The mouse was still alive. Unhurt.Continue reading “The cat and the mouse”
Stretching
Into the Wilderness: Story 40 This morning, I taught a Stretch class at Jazzercise. The format is about recovery and restoration. Stretching heals muscles, prevents injury, improves flexibility and increases wellbeing. It’s a necessary part of any fitness program. As I led the class through the stretches, I thought about mental and emotional recovery, especiallyContinue reading “Stretching”
More about the boy
Into the Wilderness: Story 39 Another week has passed since I lost my “son.” Day by day, I heal. The heart tug dissipates. The yearning evaporates while I focus on the family I have rather than the one I don’t. What has surprised me, however, is the effect on our furry family members. Our petsContinue reading “More about the boy”
What’s happening to boys?
Into the Wilderness: Story 38 Is a trend emerging? Nice boys, raised by dedicated mothers, taught to respect women and see the world’s inequality toward women. Boys who made room in the school yard for girls to join ball games. Teens and young men who knew and honored the meaning of “no.” Twenty-something male adultsContinue reading “What’s happening to boys?”
Resiliency hangover?
Into the the wilderness: Story 37 One of my strengths has been resilience. If you’ve read the wilderness entries of Walk the Moon, you’ll see that my family and I have been through a lot- and those entries are only a few of many dramatic and traumatic events, with some good times for imagined balance.Continue reading “Resiliency hangover?”
Softly, Softly
A Surviving Facts Blog At least a decade ago, a British friend of mine used to say, when faced with a challenge, “softly, softly catch a monkey.” His lilting West Country accent dramatically underscored the saying. His words always made me chuckle, but the saying was more than funny. Until he used this phrase, IContinue reading “Softly, Softly”
Are you enjoying Ostara week?
A Surviving Facts Blog Everywhere I went this past weekend, people wished me Happy Easter. I politely smiled and thanked them. But that’s not what I wanted to say. What I wanted to say is- what if I’m not Christian? What if I don’t celebrate Easter? I’ve shared with you before that I am aContinue reading “Are you enjoying Ostara week?”
For art’s sake
A Surviving Facts Blog When I was an adolescent, I struggled with learning. In the third grade- the year I moved to a new school system and first became chubby- I began in the most advanced class and was pushed down lower and lower until the school wanted to place me in special education. ThisContinue reading “For art’s sake”
Walk the Moon 