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”
Category Archives: Into the Wilderness
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?”
It’s never too late to transform
Into the Wilderness: Story 35 I was able to “retire” early- not to stop working, sleep in and watch TV. I retired early intending to reinvent myself. I’ve already started this transformation- and I’m so excited about what is ahead. I’ve reinvented myself several times in my life. I was an editor of academic journals,Continue reading “It’s never too late to transform”
Celebrating 50!
Into the Wilderness: Story 34 Raising Autism: Connection 101 The other day, WordPress sent me a congratulations: Walk the Moon has reached 50 posts! At first I did what I normally do. I minimized, “that’s all.” But immediately, I reframed. Wow, 50! That’s an impressive number. Doing 50 of any task isn’t easy. Take 50Continue reading “Celebrating 50!”
Orion’s Belt
Into the Wilderness: Story 33 One of the different things I tried in 2024 was new traditions. By traditions, I don’t mean religion. I am aiming to be specifically non-religious. I am Greek Orthodox, one of, if not the earliest form, of Christianity, alongside Catholicism. For years, I attended church every Sunday, a significant commitmentContinue reading “Orion’s Belt”
Walk the Moon 