My daughter reminded me on Facebook that four years ago now I blogged about my husband and I spending Labor Day at Navy Pier in Chicago. She wondered what I would be writing about this Labor Day from our new home in Sioux Falls. Well, it’s this. My life has changed. It’s not been my …
From City Walker to Granny-on-the-go
After six weeks in our new home, I’d say most things are good but some things not. I’ll deal with a few “not’s” today. In my effort to be open to new experiences, I joined my daughter’s fitness center. To my surprise, my husband joined too. Not a problem really, but yesterday we had our …
The Move (9) — Musings at a Month
A month ago yesterday, I arrived in Sioux Falls; Marv had come three days before. We are mostly unpacked, and for those of you who are following the story of our move from Chicago, we've found Box 61. Or, I should say, Marv has found Box 61. In the pantry. How it got there, I'll …
Writing Essay at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival – 2016
I spent last week at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival taking a class in writing essay, using process pedagogy and taught by Nancy Barry. Look at it this way: the writer explores (writes into) a topic, several iterations, to find out what they really want to write about, and the writer also uses feedback to …
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The Move (8) — Settling In
I’m sitting here at my newly configured desk in our joint study in Sioux Falls that looks out on grass and trees—at least three evergreens and some maples, I think. I will learn more about the terrain as I go along. For now, I see green; no more skyscrapers, Lake Michigan or Millennium Park. Green …
The Move (7) — Leaving Five Places
Fifty years ago we moved to the Chicago area, and as I’m contemplating moving again next week, I’m skipping through the five places we’ve lived in my mind. It was a hot sultry summer in 1966 when we took up temporary residence in our Aunt Jennie’s basement bedroom on 57th Court in the western suburb …
Caring Lessons at Printers Row Lit Fest for Last Time
Since we're moving out of state, I will be at Printers Row Lit Fest for the last time with my book Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self. Date: Sunday, June 12, 2016 Time: 2-6pm Location:The first tent at the entrance to the Fest, corner of Congress Parkway and Dearborn, Chicago Writers Association …
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The Move (6) – You Are Where You Live / Setting as Character
As an on-again-off-again dieter, I know the meaning of “You are what you eat.” Depending on the era, I’m hot fudge sundae pudgy or Rye Crisp slim. Now, as an older gal in the process of moving away from my urban high-rise life, I’ve become hyperaware that “You are where you live.” It won’t be …
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Growing Older: The Move (5) – On the Run
Pace, pace, pace yourself. My mantra since accepting about a decade ago, finally, that I have fibromyalgia. Of course, I’d had it years before, but never wanted to acknowledge that the fatigue and deep burning muscle pains needed my attention. But I learned at last and now know if I’m ignoring my body and listening …
Write Along with Me 