Just when I think I’m going to have a normal week (i.e. one not bogged down with getting caught up with work and chores, but one actually spent working and “choring” at a regular pace!), a gigantic tree about 20 feet from my house decides to give up on life and take a few power and telephone lines down with it.
Fortunately, no one (and no homes) were hurt, but most of my street went without power and/or telephones for two days – which not only blows for people who, you know, want to keep the food in their refrigerators cold, …read more

When someone very close to me lost a parent last weekend, my own life paused (actually, my own life paused the stressful and devastating week leading up to the death).
My work, my commitments, and my pets (thank God I live close to my family) took a back seat while I stood beside another person and helped with everything from everyday needs (laundry, trash, and bills) to those tasks we never want to complete but know, most likely, we’ll have to tackle some day (phone calls, funeral arrangements, and that last, long drive from the cemetery).
Being a person’s support system means …read more