|
Location: Moonstone Beach, Rhode Island
Date: February 2022 This is just one of the many photos that I took of one of my most favorite places in Rhode Island: Moonstone Beach. The stones are like jewels and it is a peaceful place to visit during the couple of months that you are allowed to explore it. This is one of my 'go to' places to take out of town visitors to when they are in town. It is always a favorite destination. And, bonus: Daddy's Bread is just up the street! It is a family owned bakery that offers up some of THE BEST BREAD around but it is only open during summer months and on the weekends.
REFLECTIONS
POEM
SONG
0 Comments
Location: St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
Date: October 2024 I took this photo on my third visit to see my daughter who attends St. Andrews University and discovered it on a tour of The St Andrews Botanic Garden which is an 18-acre botanical garden in the university town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. It is located on the banks of the wooded Kinness Burn in the Canongate area, on the southern edge of the town. Of course, there weren't any flowers blooming at that time of year, but when I entered this garden, the tree stopped me in my tracks.
REFLECTIONS
POEM
MUSIC
There's nothing I like more than a good boundary. Okay, that isn't exactly true. I like coconut cake, stop-me-in-my-tracks art, and genuine random acts of kindness a bit more that creating a good boundary. But, truth be told, I have learned that the more I go into the scary, 'oh this is so effing uncomfortable' space of advocating for myself via a good ole boundary, I feel so much personal power. I grew up in a house without any boundaries. For example, in my teens, my mother 'stole' a few boyfriends from me. A couple ended up living with us, too. That is a story I won't lean into here (and I've done a lot of work on navigating all the crap associated with those experiences) but I share it to emphasize some of my own 'that sucked' events as a young person. Not a stretch to realize I had some boundary setting struggles. After some therapy in the early days and lifelong learning through reading/podcasts/conversations/experiences, I leaned into getting really serious about becoming my own Boundary Boss - and it has paid off for me one hundred fold. Now, don't get me wrong, folks. It still carries discomfort to stand up for myself (believe it or not) but I gotta tell you, it has become truly liberating to gently (or not so softly in some cases) advise someone to back the eff off. This will be something I must keep front of mind for the rest of my life and I am here to share with you, dear reader of this post, if you do the work by starting with your own version of baby steps, it can have a tremendous impact on your life.  I think I discovered the secret of life. Last week or so, I enjoyed a happy hour beverage with a new work friend who is a 24-year-old fella and we got to talk in about life. And it was in our conversation I just had this wild sensation of time travel back to when I was in my mid-twenties. I was struck by how much life had transpired since those days And I realized that had I adopted a more mindful way of being, the past few decades wouldn't feel like a blink of an eye. Nowadays, I am more mindful with my experiences. I'm really absorbing using every sense I can in a moment and when I do that it seems to make the moment seems longer and when I think back about the experience, It feels like I'm in the moment again. Does that make sense? When I'm rushing around not even looking at or thinking about what I'm experiencing, it's lost, the time is simply lost. So if you want to live a super long life, super saturate your moments by using your senses in each experience you can to make it double the lasting experience. Today, I enjoyed a delicious brunch with my friend Kamrin, which included a love fest with Buck the dog. Absorbing those moments of connecting with a friend, eating yummy french toast, and giggling over the attention of the cutest dog in the world - well, that sure was a slice of The Good Life. ❤  Whoever you are, thank you. I received a beautiful floral arrangement for my birthday today and unfortunately, the card is not signed nor does it have the sender's name on it. I will do a little recon to see if I can figure out who the rascal is. I have to tell you, the sentiments on the card caused this sixty-year-old broad to cry like a baby. Everyone wants to be seen, heard, and loved. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. As a single person who lives alone, one of the few downsides of that is, I don't have person to talk with each day about how we were in the world. The words on this card... well, let's just say I feel very seen, heard, and loved.  My Aunt Vicki sent this photo of me taken when I was almost 5 years old. My Mom Mom made this sundress for me. Wah. 😭 My Aunt Susan sent me handkerchiefs once owned by Mom Mom and an Atlantic City pillowcase own by family for my birthday. Wah. 😭 What treasures! I don't have many artifacts from my family or childhood, although that has changed over the past couple of years. I have NOTHING from my mother's side of the family, which makes me sad, because items like the ones I do now have from my father's side of the family hold history and tether me to it. This is important to me. I have to wonder if I fill my own home with so many things so Lila will have her own set of artifacts. What a little cutie I was! 🥰  So. I turn 60 years well lived on November 22. I can't believe I just typed 6-0. How did this happen?! It is mind boggling that I have been around for six decades. I'll tell ya something. I am having a little bit of mixed feelings, some trouble, with this 'milestone' birthday. On one hand, I am really proud of myself in so many ways. But on the other hand, I look so old. On some days, feel old, too. Well, I feel old mostly when I look in the mirror or at some of the photos of myself and see the Dennise in the photo on the right. I feel like the photo on the left. But I see the photo on the right. Both of them were taken two weeks ago. Both of them are me. I am not looking for platitudes on this share, folks. I am being vulnerable, sharing something that is on my mind and my heart. And, yes, make no mistake - it is a post about vanity, too. I also know that I have the privilege of living a marvelous life experience full of loving connection and creative expression. I am one lucky and blessed broad. Being a woman of a certain age is loaded with lots of expectations, and most are not such good things when it comes to our culture here in the US. 95% of the time I feel like a beautiful soul and other times like crud. I guess that's what it means to be human, yes? Sometimes its great. Sometimes, not so much. Now what? I suspect I will be leaning into this age thing all week long, so get ready. I so love the photo of me on the left. It reminds me of my days of a freewheeling 30-something self! The one on the right is old age staring right back at me and I don't like it. There will be mostly celebration on Friday and also reflections about what is like for this particular broad to age in America. I live in an 'and/both' world these days. I will feel both the joy to be alive and also the grief about aging. And that is okay.  I had a little bit of an emotional hangover this morning. With the surge of cortisol and stuff after the election, I felt a bit wiped out. But I also felt some inspiration about what might be a step in a direction that feels right. My friend Lisa created Crossing Party Lines, an nationwide convening of folks to have tough conversations that lead to understanding. I participated in one of her beta sessions in Oregon about a decade ago. I totally remember the experience and have shared it with folks over the years. I was very involved in progressive civic activities at the time and it was at the session I was paired up with the then chair of the Republican Party for the state of Oregon. What an enlightening experience! Today, instead of stewing in hatred and anger, I want to see where connection and seeking to understand might lead. Perhaps setting up a local CPL chapter through my Bell Street Chapel Community with another church might pan out. Perhaps reaching out to people in my social media circle who have different political views might lead to a step in that direction as well. Of course, I have no idea where either of these will go, if anywhere but as I continue to swim in my feelings and also look at being in a place to see if one conversation might lead to some kind of healing, why the heck not?!  Happy November 1st everyone! I am kicking off the new month, the month I turn The Big 60, with some challenges and joy. This is National Novel Writing Month and for the next 30 days, I have challenged myself to just write each morning. What I am NOT doing: writing a novel nor going to freak out if I don't make my daily intention of just writing; striving for a word count or page goal. What I am doing: leaning on a creative collaborator to help me stay accountable; keeping my expectations in check and commiting to a SFD. I have been working on a book idea for a freaking decade, so no hurry. 🤣 But I am using that creative project as fodder for this month's challenge. In the meantime, I am loving the colors of the season and also pursing another creative passion. I was asked to submit for a healthcare acting project and also a self-tape for a drama. Just call me Dr. D as in determined to live an adventurous life, baby.  I have returned to Scotland for my third visit and being here fills my soul with so much joy. Namely, I get to spend time with my Darling Daughter who attends the University of St. Andrews that was founded in 1413. It is the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. St. Andrews is a seaside town northeast of Edinburgh, on Scotland’s east coast. It's known for its many golf courses, including the Old Course, with the landmark Swilcan Bridge at the 18th hole. There is also a botanical garden just outside of downtown proper. My annual visits always land on break week and the town is quite empty, which I enjoy. Someone once told me there isn't any good food to eat here and I beg to differ! My daughter and I enjoyed an amazing dinner at Rogue (reservations recommended) that included crispy pork belly for me and a sirloin steak for Lila. Not only is the food amazing, the natural beauty will take your breath away! The beach was a mere 10 minutes or so away. Unfortunately, during this visit, the famous Pier is closed due to repairs but I have walked on it during previous visits. I also did some beach-combing during this visit - one of my favorite things to do! If you would like to take a gander at photos from previous visits to Scotland, including some reflections and photos from my stay in Edinburgh, check out my previous blog by clicking here!
"Don't hate me because I am beautiful. " Does anyone remember that commercial? What a joke it is now, but back then, it was very effective advertising. I'm listening to my new favorite podcast - @wecandohardthingspodcast - And this is very topic is the discussion (I encourage you to take a listen to it). As the hosts share some reflections of their own lived experiences, I can't help to think of certain experiences I've had... One memory that came to mind was a professional experience working with a "progressive" organization in Portland, Oregon. A board member approached me and suggested that I stopped wearing makeup because I wasn't doing any favors for the feminist cause by wearing it. And a staff member was overheard saying the only reason why I was successful in my role was because of how I looked. I am not kidding you. I wish I was. Fast forward to current day. When I entered my 40s, gender ageism became very apparent and was one of the main reasons to leave Oregon and move to the Northeast. I figured folks in New England had a better sense and appreciation for old things! It was during that transition two very important things happened: I decided to stop coloring my hair and welcome my glorious silver sparkle shine through and I stopped wearing makeup with the exception of periodically wearing some fun lipstick. These 2 things have proved to be the most amazing things I could have done for myself and my confidence. Now, don't get me wrong. Yes, I like to feel pretty. But I find it very interesting that making these changes that were in an opposition of society's rules have actually fueled the fire of feeling the most beautiful in my life. Go figure.  |
AuthorLet's create a BIG life one small adventure at a time! Here are a few of my experiences - perhaps you may find a little nugget or two that inspires you to take your own baby step to living your dreams! Archives
March 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed