creative self-expression
Hellen Keller on optimism: I know what evil is…For the very reason that I have come into contact with it, I am more truly an optimist. I can say with conviction that the struggle which evil necessitates is one of the greatest blessings. It makes us strong, patient, helpful men and women. It lets us… Continue reading Preponderance of Good
This is from over 25 years ago in Tallahassee. The space shuttle flies low over the phallus of the State of Florida Capitol, hitching a ride home to Cape Canaveral. Some call it “spring cleaning”. I call it “purging”. I kept the card, but I certainly didn’t need printouts of old COBOL code anymore! Or… Continue reading Space Shuttle Over Tallahassee
Awwww...remembering Ronin, our beloved Great Dane. It’s been about 5 years since we said goodbye to him. But we remember him frequently, through stories told, and random reminders of him and his gentle spirit. Being a dog-lover is a double-edged sword. By definition, their lifespans are shorter than humans so experiencing the pain of their… Continue reading Learning from Dogs
Today is National Coming Out Day. Culturally, “coming out” experiences are distinct rites of passage that are a shared experience for most rainbow people - we all have our coming out stories. It’s one of the things that unite us as a “tribe.” Coming out can be scary as hell, even life threatening. And also… Continue reading Happy National Coming Out Day – 2017
"To be more childlike, you don't have to give up being an adult. The fully integrated person is capable of being both an adult and a child simultaneously. Recapture the childlike feelings of wide-eyed excitement, spontaneous appreciation, cutting loose, and being full of awe and wonder at this magnificent universe." ~ Wayne Dyer Before and… Continue reading Eclipse Magic
This is Erin with Ronin, our beloved Great Dane who is gone but never forgotten. About 2012. His mouth was big enough to get around a volleyball. We let him keep the ball as a toy. It was a prized possession and Ronin treated it gingerly (our current pack would have ripped it to shreds).… Continue reading Ronin and the Volley of the Dolls
My grandmother, Brigida Adamas Rosas de Quintero, with Mom and Uncle Lucho. In mid-1930s Panama City, República de Panamá. The family lived for awhile on Avenida Central. Brigida was a matriarch, a strong-willed woman from Tolé - in Panama's highland province of Chiriquí (i.e., the boonies). She was from a poor peasant family. Her biological… Continue reading Brigida’s Love Story
A historical perspective helps me feel optimistic. I remind myself that the US government is not a monarchy and not dependent on a single person or a single branch of government. Plus there are state and local jurisdictions that do incredible and innovative jobs serving their citizens with the resources they have. I remind myself… Continue reading Self-Reminders for Optimism in the Face of US Political Drama
How I found hope over lunch in Panama.
Pilgrimage to Lake of the Crags