The Scenario. The Story. The Upshot.

(A symbolic representation of how sharply Craig was “tuned in” to me…..) The Scenario: A Din. A Denial. A Disagreement. A Discovery. The Story: DAY ONE *I hear a strange noise next to the fireplace *I tell Craig *He informs me it’s “just the wind blowing down the fireplace” *I give him a “WHAT?” look but let it pass DAY SEVEN …

The Scenario. The Story. The Upshot. The Takeaway.

This picture is from our recent trip to Yellowstone (Look for more and obviously much BETTER pictures on my Facebook!). Though our postures just happened to be this way, the picture certainly can represent where Craig and I were physically and emotionally a couple months ago! Sure looks like I’m pleading with him about something… A quick refresher on “The Story” from …

Ultimately, Is It Worth It?

Oh my. Just look at those two naïve, “we’ve got the tiger by the tail” youngsters. Move aside, everyone; Craig and Carolyn were out to save the world! Can I humbly admit that we had one huge learning curve? We recently celebrated 48 years of marital bliss. Um. Maybe not so much? A better (and considerably more truthful) description: We’re still …

COVID and Its Consequences; FEAR: The Fuel for Anger, Part One

Fear Anger Two powerful emotions. Please hear my confession: As a result of this pandemic (and a few other excuses), I (Carolyn) am battling a nearly constant low-level anger. It’s a simmering mess that appears eager to erupt at any provocation. Sometimes I win the battle; other times, I don’t. I do have a process that helps—but only if I’m …

COVID – Weird Consequences from Its Merciless Stress, Part Two: Fuel for My Weaknesses

Weird things happen to us physically, emotionally, and intellectually when we’re subject to merciless stress. Which means like now. Because the “We’re NEVER going to get past this horrific, brutal pandemic” feeling does not bring out the best in us. On the contrary, you can count on just about every negative in your life showing up somewhere. Somehow. Eventually! This newsletter, …

COVID: Tired…Stressed…Lessed

Lessed? you’re wondering. We’ve invented a new word, courtesy of the many “benefits” of the COVID pandemic. Lessed: A state of being in which one who’s survived 2020-21 is so tired, weary, and stressed out that he/she often loses the ability to recall complex words (i.e., book, car, table, etc.); focus for a time period longer than a microsecond (that’s one-millionth of a …