That's what I was hoping -- that the comments here would feel uplifting. Man, this group just never lets me down. I hope you're well, Jay. Take care, it's crazy out there. And happy holidays!
Right? It really is, if we just look. Did you see the one I shared on Medium about the two guys and the Santa letters? I just stumbled across it. On their 10th anniversary of all things. Finding it this year felt magic, too. Good to see you again, Tree. Take care of you. :)
I am blessed as always. Thank you for asking. Yes, life has been strange this year. I suppose it's god/nature's way of sparking the curiosity again. We have been content with the same old, same old for too long.
Someone one told me I am the most upbeat person they know. I said that's because they don't know you. And I shared a link. I am glad to hear you're well and good to see you!
Thanks for asking- always appreciated. Magic for me-today our third graduating class of RN nurses have made it through the Covid challenge of reduced practice clinical hours, totally virtual Zoom theory classes and small group discussions. They will will have a pinning ceremony today. I am so proud of them as they will be the next generation of front line workers and through their persistence and demonstrated flexibility they will be awesome practioners!
Kathryn, what a great response. Congratulations to all of them and you, too. Thank you for the work you are all doing to keep us going through this crazy time. Please wish a Merry Christmas to all of them from a crazy writer up in Canada.
I loved reading this. It made me think of the off leash park I take my dog to every day. Its a heavily treed park and the community residents have got the whole park decorated. We're talking thousands of Christmas balls hung on trees and homemade wooden reindeer throughout the park. It makes me happy every day.
This Christmas for me will be very quiet and somber since the passing of my son in September. I'm actually glad for Covid so I don't have to see people and pretend to be celebrating. 2020 has been an epic disaster for me.
Oh Kristi! I'm so sorry. I read your posts and have been thinking of you every day since. That was last Christmas for me. I'd lost my Mom the Christmas before. I wish I could wrap you up in hugs and hot chocolate. Is your Mom near you? First time I saw them was right after Mom passed and it felt like she was there with me. It makes me warm inside to know you also get to walk through a forest filled with holiday decorations. Take care of you. Know I'm thinking of you out here on the prairies. xo
Fortunately my mom is near. We live on the same street and will be doing Christmas alone together. We have decided to pull out old photo albums of little Curtis and movies in pajamas on Christmas day.
I'm so sorry about your mom too. Holidays are never complete without loved ones ❤
I am so glad your Mom is close. I read the story about lights flickering and I could relate. The same happened to me. Much love to you and your Mom both this holiday season. ❤
Hi Jenine! I have photos, too. If Holly takes some as well, maybe we can all link to each other's stories and start a mini trend. If that's not a bit of holiday magic, I don't know what is. Please don't forget to tag me when you do!
Beautiful article Linda thank you. Felt like I was right there admiring the ornaments on the trail . I am well thank you. I’ll be looking forward to your next article
"There is no problem so big it can't be run away from." Not sure if Snoopy the Dog philosophy holds water with Covid, but I'm trying. My husband and I left our virus hotspot, bought a boat in Florida and are living aboard in Marathon Key for the winter. In March we head north to travel the Great Loop; a circumnavigation of the eastern United States by intracoastal waters and inland rivers. Hopefully we will be vaccinated by summer and can enter beautiful Canada. Maybe we can walk your nature trail (where do you live?). And have you aboard for a meal.
There is plenty to write about. As though my creativity was in quarantine like that elf, and now set free. Much love, your friend, Julie Bradley
Julie, that sounds beautiful and peaceful. I am glad to know you're safe and well. There are so many beautiful trails just like this one. I won't post the name in a space so public because the one I live beside is the smallest and easiest to find and there are scary people in the world especially when I write about feminism. lol. But when you hit this corner of the world, come find me on Medium and I'll tell you some lovely places to explore.
Your forest trail sounds truly marvelous. What a blessing!
Thanks for “checking in.” I’ve had a couple of stressful weeks-not COVID related, though. Just started decorating the house a day ago. Going to keep it simple this year, as we won’t be preparing a big meal with others in attendance.
Wrote my annual Xmas newsletter to include with the 50 or so cards I send out every year. Dropped those cards off on Monday at the post office.
I’ve written but one poem in the past two weeks -haven’t posted it to Medium yet. Haven’t been reading much at Medium, either.
I’ve had this nagging sadness since February- a grieving for my nation. The craziness of the Trump administration is still with us, unfortunately. I’ll start feeling better once the s.o.b. is out of the WH (and behind bars OR dead). He’s a lightening rod for all that ails our nation.
I can relate to that nagging sadness. I think a lot of us have been there, either persistently or on and off. When you finally post your poem, please tag me so I don't miss it. The feeds have been dreadful and I seldom see posts by many of my favorite writers. Take care and Merry Christmas Linda. A quiet one here, too.
Another wonderful article, Linda. I'm not so much on Medium because I've been working daily on another novel. I'm really excited about this one - a locked room mystery, of course. Lots of fun.
Your trail sounds really great, and your writing evokes a sense of peace and love. Thanks, my Canadian friend.
That is awesome news! When will it be ready? I took photos of the trail. I think I will share them next week for the holiday. It would be like taking y'all with me. Thanks Tom, always happy to hear from you.
Don't know when the book will be ready. It's my third novel, and it takes me about three years to complete one. This one takes a lot of research because it's a historical mystery based in 1920's Shanghai. Strangely enough, I've been studying the Mandarin language, not making much headway, but the language gives me a little insight into the Chinese character. The language is contextual, and so is Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, my Chinese characters must speak and act in a contextual way. Lots of work but I love it. Looking forward to the photos of the trail.
Benjamin - lol. I like to think I'm not a sentimentalist, too, but I suspect I am. I'm glad you enjoyed this and thanks for taking a minute to say hi. Stay safe out there. :)
I'm fine. I saw your wives of Henry piece. Did I inspire you? Baked and ate too many cookies. I think apple pie may be next, and definitely cake. My January posts will all be about losing weight.
Oh, Denise, you gave me bravery and thank you for that. I have always loved history. Not the boring and rusty old dates and wars my teachers focused on in school, but the people. I just didn't think anyone would be interested. You showed me different. Just did one about Van Gogh yesterday, and I have drafts of several more. I'm going to strive for one each week, knock on wood. Thank you so much for that! Now i need to go look at your foodie posts. Medium's feed has been so irritating, it doesn't show me what I want to see. Like cake posts. Is there anything better than cake and pie? I am glad you're fine and good to see you again. I would have been sad if you didn't pop in to say hi. :)
It's been a challenging year - my mother is in a memory care unit halfway across the country and I haven't seen her in person since March. Weekly video chat is great, but the constant fear that she'll have a fall or an infection that will send her to the ER is exhausting. My son is 13 and we're ready to write off the entire school year at this rate. He's so angry he can't spend time with his friends, the only part of school he finds worthwhile. My spouse lost part of her salary for several months, but worse, she lost her direct report to a layoff, and is losing her mental health to the stress and lack of sleep of doing 2 jobs in a difficult business climate. My own projects are stalled as I try to keep us all afloat. All we can do is focus on the positives - our community has locked down again, but we are still safe and we have each other. We have our physical health, our finances are stable, we haven't lost housing, and we are not food insecure. My creative projects are still there, waiting for me on the far side of this. Maybe they'll be better for the pause - who knows? Thanks for asking, and wishing you the best this holiday season.
Thank you for the uplifting writing. It's encouraging to see so much positivity in the comments. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
That's what I was hoping -- that the comments here would feel uplifting. Man, this group just never lets me down. I hope you're well, Jay. Take care, it's crazy out there. And happy holidays!
Look for magic, that's a perfect ask. It's everywhere, if you look for it.
Right? It really is, if we just look. Did you see the one I shared on Medium about the two guys and the Santa letters? I just stumbled across it. On their 10th anniversary of all things. Finding it this year felt magic, too. Good to see you again, Tree. Take care of you. :)
I am blessed as always. Thank you for asking. Yes, life has been strange this year. I suppose it's god/nature's way of sparking the curiosity again. We have been content with the same old, same old for too long.
Stay blessed and be happy, my friend.
Someone one told me I am the most upbeat person they know. I said that's because they don't know you. And I shared a link. I am glad to hear you're well and good to see you!
Awww, that is such a kind thing to say. Thank you.
I have been posting some short form pieces about where I am heading, linking some of them to my related older stories.
I am the blessed one to have you in my life.
I will come look for them. Sure wish Medium would do better at showing me the people I read instead of all the nonsense I see. Stay well. :)
Thanks for asking- always appreciated. Magic for me-today our third graduating class of RN nurses have made it through the Covid challenge of reduced practice clinical hours, totally virtual Zoom theory classes and small group discussions. They will will have a pinning ceremony today. I am so proud of them as they will be the next generation of front line workers and through their persistence and demonstrated flexibility they will be awesome practioners!
Kathryn, what a great response. Congratulations to all of them and you, too. Thank you for the work you are all doing to keep us going through this crazy time. Please wish a Merry Christmas to all of them from a crazy writer up in Canada.
I loved reading this. It made me think of the off leash park I take my dog to every day. Its a heavily treed park and the community residents have got the whole park decorated. We're talking thousands of Christmas balls hung on trees and homemade wooden reindeer throughout the park. It makes me happy every day.
This Christmas for me will be very quiet and somber since the passing of my son in September. I'm actually glad for Covid so I don't have to see people and pretend to be celebrating. 2020 has been an epic disaster for me.
Oh Kristi! I'm so sorry. I read your posts and have been thinking of you every day since. That was last Christmas for me. I'd lost my Mom the Christmas before. I wish I could wrap you up in hugs and hot chocolate. Is your Mom near you? First time I saw them was right after Mom passed and it felt like she was there with me. It makes me warm inside to know you also get to walk through a forest filled with holiday decorations. Take care of you. Know I'm thinking of you out here on the prairies. xo
Fortunately my mom is near. We live on the same street and will be doing Christmas alone together. We have decided to pull out old photo albums of little Curtis and movies in pajamas on Christmas day.
I'm so sorry about your mom too. Holidays are never complete without loved ones ❤
I am so glad your Mom is close. I read the story about lights flickering and I could relate. The same happened to me. Much love to you and your Mom both this holiday season. ❤
Hi, Linda. Jenine Bsharah Baines from Medium. I'm stealing your idea about some 'surprise' holiday magic...I'll snap a photo when I'm done!
Hi Jenine! I have photos, too. If Holly takes some as well, maybe we can all link to each other's stories and start a mini trend. If that's not a bit of holiday magic, I don't know what is. Please don't forget to tag me when you do!
Beautiful article Linda thank you. Felt like I was right there admiring the ornaments on the trail . I am well thank you. I’ll be looking forward to your next article
Thanks Sarah - next week I'll share some photos and hope you'll come back to see them. Take care of you and be well, it's crazy out there.
Excellent I’ll look forward to that, thank you! I sure will.
"There is no problem so big it can't be run away from." Not sure if Snoopy the Dog philosophy holds water with Covid, but I'm trying. My husband and I left our virus hotspot, bought a boat in Florida and are living aboard in Marathon Key for the winter. In March we head north to travel the Great Loop; a circumnavigation of the eastern United States by intracoastal waters and inland rivers. Hopefully we will be vaccinated by summer and can enter beautiful Canada. Maybe we can walk your nature trail (where do you live?). And have you aboard for a meal.
There is plenty to write about. As though my creativity was in quarantine like that elf, and now set free. Much love, your friend, Julie Bradley
Julie, that sounds beautiful and peaceful. I am glad to know you're safe and well. There are so many beautiful trails just like this one. I won't post the name in a space so public because the one I live beside is the smallest and easiest to find and there are scary people in the world especially when I write about feminism. lol. But when you hit this corner of the world, come find me on Medium and I'll tell you some lovely places to explore.
Your forest trail sounds truly marvelous. What a blessing!
Thanks for “checking in.” I’ve had a couple of stressful weeks-not COVID related, though. Just started decorating the house a day ago. Going to keep it simple this year, as we won’t be preparing a big meal with others in attendance.
Wrote my annual Xmas newsletter to include with the 50 or so cards I send out every year. Dropped those cards off on Monday at the post office.
I’ve written but one poem in the past two weeks -haven’t posted it to Medium yet. Haven’t been reading much at Medium, either.
I’ve had this nagging sadness since February- a grieving for my nation. The craziness of the Trump administration is still with us, unfortunately. I’ll start feeling better once the s.o.b. is out of the WH (and behind bars OR dead). He’s a lightening rod for all that ails our nation.
I can relate to that nagging sadness. I think a lot of us have been there, either persistently or on and off. When you finally post your poem, please tag me so I don't miss it. The feeds have been dreadful and I seldom see posts by many of my favorite writers. Take care and Merry Christmas Linda. A quiet one here, too.
You've helped me a lot. I'm glad I could help you. Happy Holidays!
Thanks, Denise. That's very mutual. Happy holidays to you, too.
Here and always listening!
Good to see you again and thank you for taking a minute to pop in and say hi. Take care and stay safe out there. :)
Another wonderful article, Linda. I'm not so much on Medium because I've been working daily on another novel. I'm really excited about this one - a locked room mystery, of course. Lots of fun.
Your trail sounds really great, and your writing evokes a sense of peace and love. Thanks, my Canadian friend.
That is awesome news! When will it be ready? I took photos of the trail. I think I will share them next week for the holiday. It would be like taking y'all with me. Thanks Tom, always happy to hear from you.
Don't know when the book will be ready. It's my third novel, and it takes me about three years to complete one. This one takes a lot of research because it's a historical mystery based in 1920's Shanghai. Strangely enough, I've been studying the Mandarin language, not making much headway, but the language gives me a little insight into the Chinese character. The language is contextual, and so is Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, my Chinese characters must speak and act in a contextual way. Lots of work but I love it. Looking forward to the photos of the trail.
Not much of a sentimentalist. Or so I thought. Then I read your piece. Turns out I thought wrong. Again. Thanks.
Benjamin - lol. I like to think I'm not a sentimentalist, too, but I suspect I am. I'm glad you enjoyed this and thanks for taking a minute to say hi. Stay safe out there. :)
I'm fine. I saw your wives of Henry piece. Did I inspire you? Baked and ate too many cookies. I think apple pie may be next, and definitely cake. My January posts will all be about losing weight.
Oh, Denise, you gave me bravery and thank you for that. I have always loved history. Not the boring and rusty old dates and wars my teachers focused on in school, but the people. I just didn't think anyone would be interested. You showed me different. Just did one about Van Gogh yesterday, and I have drafts of several more. I'm going to strive for one each week, knock on wood. Thank you so much for that! Now i need to go look at your foodie posts. Medium's feed has been so irritating, it doesn't show me what I want to see. Like cake posts. Is there anything better than cake and pie? I am glad you're fine and good to see you again. I would have been sad if you didn't pop in to say hi. :)
It's been a challenging year - my mother is in a memory care unit halfway across the country and I haven't seen her in person since March. Weekly video chat is great, but the constant fear that she'll have a fall or an infection that will send her to the ER is exhausting. My son is 13 and we're ready to write off the entire school year at this rate. He's so angry he can't spend time with his friends, the only part of school he finds worthwhile. My spouse lost part of her salary for several months, but worse, she lost her direct report to a layoff, and is losing her mental health to the stress and lack of sleep of doing 2 jobs in a difficult business climate. My own projects are stalled as I try to keep us all afloat. All we can do is focus on the positives - our community has locked down again, but we are still safe and we have each other. We have our physical health, our finances are stable, we haven't lost housing, and we are not food insecure. My creative projects are still there, waiting for me on the far side of this. Maybe they'll be better for the pause - who knows? Thanks for asking, and wishing you the best this holiday season.
I think a lot of trails have been decorated during COVID. This describes our attempt on a trail near my girlfriends: https://timdibble.medium.com/tribbles-kill-covid-4ea5a249c6fc