I often listen to podcasts while walking Marley early in the morning. Sometimes that podcast is Julie’s Library, Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton-Hamilton reading children’s books together. Even though I am well over the proverbial hill, Julie’s calming, familiar voice and positive message always lift me up when I am struggling. I suppose … More On Learning to Breathe
We were sitting on the top deck enjoying the first tinge of crisp fall air this evening when we heard that Ruth Bader Ginsberg had passed away. I am numb. As a white woman who has enjoyed great privilege- in no little part due to the dedication and sacrifice of Judge Ginsburg- my heart aches … More When Hope is Elusive: RBG
I have carried the money tucked away in my purse, along with a bag filled with clothes, toiletries, and masks in the back of my car, for three weeks now as I searched for her, gifts from two friends as far away as New York who read my posts about her and wanted to help. … More The Elusive Ms. Fay: Sunshine on a Cloudy Day
I stumbled upon a moment of joy, something I nearly missed in my haste through the thorny brambles of worry and fear. It sat there so quietly, not asking for anything except to be noticed. I had thought joy would be gilded, ornate, but is was only a sigh of recognition, causing my heart to … More Joy
Wednesday was a rough day. Even though I rose at 5am to do kickboxing and walk Marley before I began my early teaching day, I felt weepy and overwhelmed. I know I am not alone. I have always loved teaching and performing, loved my career; but the current reality Covid has given us bears little … More To the Brim
We had our faculty retreat on Zoom this past Thursday, with my Chair jokingly welcoming us back from ‘spring break,’ an homage to the fact that the last time we were together we were heading into our spring break days before the world came to a screeching halt for the next five months. We began … More The Last Day
After I wrote about my emotional encounter meeting and interacting with Ms. Fay last week, a wheelchair bound homeless woman here in Birmingham, several friends reached out saying they wanted to help. Some sent money for her and others are sending clothes and items that she can use. It made my heart so happy to … More Finding Ms. Fay
We’ve seen her sitting there in the hot Alabama sun and humidity a couple of times now. She slumps over to the side in her wheelchair, looking defeated and sad, holding a paper cup out for those who take notice of her and give her some change or a few bills. Too many walk on … More Lunch with Ms. Fay
I took but a sip of the nectar of life, sweet, exhilarating, and poignant. So quickly life has passed, Petals already wilting at the edges but still holding fast, looking for beauty once flawless, now more beautiful with wisdom. It seemed only yesterday that I was a child running free, cares nowhere in sight. Now … More In the Blink of an Eye
Dan and I were discussing our life during the pandemic over lunch today…frankly not a topic I ever thought of us having to consider in our lives, but here we all are. Everyone responds to the trauma of these strange times in their own way. For us, it’s been almost like a perpetual weekend in … More On Changin’ During Change
