Writing

I'm quite fond of holiday-related home décor. I admire my friend Kristen’s designation of bar-top counter space for each holiday’s festive wares. And I’m usually not offended by October decorations showing up on July 5. I know, I’m strange that way. In short, I understand consumerism and I appreciate cute decorations and holiday tchotchkes. Here in Florida, we’ve had a sucker of a winter, where temperatures will fluctuate 30 degrees in 6 hours, it seems. I’ve contracted my sh

I decided to retreat from my busy day after dinner tonight. I laid on the floor in the living room and my Bassett-mix hound, Greta, quickly took to my side. Her big paw tapped my face, urging me to pet her. I scratched her neck, scratched her belly, and noticed how saggy her gut is now that she’s 11. My perspective is so different from down here, I thought. She knew I needed to relax tonight after a busy day, or did she? More likely, she needed me to relax for her. So, I deci

What stories does your mind tell you about your body? My mind, over 35 years of being a female who judges her body (I estimate I started when I was 7), has created the following thoughts: my forehead is high my eyebrows are bushy my head is big my feet are big, too (but my pinkie toenail is very, very small) my teeth are not straight enough my butt is rather flat the veins in my hands are very pronounced … and someday soon I will inevitably inherit my grandmother’s potbelly.

I remember the story like it was yesterday. Her parents bought her a 10k gold garnet and cubic zirconia ring; her first “real” ring. They gifted it in honor of her 13th birthday, and she was beyond moved. To her, the ring represented their love for her, their pride in her, how she was a good daughter deserving of such a valuable gift. The next week at school, she arrived in science lab class proudly wearing her shiny new ring. No doubt she showed it to her friends and they wi

Some people have impressive memory banks. My sister could probably tell you what shirt I was wearing that time in high school my Volkswagen Super beetle broke down in the mall parking lot. My husband likely could recall every vacation we’ve taken since we got married, in what year and month the vacation occurred, and how many restaurants we dined in while we were out and about. “Did we go on vacation last summer, honey?” “You mean that one to Yellowstone that cost us thousand

From the Archives: June 2017 How comfortable are you with “negative” situations that come your way? The bad ones? The painful ones? How much do you resist them? Try to change them? Hate them? When these things happen, do you assume they shouldn’t? Nicole said: “It’s probably my biggest issue in life — fighting against what is because I don’t think it should be that way.” Laura added: “Acceptance is the solution to all of my problems in life. All of them.” Chris said: “Total a

Childbirth is no divine mystery. What happens afterward is a different story. “I need to push!” I cried out as the contractions pressed more fiercely. Thirty minutes later, my beautiful baby boy was born at lunchtime on a Thursday. Despite his cramped exit, his head was perfectly shaped, his dimpled chin reflecting his father’s – a trait I’d prayed for every night Michael rubbed lotion on my blossoming belly. The labor and delivery were textbook, no, Lamaze instructor-hopeful

I know you don’t want a puppy, but just to let you know, my friend who works there has a photo to show. Oh really, a puppy? He asked through a frown. Let me take a look, but we’re not going into town. Fair enough, I say, as I show him my phone. I could see in his eyes that resilience had flown. We hop in the car, and we drive to the spot where we will meet our new puppy, but to him, maybe not. I make up my mind and five seconds flat. She’s the one, I definitely know that. He

“Shelter dogs aren't broken. They've simply experienced more life.” So states the touching Pedigree dog food commercial that ran throughout my On-Demand viewing of “Bethanny Getting Married?” last night. I worked my wimpy abdominal muscles as I pulled up from my horizontal couch position and peered at her. She was sleeping soundly on her faux suede-covered bed. Her big paws were tucked under her hairy belly – one that never held pups. I whispered, “Hey Greta girl. You doin’ a

I Know… 1. I, Vickie, know that God is my friend and will never leave me. 2. I, Vickie, know that I trust that He will fulfill my every need and that nothing happens without His consent. 3. I, Vickie, know that I am never really alone, even if I feel that way. 4. I, Vickie, know that I am a loving person with lots of love to give. 5. I, Vickie, know that I am an optimist. 6. I, Vickie, know that I am truly blessed. I Promise… 1. I, Vickie, promise to give myself credit when I

I miss the days of good mail. It used to be that at the end of each workday I’d escape from my office like an indentured servant whose contract expired after eight hours of computer-staring and politeness. I head home with two thoughts on my mind: What’s in the mailbox? I hope there’s some good mail in there. My imagination takes off; I fantasize about my good mail potential. Though I know how crazy it would sound if I were to say it out loud, in my head, these ideas make se