Is living in fear of COVID the new normal? Are we ever going to return to a less anxious state of mind? Is fall/winter going to bring a decrease in cases or an increase? Will the city shut down again into quarantine since we haven’t gotten the numbers under control? These are the worries I have. Constantly. Especially now with the shifting weather ushering in rainy, gray days. I have struggled with seasonal depression for as long as I can remember. The disappearance of the su

It’s strange how change - even good change - can sometimes make the heart heavy. I’m saying good bye to an apartment and with it, the plan of how my life was supposed to unfold in the next year. And I’m so very sad about it. So frustrated with the state of the world right now. But at the same time, my new apartment is very cute and the life I’ve built in Chicago - the people I know and love - make my life here a truly beautiful thing. I should be happy to have more time here,

It’s two weeks until Halloween and I just saw my first Christmas advertisement. I’ll be honest, it made me a little sick to my stomach. I’m just barely beginning to adjust to summer being over, and now the commercial world wants me to be thinking of winter, red and green lights, the smell of pine trees, and gifts with big bows. No thanks. Not yet. Nope. As I’ve said in previous posts, I’m on a mission to enjoy my life. Appreciate being alive. And ultimately take care of mysel

Growing up in rural Oregon means my love for all things nature will never die. Rivers, trees, outdoor games, wild animals, and mountain drives... it's in my blood. So, understandably, living the city life is sometimes hard for me. The concrete gray gets to me. I bring this up now with a bit of a heavy heart as I'm noticing that summer is slowing into fall. The sky is a shade less warm and the beautiful lake is shimmering a little less brightly. Mother earth- our amazing ho