If you’re reading this on July 9, it’s my 43rd wedding anniversary--over four decades of looking at, listening to, laughing with, and loving my favourite person. Having written that ... Have you ever woken up and not cared one iota about your appearance? You may have a list of things you’d like to accomplish in your day, but you foresee no seeing or speaking to anyone else, so you decide to drop the ball. I’m not talking about feeling depressed, but rather having a c’est la vie,...

Years ago, I sought counselling for feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. Along with a recent move away from friends and family, I’d started a new job, had three small children to care for, a new church to attend, blah, blah, blah. When someone suggested that I talk to a therapist/counsellor, I thought that a grand idea. I could vent to an objective person, and if I seemed off my rocker she or he would be sworn to confidentiality, or they could commit me. At the time, that didn’t sound so bad...

Have you ever felt ‘ugh?’ I’m guessing if I stopped writing and awaited your responses, most of you would tell me that you know what I mean. That’s how I've felt too often this year, so to keep my brain busier, I signed up for some educational webinars/courses. The focus of many of these involved how to edit a manuscript properly. Editing is a writer’s favourite activity. (If you’re a writer, you’re probably smiling at that sarcasm right now.) Years ago, I took a rather lengthy course...