I hurry uphill, out of breath. Instead of sitting quietly at my altar inside, I push and pant to reach the top of the trail before the evening sun sinks from sight. The closest hills are across the valley on the west side of Seneca Lake, but farther west, I see rolling hills  thirty miles […]

I tell my mother I want to go to a Marion Woodman conference–except my dream mother is none other than my Jungian teacher Marion Woodman. Dream Mother-Marion sits wrapped in a flowing silk scarf as I stand in front of her. “I need something more,” I say. “So why don’t you go?” Mother-Marion asks me. […]

“Hold me. I’m worried about you.” “Hug me. I’m scared.” “Put your arms around me and breathe with me.” “Grab my hand and don’t let go.” Daddy was a hand holder and a hugger. His health was fragile, so I often snuggled with him while he fell asleep. Our affection was innocent and sweet. The […]

Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Juncos are my constant January companions, but Blue Jays bullies are no match for the little Downy Woodpecker female who dominates the suet cake. She doesn’t take shit from anyone. I hear her mutter, “Don’t you dare touch my suet feeder.” The Chickadees, my faithful friends, grab sunflower seed from a […]

My son David arrived from his home in North Carolina a few days before Christmas. We’d planned good food, mellow vibes, and hikes. Two years of Covid made visits rare, so it was a gift to be with him. On Christmas Eve, we left our dogs at home (all five of them) and drove to […]

I dream I’m searching for healthy food in a large cafeteria, but can’t find nutritious food or even green tea and feel confused and lost. I turn around and my dead husband Vic stands facing me, masked as he would be during covid times. His brown eyes are sweet and tender. I’m surprised and relieved […]