• Off To College Already? How’s That Possible?

    Five airports, three hotels, thousands of miles, two-car rentals, five college tours later, we got back home at 1 am on Saturday. I was tired and sleepwalked through the day. Neal and I went to New Haven to return the rental car and took the opportunity to go and sit at our favorite Mexican restaurant. There were margueritas involved. We needed this downtime but, of course, we still got to talking about . . . well, the girls and colleges. The thing about having twins is that there’s no dress rehearsal. For those of you who have heard me say this before, I apologize for being repetitive. You see, they do…

  • Life Lessons From Muir Woods

    In July, our girls were off to Europe for two weeks to visit their best friends so, Neal and I, decided to visit California. It’s been a long-time dream to visit San Fransisco and Muir Woods. After three days in San Fransisco, we headed out to Muir Woods and Napa Valley. I knew Muir Woods was going to be a magical and sacred place to be in. What I didn’t expect was the deep silence and stillness that descended upon us as we entered the forest. I don’t think I can find the words to communicate what it feels like to walk among 1000-year-old trees that can be as tall as…

  • Photo by Nathan Fertig on Unsplash

    Spring Forward

    On Wednesday, March 20 at 7:09 am EST, Spring, the season of rebirth, made her entrance! There’s still snow on the ground but it’s melting fast. The weather report is warning us of yet another snowstorm coming Monday. It works like this, as one season gives way to the next; two steps forward, one step backward… dancing the tango and so we go round the seasons. Saturday morning, I made my usual rounds to the recycling center, post office, and driving the girls to their various activities. It was windy, at times cloudy, then sunny. The sky was a brilliant blue. There were even snowflakes falling, dancing their way down. When…

  • On Driftwood and Other Finds

    It’s been raining today on the island. I went for my morning walk a little later than usual. The girls had asked us to wake them up so they could go for a run while Neal and I took our walk. Not the best idea, in retrospect. I found myself getting pulled into a long conversation about the day. As expected, the girls are less than excited about the prospect of a rainy day. I find myself going down a familiar path; trying to make them happy and help them discover the gift of a rainy day; not the easiest task with two sixteen-year-olds. I feel my mood changing and I…

  • A Time For Me

    Waking up on the first morning of our vacation, I was greeted by the view of the sunrise over the harbor. Mary Oliver’s words came to mind. Hello, sun in my face.Hello, you who made the morning andspread it over the fields . . .Watch, now, how I start the dayin happiness, in kindness. I sat for meditation as the sun traveled up the horizon, its warmth increasing, coming through the open window. After meditation, Neal and I head to the bakery; a ritual we repeat every time we visit. We wake up early, go to the Old Post Office Bagel Shop, grab a cup of coffee, and head to the…

  • Same Lesson . . . Time and Again

    Twelve years ago, when I was trying to decide which direction to take my coaching practice in, the message that kept coming to me was . . . “Keep it simple!” Over the years and through many trials, when I’d find myself plagued with doubt, I’d remember and set myself straight. When in doubt, keep it simple! About two weeks ago, I facilitated a retreat for nine women at my home. It was lovely and profound. As I was preparing for the retreat, I decided to create small card bookmarks with words and phrases printed on them. The retreat participants picked randomly and used the messages they received for contemplation. Everyone…

  • At Home Again

    I was given my first camera at sixteen. I lived in Greece where I was born. It was a 35 mm Nikon FG. I still have it. I remember when I first held it in my hands – filled with anticipation and excitement. A good friend of mine was a professional and passionate photographer. He took me under his wing, taught me how to use my camera, and helped me develop a different kind of vision. On a lazy Sunday afternoon, we went downtown Athens, cameras on hand. We walked around and got lost inside streets and neighborhoods I hadn’t known existed. I began to look around me with a different…

  • Let it Be Light!

    Yesterday, we celebrated the Winter Solstice. Today, we’re well on our journey to let the light fill our days once again. No matter what your beliefs are and how you choose to celebrate this season, we all share this moment in time – the time when we’re turning towards the light. I hope you take this moment to pause and breathe in the light, love, and peace that’s yours. This light, this love makes the best offerings. Share them with all! Thank you for being present with me over the years! Thank you for opening your heart and sharing your gifts with me. I am truly grateful! May joy, hope, good…

  • Winds of Change – On Pillows and Such

    I noticed her as I walked by. She must have been in her late seventies. She was being helped by a young woman and they were discussing pillows. She was trying to choose new ones for her couch. I soon found what I wanted and headed to another part of the store, then to the register to check out. The older woman was already there, completing her purchase of two pillows. As she was getting ready to leave, she turned to me and the young woman at the register and said . . . “I needed some color – a change. I’ve lived in the same living room for as long…

  • It’s About the Chocolate

    I’m sitting at my favorite cafe and writing spot; a cup of hot coffee and a morning glory muffin next to me. It’s raining pretty heavily, puddles of water already forming on the sidewalk. There’s the steady hum of the fans above, the chatter of a handful of people ordering coffee and joking with the owner, light jazz coming through the speakers. On my way here, I drove by the post office to mail a letter and decided to circle back by the Middle School, on my way to Washington. The school is in session and the streets were quiet. I drove by slowly, looking at the school when, suddenly, it…

  • At Home

    “The beach is truly home, its broad expanse of sand as welcoming as a mother’s open arms. This landscape, which extends as far as the eye can see, always reminds me of possibility. It is here I can listen to my inner voice, shed inhibitions, move to the rhythms of the waves, and ask the universe unanswerable questions.” Joan Anderson from “A Walk on the Beach” Having been born in a small country surrounded by water, I spent much of my time as a child and young adult by the sea. Joan Anderson’s words resonate deeply. The beach is home for me, especially in the early morning and early evening hours…

  • Beyond the Obvious

    On the fourth day, after Irene struck, we got power back. It was a moment of celebration and relief mixed in with survivor’s guilt. We finally had access to the news and were able to see the images of the devastation Irene had inflicted. I couldn’t get them out of my head. As the surge of excitement subsided, I realized how tired I was. Yet, things had to be taken care of. The refrigerator, for once, needed to be purged and scrubbed. The floors needed to be vacuumed and the laundry sorted. I made a pot of Earl Grey tea and sat on my favorite chair on the deck to enjoy…