So There I Was… Channeling My Mother Like I Was Possessed

I spent my youth promising I’d never be like her. And then, somewhere between raising boys and spoiling grandkids, her voice came out of my mouth. Except now? I’ve doubled down and taken it to a whole new level. I can still see myself in the kitchen of our house in Orfordville in 1969 —…

Trump Says He “Knows What the Hell He’s Doing.” The Evidence Screams Otherwise.

Trump’s latest tariff tantrum proves once again that he’s steering America’s economy like a blindfolded man on a unicycle—on a tightrope—during an earthquake. And yes, he still insists he’s got it all under control Let’s talk about the man who just assured America, “I know what the hell I’m doing”… right before proving the exact…

Welcome to Trump’s Funhouse: Where the Oval Office Is Now a Shrine to Himself

In a move so absurd it could pass for satire, Trump has turned the Oval Office into a museum of megalomania—complete with self-portraits, a painting of his own “heroism,” and plans to pave paradise to avoid soggy shoes. If you thought Donald Trump’s ego couldn’t get any bigger, buckle up—because the Oval Office has just…

No One’s Coming to Save You — And That’s When You Save Yourself

For over 20 years, I’ve battled health issues that touched every part of my life. I’ve stayed silent, fought hard, and learned what it means to rise even when no one’s clapping. This isn’t a sob story—it’s a reminder that strength comes from within, and self-pity isn’t a home you should live in. I haven’t…

For  Crying In A Bucket, Nobody Understands What I’m Saying Anymore

The sayings I grew up with—“for crying in a bucket,” “heavens to Betsy,” and “fiddlesticks”—once made perfect sense. Now my grandkids look at me like I’m performing a one-woman comedy act. Apparently, I speak fluent Grandma. I grew up in a world where yelling “For crying out loud!” meant you were at your wit’s end—but…

When Family and Business Mix: The One Lesson You Can’t Skip

My dad always said, “I don’t do business with family,” and life has shown me why. If you ever do, there’s one thing you must have: a clear, written agreement. Here’s the hard-earned lesson about expectations, money, and protecting the relationships that matter most. Growing up, I lost count of how many times I heard…

The Beautiful, Messy Miracle of Friendship

Friendship isn’t always easy, but real friendship — the kind that sees you at your worst and still sticks around — is one of life’s greatest miracles. In this piece, I share what makes strong friendships last, why some fade away, and why showing up for the people we love matters more than ever. You…

Is the World Getting Better or Worse Overall?

Is the world falling apart or quietly getting better? Maybe it’s both. In this piece, I explore how humanity is moving forward and stumbling at the same time — and why choosing where we focus our energy still matters Is the world getting better or worse? Depends on who you ask — and honestly, depends…

Critical Thinking: The Lost Art of Questioning

In a world drowning in information but starving for wisdom, critical thinking is becoming a lost art. Here’s why we desperately need to revive it — and what’s at stake if we don’t. Everywhere you turn today, information is flashing at us like neon signs — headlines, opinions, statistics, videos, articles. It’s all right there,…

Another Day, Another Story: Why I Refuse to Let My Health Define Me

Living with chronic illness isn’t easy, but it’s not the end of the story either. In this heartfelt post, I share my personal journey through decades of health battles, the lessons I’ve learned about gratitude and resilience, and why I refuse to let my medical struggles define me. Life is too precious to waste on…

If You Still Think The Economy Is Fine, You Might Be Dumb, Blind, or Both

When everything from groceries to healthcare to housing costs more by the week, pretending “everything is great” isn’t patriotism — it’s lunacy. Here’s a brutal, fact-soaked wake-up call for anyone still living in fantasyland. There comes a point when denial stops being innocent and becomes downright dangerous. In today’s America, apparently that point is somewhere…

When Everything Is Political

In a world where even your choice of vehicle or morning brew can spark political debates, navigating everyday conversations has become a tightrope walk. This piece delves into the absurdity of our hyper-politicized society, where nothing is off-limits, and everything is a potential minefield. So, my sister recently asked me, “Is your son still enjoying…

I’m a Progressive Democrat — and Guess What? I’m Still a Pretty Great Person

In a time when division feels easier than connection, here’s a reminder that being a good neighbor, a good citizen, and a good human doesn’t require political agreement — just a little heart, a little humor, and a lot of brownies. I’m a proud progressive Democrat living in a world that sometimes feels like it’s…

The American Healthcare System: Killing Us Softly — and Charging Extra for the Privilege

Think America has “the best healthcare system in the world”? Think again. Behind the corporate slogans and political grandstanding lies a brutal machine — one that bankrupts the sick, abandons the vulnerable, and worships profit over people. Here’s a brutally honest look at the scam we keep pretending isn’t killing us. In America, healthcare isn’t…

Medicine by Spreadsheet: How Patients Lost the Right to Be Patients

Think your doctor is ignoring you? Rushing you? Acting like a human clipboard? It’s not because they don’t care — it’s because healthcare has turned them into glorified clerks. Here’s what it feels like when your health gets stuck in the machinery. Remember when going to the doctor meant being seen? Listened to? Helped? Yeah….

The Flawed Response to the Opioid Crisis: A Lesson from History

  Our nation’s response to the opioid crisis has been fueled more by fear and politics than compassion and facts. Instead of learning from past failures, we’re repeating them—causing even more suffering for chronic pain patients and those truly in need. It’s time to look back, recognize the mistakes, and demand a better way forward….

Cruising Through Memory: Growing Up in Orfordville

A heartfelt and nostalgic reflection on growing up in the small village of Orfordville, Wisconsin, filled with friendship, freedom, first loves, and the unforgettable hum of a red 1964 Rambler along winding country roads. Growing up in Orfordville, a quaint village in Rock County, Wisconsin, with a population of less than 900 when I left…

One Economy, Two Realities (and Tang Doesn’t Taste Like Orange Juice)

Ever wonder how two people can read the same economic news and react like they’re living on different planets? Welcome to America, 2025. In this blog, we relive the days of Tang, slippery debates, and Easter dinners gone sideways, all while laughing through the chaos of today’s economy. It’s not red vs. blue — it’s…

You Won’t Believe the Stuff We Believed in the 60s

Turning 70 next month has me thinking… Wow, how the world has changed. When I was a kid, smoking was healthy, lead was fashionable, milk cured everything, and hiding under a desk could apparently save you from a nuclear bomb. We survived margarine sandwiches, flying saucer panic, and no internet. Honestly? TikTok’s got nothing on…

Chaos and Cruelty: Trump’s Immigration Raids Are a National Disgrace

Trump’s mass immigration raids have turned cruelty into national policy — shattering families, trampling due process, deporting students. Hiding behind a 226-year-old relic of war, he’s dragging America into constitutional collapse. This is not security. This is fear and tyranny unleashed. When Donald Trump forced his way back into the White House, no one expected…