I started losing my vision 25 years ago, and life hasn’t looked the same since. But losing sight isn’t just about what you can’t see—it’s about what you still can. Here’s what it’s really like navigating everyday life with blurry eyes, a little sarcasm, and a lot of stubbornness. Tags: vision loss, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma,…
Some of us handle pain by talking through it. Others keep it close, private, protected. I should have known better. And in one careless moment, I crossed a line—and hurt someone I love. Everyone who knows me knows my life is an open book. Maybe even a little too open sometimes. I process everything—grief, joy,…
For decades, I believed Man-O-War Cay was immune to the harshness of the world—a little island of peace and purity surrounded by aqua waters and filled with good people. But after Hurricane Dorian, and now returning to witness the aftermath with my own eyes, I’ve come to understand the heartbreak, the trauma, and the unimaginable…
I don’t usually write fiction—but let’s just say this little tale was inspired by something that happened to me on my first trip to the Bahamas. I was a kid, full of nerves and full of ginger ale, and I may or may not have committed a minor bathroom faux pas that haunted me all…
A return to Man-O-War Cay stirred more than memories—it brought back the voices, the smells, the kindness, and the love that shaped my life. In this deeply personal reflection, I revisit the moments that made this island feel like home, the people who never let me go, and the powerful reminder that what unites us…
After years away, I returned to the island that has always held a sacred place in my heart. What I found was a mix of heartache, healing, and the unshakable spirit of a place that still feels like home. I woke up this morning feeling every bit of the travel from yesterday—tight shoulders, a tender…
I’ve spent years carefully avoiding another fall, but today, despite all my caution, I went down—again—right before our long-awaited trip. Same shoulder, same nightmare, different staircase. And all because of what I didn’t see coming. You’d think after everything I’ve been through, I’d have mastered the art of walking down a staircase without incident. And…
After a lifetime of seatbelt struggles, salad shaming, and chairs that bite back, I’m finally seeing a glimmer of hope—50 pounds down on Ozempic and counting. I’m still fat, still funny, but now… cautiously optimistic. Come for the laughs, stay for the real talk.
Some friendships don’t just last — they define you. I’m forever grateful for the group of women who have shared my life’s journey from the beginning, weaving memories, love, and laughter through every season of life. There’s something almost magical about finding people who know you at every stage of life — and love you…
Sometimes moving into a new neighborhood brings fresh starts and new friendships. Other times… it brings you neighbors who threaten to hose down your imaginary cat and steal your kids’ soccer balls. In this funny true story, I share how a backyard feud turned into one of my favorite (and pettiest) victories — proving that…
Sometimes the biggest lessons come wrapped in heartbreak. In this story, I share a memory that shaped the way I see love, loyalty, and expectations — and how it continues to touch my life decades later. I still remember the way sunlight streamed through the kitchen window as I sat flipping through that bridal magazine,…
My For most of my life, I felt like I was living without a map while everyone else had a clear path. I spent years trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, never feeling like I measured up. It took heartbreak, healing, and the right person walking into my life for me to finally realize: I…
I wrote Bedbugs in 2015 after fighting my way back from nearly three years stuck in bed from overmedication. It was one of the first real days I felt alive again — babysitting my granddaughters, feeling hope, and realizing how much life I still had left to live. This story will always be special to…
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 —…
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…
A memory that lives in every laugh line and sparkle light—the epic Parkview Class of ’73 graduation party wasn’t just about a pig roast. It was about freedom, friendship, and the wild hope of what came next. The summer of 1973 will always stick in my mind as the year we threw the party. We…
