Here I sit, at one of my favorite places on Earth… a brewery. I am in Mesa, Arizona. I am supposed to be in Big Bend National Park with friends. I am supposed to be relishing in the comfort and love of my people. I am supposed to be at a fucking dance party!! Instead,…

Wow, I did not realize it has been so long! I actually have several articles waiting in the wings that I have not even put into draft format. I have mused about gender stereotypes and redefinition, the ways we travel and what it is like having aging and struggling parents. I may even have another…

Here I am! Three weeks post arrival and still finding my way. I showed up fully loaded with the things I thought I wanted and/or needed. I am living about 6000 feet higher than I was, with temperatures that are significantly lower than what I left. I traveled nearly 700 miles over two days with…

After 20 months, I am leaving Big Bend. I came for 6 months and stayed nearly two years. My time here has been absofuckinglutely AMAZING! I always knew that I would know when it was time to leave and something inside just clicked. I was done. Done with the heat, the tourists, the job. Done…

It is time for me to move on. I feel it, I know it. I knew I would. I trusted myself to know and I know it is now.   I arrived in Big Bend National Park in October of 2020. I was hired as a seasonal, temporary employee. I chose this location because I…

Whoa, Whoa, Whaoa feelings……  This song says it best, that is for sure. I find it ironic that they lyric is “Oh, Oh, Oh” and I wrote WHOA. I think that is the perfect segue for this post. Feelings. We all have them. We all need them. Sadly, most of us lack the awareness and…

It has been a while since I posted an article, story, or a series of thoughts. A while for me, anyway. Being the life long writer that I am, going a few days without putting “pen to paper” is a long time. I have been busy, time has been flying by, and my life continues…

It has taken me a while to find what to write about during this time of year. I tried to reflect on the Holidays, and realized that I have done that twice before and my thoughts and observations have not changed. I feel the same way now as I have for years. I dislike the…

Here I go again, up to my fucking eyeballs in life lessons, challenges and growth. I love it and I hate it. It comes in waves, like a gentle sprinkle on a warm spring day. Or, it comes in a torrent like a violent desert storm. Life lessons come in all shapes and sizes, just…

I am currently in a situation that, while new to me, is not new in our culture or American society. I have been overwhelming my penpal with emails. When I have a lot of emotions and energy that has no immediate outlet, I turn to pen and paper. This is my pattern. This is what…