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It’s been a week. An alleged assassination attempt (and the proposed solution of a $400 million ballroom). More vindictive, frivolous prosecutions. Stalemate in a war that was started to wag the dog. FCC boot licking. Demolition of the Voting Rights Act. Grifts too numerous to keep track of. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stave off the apathy that is hovering in the wings. Which is why my “vacation” couldn’t come at a better time. Next week, my travel companion arri

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating (because, apparently, I need periodic reminders): when you’ve lived the majority of your life with your hair on fire, awash in cortisol because the proverbial bear is chasing you, calm, when you finally attain it, can sometimes feel like boredom. Despite my embrace of and gratitude for my new life, the last couple of years provided me with some of that old “excitement” (also known as minor trauma): loss, serious injury, family drama

This week was unremarkable on its face. Just me doing the things I usually do, beginning to wonder if I was stagnating. With a little reflection, though, I realized that in my everyday rounds this week, the Universe provided me with a number of sweet reminders of some of the important lessons that have so enhanced my life. I was reminded of the importance of speaking my truth even in cases where I’m afraid it will cause conflict or discomfort. I was reminded that twinges of e

Tomorrow I’ll celebrate yet another trip around the sun with the gratitude for my many blessings that has become the hallmark of my new life. In previous years, I’ve also used the milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, with an emphasis on all of the improvements I’ve made or the things I’ve accomplished. And, because I was rebuilding this phoenix from the ashes, I believe that approach served to encourage me and validate my hard work. Then. This year I f

A week in which I doubled down on my resolution to resist despair. As the weeks wear on and the atrocities continue, I’m finding it increasingly difficult not to worry or lose hope. Not to wake up saying “it’s going to be a great day” but thinking “oh, fuck”. So I’m ramping up my efforts to accentuate the minor joys and tiny rays of light in my world. It feels pretty insignificant, but it’s the best I can do right now. Ways I Found Joy This Week Spontaneously stopping at a

A week in which I sought out softness (in community, in self-love and care, in the arts) to counterbalance the brutal realities that surround us. A week in which I realized the need to pace myself; I do believe that good will ultimately prevail, but that it may take a while. Ways I Found Joy This Week Relaxing and unknotting with a deep tissue massage Meeting at a local museum to introduce the CWP to my 7 th grade bestie (an amazing artist) so we could check out and di

A week in which going with the flow led to impromptu adventures and so much contentment. Ways I Found Joy This Week Hosting girls’ movie night Refreshing my “fairy hair” Dispelling my anxiety and anger about current events with action by writing postcards for democracy Whiling away a Sunday afternoon at a leisurely brunch under the trees with old friends Walking Juno Beach and collecting shells on a windy, overcast day Making a spontaneous expedition to the Breakers and getti

A week in which I was bathed in an abundance of loving connection. Visits from far-flung friends, precious extra time with the CWP (silver linings!), chance encounters in the neighborhood and my daily rounds. Reminding me that there is an extra boost we get from nourishing ourselves with in-person connection. While this week’s boon was unplanned, it’s inspired me to make more of an effort in that regard. Ways I Found Joy This Week Breakfasting (and usually laughing) eve

A week in which I was once again reminded: of the crushing, recursive brutality of loving someone with a chronic illness; of the bitter disappointment when the sudden arrival of disaster follows a period of relative progress; of the amazing fortitude and grace necessary for endurance, unfair to expect from one so young. In crisis, the world shrinks to the moment, slowly expanding to the hour, or maybe the day, as things improve. And yet, there is always a scrap of joy to be

A week in which staying in the moment transformed each ordinary day into a peaceful, satisfying tile in the mosaic of a happy life. Finally, slowly, I’m truly absorbing the knowledge that I don’t have to be producing, or doing, to be worthy. Also, a week in which the temperatures dropped precipitously again, providing plenty of opportunity for fresh air and outdoor exercise (as well as gratitude that I no longer live in a blizzard zone). Ways I Found Joy This Week Having a

A week in which I got intentional about metaphorically and literally shedding all that no longer serves me as the Year of the Snake drew to a close. Leaving me poised to gallop into the Year of the Fire Horse, which began Tuesday. It may just be the power of suggestion, but I’m feeling hopeful about leaving behind what felt like the suspended animation of the last few months and charging ahead into a juicier life. Stay tuned. Ways I Found Joy This Week Stopping for lunch at

A week in which I once again became a veterinary technician. The promised update on last week’s vomiting extravaganza is a good news/bad news one: my ten-pound titan has completely recovered from cholangitis (the nasty liver/gallbladder/bile duct infection that necessitated hospitalization and a temporary feeding tube) and now has pancreatitis. Which may or may not be (probably is) due to my exuberance, despite my inexperience, as a canine chef (a perfect example of the Dunn

A week in which I transformed into an iguana: paralyzed by the arctic blast. I’m the first to cheer when the temperatures drop into the sixties, and even the fifties (nothing like a vigorous walk without having to shower off again ), but wind chills in the twenties are a bit more than I bargained for. Especially now that, after eleven years, my blood has officially thinned. While I’m not falling out of trees or being rescued from the middle of the road, I am spending lots of

A week in which I hit a wall. I’ve been in or near tears daily, my privilege feels repellent, and it all seems so crushing. My anger is close to the surface and I’m beginning to fuel my refusal to give up with spite rather than optimism. And I’m doubling down on that refusal. Ways I Found Joy This Week Hosting a girls’ movie night Joining PEN America in the fight against book banning (you can, too: Don't Censor America - PEN America ) Receiving a copy of the latest book by o

A week in which I doubled down on my resolve to resist by shining a light on joy. It is always darkest before the dawn, and I am convinced dawn is around the corner. After which we’ll have lots of work to do, so let’s pace ourselves. Ways I Found Joy This Week Making two more great library hauls Enjoying a fabulous deep tissue massage Laughing out loud at a comedy special Switching my BlueSky feed from “Following” to “Discover”, and counterbalancing the grim realities of o

A week of sprinkling in joy as I returned to the outside world and a semblance of routine. Ways I Found Joy This Week Being feted by the nurses for “graduating” from my year of monthly shots that actually reversed osteoporosis Receiving two moving personal notes from readers of Rising Hosting the first ladies’ movie night of the year at my place Stopping for a chat with the elderly man down the street whose authentic positivity is an inspiration and whose smile lights up th

A week in which I further honed my perspective and began a slow return to “normal”. Ways I Found Joy This Week Connecting with far-flung friends to exchange New Year greetings Taking my first outdoor walk in weeks and savoring the fresh air and sunshine of a (rare) 60-degree day Spontaneously laughing so hard and long with the CWP that we were both clutching our stomachs and wiping away tears Taking the patient to have his feeding tube removed and getting clearance to st

Thinking about being grateful to be on the mend and bulking up This begins my new “week in review” format. Herewith, the Isolation Edition. I’m happy to report that the patient is steadily improving. Because he has a tube dangling from a hole in his neck (and because he is a menace), I’m unable to leave him. With the CWP away on a dog sitting gig, this means I’m confined to the house. I’m finding it very reminiscent of quarantine : the dawning recognition that I’m captive,

“Reality is a question of perspective.” Salman Rushdie As my year-end meditations continue, this week I’d planned to explore the notion that this year is considered, in the woo-woo sphere anyway, a year of completion. But man plans and God laughs, and instead the Universe has treated me to a walloping dose of perspective. Two weeks ago, my personal assistant underwent veterinary dental surgery to have a cracked molar and four dangerously loose teeth extracted. True to his

Those of you who’ve been following me for a while know that I recently started eschewing New Year’s Resolutions (almost invariably abandoned by February) in favor of adopting a mantra to guide me (you can read previous posts on the subject here and here ). This is the time of year that I both look back (which you’ll likely read about in an upcoming post) and ahead; where I take stock of where I’ve been and where I want to go next. As the days lengthen, I spend a fair amount