we write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect :: anais nin
One of the easiest ruts to get stuck in, and the hardest to get out of, is depression. I don't write about this much, or I try not to, because I like to pretend it doesn't exist. When I was very young, maybe six years old, I had severe anxiety. So for a time I… Continue reading It is difficult to be sad and useful at the same time.
"Everyone loves Christmas!" they say. What's not to love? People get so easily swept up in the fanfare and warm-fuzzies. I think people fail to realize that for some people Christmas can be the hardest time of the year. Santa Claus was never a part of what we were told about Christmas as children. We… Continue reading The Christmas Spirit
It seems we've come to that time of year again when bundling up and staying warm is pretty much Priority Numero Uno. It's about this same time every year that I remember that I know how to knit and crochet, and then out come the needles and the yarn. I first taught myself to crochet… Continue reading Maybe I’m a Grandma
I had the all's-right-with-the-world bubble popped for me at a young age. I can't say exactly if there was one particular moment or event, it was just everything. I can't even remember if I ever had the illusion that life was going to be easy or smooth sailing or full of flowers and unicorns and… Continue reading Disillusioned
I have a last name that's quite uncommon in the US, and not so uncommon in Poland. My parents kept their last names when they got married, and since my dad has the nondescript name 'Smith' he encouraged my mom to give the kids her maiden name: Ratajczak. (Spell check still doesn't believe that's a… Continue reading What’s in a Name?
For about 9+ years now I've had it on my list to try out this Geocaching thing. I heard about it in middle school and thought the concept sounded fun and adventurous and just all around appealing. But I didn't have a gps or even a cell phone, so it was added to the bucket… Continue reading Bucketlist Check: Geocaching
Everyone at some point in their life is asked what their most embarrassing story is. If you haven't been asked this yet, it's coming. Many people blush or shudder at the question. Personally, I have trouble thinking of a suitable story. That's not because I've never had something embarrassing happen to me, but more because… Continue reading Most Embarrassing Story
Once upon a time I had a little brother. I still have a little brother, but he was a lot littler at the time. Charles was a bit absent minded, something of a daydreamer, and didn't exactly think things through before he did them. We also had a little fish tank that sat in the… Continue reading Shocking Stories
As a teacher I think a lot about how the kids I teach will turn out as adults. I wonder how many of the smart kids will give in to peer pressure to be careless with academics. I wonder how many of the part time bullies will turn into full time bullies. I wonder how… Continue reading People Change
On Monday night, somebody very important to me passed away. His name was Tom Magliozzi, and he was co-host of the radio show Car Talk, along with his brother Ray. I never had the pleasure of meeting Tommy, but he was a weekly guest in my family's home growing up. My childhood I guess was… Continue reading RIP Tommy
Keeping the Faith. Telling the Truth.
Catholicism without compromise
Life, Liturgy and the Pursuit of Holiness
JP and Lorelei Savaryn: All Things Catholic, Family, Life
cultivating the beautiful ordinary by sharing our tales and our tables
The Life and Times of a Harried Homemaker
Natural Health and Homestead Living
Nothing Was Said 