It's been a rough couple of weeks. I feel terribly out of balance. So many things happening over which I have no control: parents, children, grandchildren, loss, feeling unloved, unlovable. I'm trying to get my feet back under me. When I feel this way, I often turn to music. Finding songs that speak to my feelings. Blaming tears on the music. My iPod has 8,671 songs on it - years of downloading music and random CDs found at yard sales for a dollar. There are some songs I'd...

I went to visit my mom in assisted living. The caretakers, very sweet ladies who genuinely ask after me and take good care of her, pulled me aside. They wanted me to know that Mom's behavior had changed markedly. Their concern was real. Mom has been nothing but pleasant to this point, and they didn't understand why she was now being cantankerous (my word, not theirs). And, I have to admit, that did not sound like Mom. They were hoping maybe I knew something? So, I went to Mom's...

I sent out a couple of these postcards this morning. This is the message I wrote on the back: It is almost watermelon season. I wish I knew how to pick a good melon. I've tried all the tricks, taken all the advice -- thumped, smelled, examined stems, and looked for bee stings. I've not found the secret to one sweet with watermelon sugar. I wish you a summer of sweetness though. And though it is not technically summer yet, I wish you sweet melons and beautiful days. (If you...