Tag: resilience

  • When the World Literally Starts Spinning

    When the World Literally Starts Spinning

    Nothing seems straight these days. Aside from Jerry’s dying in the hospital just as we were ready to leave after his heart surgery and recovery, other things aren’t quite lining up, either. I first noticed it in my kitchen.  In those early days of wanting the kids nearby, I offered to make supper for us…

  • One Month Later: Knowing Myself is Crucial

    One Month Later: Knowing Myself is Crucial

    At 66, I’ve learned a thing or two. Much about teaching and learning, of course. Also a bit about succeeding and “failing.” And a good deal about myself, too. This past month has been the ultimate exam in how well I know myself. One thing I’ve learned during this past month of my new situation-…

  • Reconstruction Diary Meditations: Weather Delays

    Reconstruction Diary Meditations: Weather Delays

    On Wednesdays, I try to share passages from the 1866 diary of my third great-aunt, Mary Jane Edwards, whose journal has inspired my first novel: “Tuesday, May 8, 1866 This morning we undertook washing and during the day we succeeded in gathering the clothes into the rinse.  As it was rainy we did not put…

  • Reconstruction Diary Meditations: On Waiting

    Reconstruction Diary Meditations: On Waiting

    Friday, April 6, 1866 We made preparations to start on our journey today at one o’clock but some accident happened to the train so that it did not come in. We waited all the evening ready to start at any time. About 7 o’clock a whistle sounded and a coachman employed to take us to…