My hands reek of citrusy chemicals after swabbing down the kitchen surfaces with Clorox wipes. I move to the stairway handrails and bathrooms, trying to eradicate germs while my boys...
Plant-Eating Puppies and the Art of Letting Go
I had had big plans for my garden this year. She had been so patient with me last year during my book writing and photo-a-day challenges. I was going to make it up to her this year. More...
Awkward: My First Blogging Conference
I made it through my first blogging conference, but just barely. A friend had suggested I attend BlogU, an annual bloggers conference in Baltimore, to help prepare me for marketing my book...
Half a Breath at a Time: How to Master Life Transitions
What a blessing to be able to write this week about managing positive transitions. Several milestones have occurred since my last post. I usually publish my weekly piece on Thursday or...

Puppies Sleeping Around and Other Silly Sources of Happiness
Rude awakening: I am not very playful anymore. I realized this during my Headspace.com guided meditation this week, while working my way through the "Happiness" pack. Having already...

“Your Startup Disk Is Full”: Technology as Mindfulness Teacher
When the universe invited me to step through a door marked "Real Photographer" several weeks ago, I answered simply, "Sure. Why not?" My friend and Master Gardener mentor Nancy had asked...

My Favorite Mindfulness Resources (so far)
Juggling continues this week, as packages arrive at my doorstep containing inventory for my first photography exhibit on May 31 at Vienna, Virginia's Historic Freeman Store, momentum on...

This is What Presence Looks Like: Lessons From an Almost-Stranger’s Death (and Celebration of Life)
One conversation. That's all we had four years ago. I was a new member in a long-standing book club, attending the annual couples dinner for the first time. Remembering names isn't my...

Happy Earth Day! An Excuse to Revisit My Talking Compost Pile
Happy Earth Day! (Though I realize this will come a day late to email subscribers). I was going to celebrate the day by installing a dragonfly-attracting habitat in my garden, but Apollo...

The Power of Puppies as Mindfulness Teachers: Part 2
Life with Apollo ten days in… He and I are both growing. The universe set things up nicely for me this week since, without any planning on my part, my Headspace.com meditation program has...

The Power of Puppies as Mindfulness Teachers: Part 1
I have a new mindfulness teacher and his name is Apollo. So far, I've been a pretty bad student. In fact, I've regressed these first few days. I can't focus or stay on task. My thinking...

Exciting Energy is Bubbling Up Everywhere!
After a particularly long, cold winter, I think it's safe to say that spring finally has a foothold in the door. The snowdrops are on their last legs and the crocuses are out in force. My...