Since I wrote such a long post last time, I thought you might enjoy some photographs of spring as it looks right now. The bouquet of bearded Iris is in my favorite shades of blue, purple and white--they make a stunning backdrop for the hot pink peonies that are just about to pop. … [Read more...]
Marriage after retirement: Looking for a fight
There was a time when leaving the corporate world to live differently was not at all straightforward for me. Some people would say—and they surely have a point—what, are you nuts? But I was someone who had always worked--starting as a kid giving guitar lessons--until we … [Read more...]
Dogs in Portlandia (Part One)
Have you seen the quirky talked-about t.v. show Portlandia? It explains a lot. We do things differently around here. Even our dogs eat their antioxidants. What you can't see in the photograph is that all three pals are waiting patiently for blueberries. My blueberry bushes are … [Read more...]
Bee Grateful
“Hone and spread your spirit till you yourself are a sail, whetted, translucent, broadside to the merest puff.” Annie Dillard It was near this time five years ago that I received a gift I’ll never forget. First the backstory: March 6, 2008 was the date I got the diagnosis of … [Read more...]
Susan Troccolo’s life beyond cancer: when the mind is not your friend
In the past year, I’ve lost two women in my family from cancer. I’ve felt the searing loss and pain that these deaths have brought, in part because I am in remission from cancer myself. Twice. Seventeen years apart. Because of that I know a lot about how my mind works with … [Read more...]