Adventures from the Middle of the Road

Courage and grace are a formidable mixture.
~ Marlene Dietrich

Why is it we go kicking and screaming (or crying) into change?
Even when it’s what we asked for, hoped for, dreamed of?
Change is challenging and there is no way to avoid it... if you are living.

My mid-life change was chosen. A 17-year marriage that had been wonderful, till it wasn’t, ended. I knew it and stepped into it believing I knew what was ahead. The truth is, I had no idea.

After skipping down the path or at least strolling, the road suddenly became very hard and fraught with wild animals and unexpected pain. Now I was kicking, screaming AND crying.

Not one to wallow, I pulled myself up, looked ahead and set out to create a life I would love and be proud of in the end. Hopefully, a life with no regrets over opportunities I had passed by.

I turned on my anthropological radar and began to observe and research my experience from the inside and out. This led to laughter, bewilderment, insights and tears. Captivated by all I was living and experiencing, I had to write.

Having kept a journal since I was 12, this came naturally. Next came the urge to share my writing and I was published in 2010. The local newspaper hired me for a 4 piece series on my travels in India and Cornwall. Life was starting to take shape and dreams forming in my heart.

It has been over 5 years now since this journey began and even when I am gripped with trepidation over what’s around the bend, I honestly would not change a thing.

I write to inspire and motivate.
I write to help people find themselves and feel less alone.
I write to release feelings and experiences to the outside so I can see them better.
I write to encourage myself and see more clearly how far I have come on this journey.
I write to share and connect with you.
I write to encourage you to live happy, wild, and free!

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Newest Blog Posts

  • Rediscovering Fearlessness

    April 18, 2014

    Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, – not the absence of fear.
    ~Mark Twain

    Today I am reflecting on a bumper sticker that reads “Remember Who You Wanted To Be.” It reminds me of the excitement I felt over the discovery of freedom and space to be myself when my marriage ended. With the pressure of working on a relationship and analyzing myself intently removed, I could breathe again.

    As time moved on, this exhilarating experience lost its luster and I was faced with the task of rediscovering myself in this new life. Without titles and associated responsibilities as my compass, who was I now?

    Read More →

  • Shoot Out with the Blues

    February 21, 2014

    It seems strange to be writing about the wintertime blues on such a spectacular, sunny day in Asheville, NC. And, I know we’re not out of the woods yet so, this cowgirl wanted to share some of her favorite tips for shooting the blues.

    January thru March has always been difficult for me with some years being tougher than others. Over the years, I’ve come up with some things that help keep the blues corralled or chase them away. A friend this week shared with me that he found that hard to believe since he always sees me smiling and upbeat. I assured him that even cowgirls with a kick ass attitude get the blues sometimes.

    Read More →

  • Valentine’s Day Reconsidered

    February 14, 2014

    Here is an article I wrote for the Asheville Citizen-Times on Valentine’s Day 2011.It’s one of my favorites! I hope you enjoy and decide to write your own version of the day!

    For years, Valentine’s Day was a day of over the top expectations and inevitable let downs for me. Days that I anticipated with hopeful expectation, whether I had a love interest in my life or not, and then suffering through the crash. High school years with other girl’s arms full of flowers sent by ardent admirers, I imagined, compliments of the Key Club school fundraiser. It was during those years, frustrated and fed-up, that I came upon the idea of how to rework the day and remove the sting. No one said it had to be about romantic love, so why not expand my vision to include love of all kinds in my life.

    Read More →