Hey everyone- No-one really prepares you for what grief feels like- especially not from losing a parent. Not the kind that lingers in the everyday. In the smallest moments. In-between spaces of life. Since losing my dad in November, I’ve come to understand that grief isn’t linear. It isn’t something you “move on” from. It’s … More Grief ☀️
Our Dogwood tree a-blazed in autumn’s colorful glow,oranges and burgundies; a quiet fire outside my kitchen window.Each morning it greeted me; joyful, gently, full of warm glowing energy. Then a wind came, a sudden November sweep that carried its colors into the sky.Now it stands bare, a shell of what it was,yet I still feel … More Autumn Dogwood (random morning thought 12/3/2025)
Hi all- Long time no see. I am not here with great news. My father passed away on November 15, 2025. He was 86 years old. He had been battling late onset Parkinson’s Disease since being diagnosed in 2021. Though, the true declining symptoms didn’t begin until 2023. And the most devastating over the past … More Larger than Life
Over the many years of having this blog, about thirteen years now, I’ve intentionally kept it a space free of politics. A conscious choice to focus on sharing my life’s moments, travels, culture, family experiences, and reflections, without the weight of divisive topics. I am not one to look for conflict or to argue over … More Walking the Line Between Staying Apolitical and Speaking Out
Hi WordPress When I started Sober October for the first time years ago, I figured it would be a fun little challenge—31 days of no wine, no cocktails, no oops-I-finished-the-bottle. Really stretch my will-power. So on my third round of participating in Sober October this year, I was expecting the same. Make it through 31 days … More From Sober October to Dry January
valeria out loud 