The first time I heard the word plethora, I sat in a teacher-development intensive course to practice stress reduction for my life passages, body aches and pains, aging, the slings and arrows the universe sends us all. I had completed years of study to learn to help others do the same. Our teachers talked about […]
Life Unwound
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Autopilot default prevents us from staying present
I walked into the funeral chapel at 4 o’clock to visit before the service at 5 for a longtime friend, Mary. I saw bright bouquets with heartfelt notes lining the walls. I felt the touch of Mary’s son Tim’s hug. The scent of lilies filled the room. I heard the family greet friends, some saying […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Wondering about wonders, big and small
I wonder a lot, wonder about all of us. Wonder if we get honest about what my grandson calls “COVID time.” Do we do things we used to do? Fly? Travel? Attend concerts? Visit friends in nursing homes or hospitals? Hmm. I’ve also wondered about that sourdough I used to buy. I wonder these COVID […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: The longing for belonging is universal
It was that season. The crisp Maine air chilled faces when I traveled to Puerto Morelos that fall; leaves crunched underfoot at home. In October, I flew to the Yucatan Peninsula for a writing retreat with women I called my writing tribe. We stretched while practicing yoga at dawn with other sunrise-watchers. Then Maria, a […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Life Unwound: There’s just something about that human touch
Some of us have started to hug again, some of the time, sometimes sporting masks revealing only eyes, sometimes (if fully vaccinated) unmasked, so we see the charm of smiles. I love the reverence, the honor we extend each other in a hug. And I love how we ask, “Is it OK if I hug […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: An appetite for life
Is your life stale? Visiting us, our son, a chef, searched our fridge for “a little something.” He flashed me a horrified look and insisted, “Come ’ere. Look at this.” “What?” I asked. “Mom, how old is this tomato-bean casserole-y thing?” “We had that chili two days ago.” He spooned out a mouthful. “Not very […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: What are your hungers?
Grocery shopping, I spotted a box labeled, “Entertaining Crackers.” I chuckled. “I’ve never found crackers to be entertaining.” The sign leading to another aisle read, “Functional water.” I laughed. “Isn’t all water functional?” I wondered about how we market food, advertisers desperate for sales, to entice, as if a buyer might say, “These crackers will […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Life Unwound: What questions are you asking?
Do you ever wake up empty? I mean, do you first think versions of hollow questions like “What’s for breakfast?” or “Do I look fat in that shirt?” You know, questions that trigger “ugh, another day, blah.” Me, too. “Ugh” questions don’t nudge us out of bed like poet Mary Oliver’s, “What is it you […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine’s ‘like-minded’ readers are many
Steve Romanoff’s letter titled “Balentine only serves like-minded readers” (Aug. 12) prompts this response. Mr. Balentine is one of three or four opinion columnists who are published in The Forecaster. True, Balentine voices an opinion that may often appeal to conservatives. What do the others voice? 1. Heather Martin makes “nice,” woke, left-of-center comments about […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: The ripple effect of small acts
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart I followed my young children, turning off lights as they left rooms. It concerned money. I thought about the electric bill, which my husband said saved only a few pennies. Then I […]