Today, I died. Well, okay. I didn’t actually die in real life. I died in my mind. You see, when I made my List of 50 Things Before I Turn 50, I added “Plan my funeral” as number 16. It’s…
Splurge on something extravagant
I was raised with the mantra: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I recently learned that this phrase was coined by the War Advertising Council during World War II. It was created to help…
Making freshly squeezed orange juice
A lot of people drink orange juice every day but don’t ever think about how juicing oranges ever got started. Admittedly, I’ve never thought much about it myself. With a little research, I learned that oranges were first juiced in…
Time is almost up
I turned 51 today. How’s that possible? I don’t look a day over 30—or at least that’s what I tell myself. I’m now officially over the hill. Since I’m nearing the end of my 50 Things Before I Turn 50…
Hunt for geodes in Dugway
I’ve always loved rocks. My mother tells me I come by this honestly because Nonny (her mother), also loved rocks. So, I guess you could say it’s in my blood. Because I love rocks so much, when my oldest son decided…
All I want for Christmas is you
Falling in love is hard to do and even harder in the online dating world. This year, all I want for Christmas is… Seven years ago this month, my husband filed for divorce. The divorce became official a week…
Family pictures are stressful
Even though I’d lived in Utah for over 20 years, I’d never been to the Salt Flats until recently. I don’t think I even knew they existed until 2020 when someone mentioned they visited them during the pandemic. The Bonneville…
Grateful
Every other year, I’m alone for the holidays. At first, spending the holidays without my kids was an adjustment. After all, holidays are meant to be spent with family. However, as the years have passed, I’ve come to enjoy the…
Sweet on pickleball
5-2-1, 5-2-2, 6-2-1, 6-2-2…Any guesses as to what sport uses this type of scoring? Well up until a couple of weeks ago, I would never have been able to guess. However, now I can tell you with certainty. These are…
Fileting and gutting fish is my super power
The summer before my college senior year, I worked for a fishing guide business in Alaska. During this summer, I spent most of my time in a fish processing “hut” near the banks of the Kenai River. The Kenai River…
What happens in New England stays in New England
What do three lobster rolls, four apple cider donuts, a large slice of sausage pizza, one bowl of New England clam chowder, a large Nutella cannoli, and a dish of homemade black raspberry ice cream all have in common? They…
I slept on the floor for a year
I slept on the floor for a year. Not on a blow-up mattress or on a padded mat—on the floor. I hadn’t planned on sleeping on the floor—it just happened. I had other empty beds in the house to choose…
