Grew up on Lake Erie, many years in Pennsylvania, Manhattan and upstate NY, chucked it all to travel 5 years in an RV, settled in TX for a few, then back to snow country, Lancaster PA. It's a diary, a cookbook and random thoughts. Follow along!
I was browsing for photos for another blog post, as well as pictures of my daughter for a wedding collage but was easily distracted by photos of purges over the years to travel, move, simplify. Every time, I asked myself if either child would want this and if the answer was NO, out the door it went - sold, donated or trashed. I hope I've made their life simpler after my passing, leaving only cherished belongings or items easily disposed of.
This is a random collection of past purges and remembrance of the excesses that once defined me. There are times when, yes, I wish I had certain things, especially books, but the really important stuff, photos, my parents' woodworking items, handmade quilts, children's toys and clothes, are still with me or in storage.
I remember with fondness as I look over these pictures...some items remind me of a place, event, a time in my life.
What a jumble of possessions. Everyone has them.
I'll never skate again.
I live simply now, but I have a weakness for kitchen toys. Another time!
I wrote the lyrics for the restless hearts. The truth isn't in the rules they gave us, it's in the things we find when we dare to get lost. (Kelly Boesch)
I'm actually making plans. Hooray for me! I just finished my last iron infusion for anemia, and it's working! I no longer dread, well, everything, like leaving my bed to perform mundane chores, even eating. My to-do list includes hanging up my lace curtains and pretty them up with dried vines and flowers, make yogurt, re-pot new herbs that didn't survive the winter and basic spring cleaning. So basically, I'm starting over.
I've also taken a leap of faith for the first time in years. Throwing caution to the wind, I bought 4 tickets to see Alabama Shakes and Mavis Staples at Bethel Woods (Woodstock) on Sept 4 with front center seats, the best in the house. I'll go with Extraordinary people or alone and sell any unused tickets. Be my guest. I have all summer to figure it out.
It would be nice to take the rig to the RV park, but it was repossessed a few years back. Since I'd like to stay a few days, perhaps I can find a nice VRBO
I recently began writing more often, sometimes because I'm bored, but also because it's therapeutic. I've been recovering from some procedure or other for the past few years and have lost interest or ability in most activities I used to enjoy. I continue write 'til the wee hours, totally relaxed, listening to music of all sorts, lost in thought. Sometimes I share on Facebook in the moment, but next morning, 1st thing... "O lordy, what did you post last night?" Delete.
I play games or watch YouTube videos and only do what's absolutely necessary. I don't watch much TV, but when I do, it's a travel or culinary channel. I manage to keep most appointments but often reschedule. I look forward to empty days, but once I'm out, I'm fine. It's like prying me out of a packed sardine can.
The Dreams. Recently, I get flashbacks during the day of dreams which I usually forget within hours. I see them often, repeatedly and weeks later. Often it's visual, just a flash of a moment or location, or an emotion, but I remember them, and they keep coming back. I have quite a collection now. odd
I also had another Visitation Dream, the 2nd in the past year. This wasn't as vivid, but there was a presence. I don't believe it, but perhaps there's something on the other side. hope. AI:"Unlike regular dreams that feel foggy or fragmented, visitation dreams possess remarkable clarity and coherence. The experience unfolds with a crystal-clear quality, each moment vivid, purposeful and feels tangible, as though you were truly present. There's often a clear storyline, unlike the scattered nature of typical dreams. This clarity reflects the sacred nature of these encounters and their vividness of these dreams makes them easy to recall in detail, even years later".
Although I hold onto these dreams, memories in general are totally useless. "take comfort in your memories". No, never. Longing overpowers all. I have vivid memories of past loves, lives, travels, kids but take no comfort in them and tear up when I'm alone or driving. I make vague attempts to be useful, but general chores, even watering my plants (actually 1 plant) is a chore.
I always fancied myself a country woman. All my life, no matter where I lived, small town, country, on the road or big city, I valued a life of self-sufficiency, not buying into the life of fast food, prepared meals, pre-made everything, processed edibles. Oh I've broken that rule more times than I'd like to admit, but keep trying.
I love baking bread...
hanging out laundry
making soap
gardening fail...rocks
canning the fall harvest
living off-grid
I have so many places I want to explore, making the most of the unknown time I have left, but I'm too timid to leave the house alone unless I have to. I find it impossible to visit a shop I've never been to or eat alone at a restaurant, even a diner, so drive-thru is the only option for now. I bought new hiking boots and trekking poles. The Little Conestoga Creek in literally in my back yard, but I've never walked back there, even after almost 4 years! Last fall, full of hope, I bought new clothes, shoes, a renewing, but they're mostly in my closet, unworn. I have never been alone and hate it. I'm such a chatterbox, love to share when out and about. Otherwise, why bother?
I manage to go to PT or MAG (Medically Adaptive Gym) a couple times a week, unless I oversleep or find some other excuse not to go, but I keep medical appointments most of the time. Although I've fixed my joints and back, I'm now dealing with anemia, low iron, vitamin D and B12, so there's that. With treatment of iron infusions and vitamins, I'll break away from this lethargy and be good to go soon. Physically, I'm all fixed.
My sewing days are over, so I'm selling my vintage Singer Slant Needle sewing machine and cabinet. It has a gaggle of attachments including button-holer, pleater, ruffler and more. It belonged to my Aunt Ann, who was an excellent tailor, making most of her own dresses and coats that looked like fine designer clothes. I'll keep a smaller portable Brother quilting machine.
As I write this, Benny and the Jets plays, the iconic song blasted through a window at Kiester Rd Apts in Slippery Rock the summer of 1973. Dancing in the streets, joy everywhere.
Random: I counted 22 friends on Facebook who are no longer with us. Is this sounding dreadful? It is...
Why California? When we first moved to NYC Gateway Towers, Manhattan NY, we met Wade and Laura, and Carla was hired to nanny their 2 small children when she was 15. They have been lifelong friends ever since. They sublet their Manhattan apartment, bought a house in Visalia CA and offered to host wedding festivities. After looking at venues nearby, she decided to take them up on their offer. I'm nervous as a whore in church to leave my comfort zone, but excited to send her off in into a magical future. That's all folks, til we meet again.
”Let’s walk towards each other and let’s say goodbye.” Legendary performance artists and former couple Marina Abramović and Ulay (1943-2020) discuss their final joint performance.
After many years of collaborating in life and art, Marina Abramović and Ulay decided to end their relationship and collaboration in 1988 with one final performance piece: The Great Wall Walk. The two walked the Great Wall of China, one from the East end of the wall, the other from the West, meeting halfway: ”This was probably the most dramatic goodbye,” Marina Abramović says.
“We met one day before, and we didn’t talk. We only said good luck,” Ulay recalls. “Our greatest wish was to walk, to move.” Walking over 2000 km with no prior training took a toll on the body, but “once you get the strength, you understand the beauty of nature,” Marina Abramović says, Ulay agreeing: “I got so in tune with the Earth, with my body, which was a great sensation.”
Finally meeting each other meant closing the chapter of not only their relationship but also working together as artists: “This was so painful, the whole thing,” Abramović explains: “Saying goodbye is saying goodbye to our collaboration work, and you find yourself in a kind of emptiness.” Both went their separate ways: “When we split, it was like a person had died,” Ulay says. The couple famously reunited at Marina Abramović’s performance The Artist is Present at MoMA in 2010.
I'll often share something deeply moving or beautiful on Facebook, and end up deleting it the next day. But this blog is my own, and even if no one reads this, I'll update often because I love late night listenin', so check back occasionally.
If you've never heard of Rosie Malone, now you have.
Feb 23, 2026
When it comes to favorites, this is ALWAYS at the top of the list. It's on my dead playlist.
Today is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday, the day all good Pennsylvania Dutch Amish and Mennonites divest themselves of rich ingredients, such as eggs, lard, butter, and sugar before the Lenten fast begins on Ash Wednesday.
These ingredients are combined to make a square dense pastry called Fasnachts (Fast Night). I remember Fasnacht Day in the 60's when I lived in Chambersburg, PA, which has a large Mennonite community. I've traveled the country, experiencing local cuisines and traditions, but never encountered fasnachts, even in Amish locales. It's truly a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Enough about history, but if your heart desires more about this tradition, read all about it: Fasnacht Day.
So we arose somewhat early this morning to start our day (I admit we could have started sooner but...) in our search for the most authentic fasnacht. Well, Lancaster PA is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, so we had ample choices to find the "real thing".
It's beyond freeing to let go...
