As 2025 draws to a close, I tend to recap the previous year. It allows me to see my progress and highlight any opportunities that might need some improvement. This year began with Brian's coronary, followed by his dad's death, Bailey's emergency surgery, and new...

Eight months. It has been eight months since Bryce started applying for jobs. It is not fake news that the job market is dismal and that he has applied to over 100 jobs with little movement in the right direction. This is a young man with a robust resume and three...

Of course, this is the time of year that illuminates the thoughts of gratitude, but what if that space expanded into an everyday practice? My theory is that the more I reside in gratitude, the more shimmers I experience. By shimmers, I mean those moments where you...

It is story time. Writing seems to have taken a backseat to life. Tell us more, Allison, you say. Okay, I will. You might want to take a seat, grab a drink, and settle in for an interesting tale. On a regular Sunday morning, Bailey comes to greet me as he always does....

I apologize for my lack of participation with this blog. It has been a whirlwind of activity. First, I spent a few days "roughing it" at a statewide 988 training. My room was a time machine that threw me back to the 1970s. Wood paneling. So much paneling. I would have...

Are there days where you think you are currently watching a reality show with all the crazy shit happening? I do. I also can't wait until it is cancelled. At the very least, I would like a dramatic series finale. The insane semantics spreading garbage is at an all...

I don't spend a lot of time pondering a Rapture event. I mean, sure there are those that preach that this is the end and have dates for it, but they are inevitably wrong. And by the way, what kind of validation are they hoping to get if it comes to pass? These people...

If any of you have a college graduate that is deep in the job search, this blog is for you. Our youngest has been home since May searching for his next chapter. The process is an impersonal journey met with rejection after rejection. It is a daunting task. In the...

Ever since I started my new job answering crisis calls, I have been inundated with questions like, "Why would you do that type of work?, "Did you give up writing?" and my favorite, "Are you having financial problems?". All of these are very invasive questions. I don't...

A few months ago, we were at the Verizon store replacing our phones. While we were there, the salesperson indicated that we were eligible for a free gift. The choices were VR googles or a tablet. Being the sweetheart that he is, he asked me what I would prefer. See,...