It starts with a niggling feeling in the back of my mind. That's the best way I know to describe it - a niggling feeling. Nothing distinct about it, just a nebulous uneasiness. In fact, it is almost so indistinct as to go unnoticed. Almost.

Try as I may to… Read full post »

 

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.

Ernest Hemingway

 

It’s the end of yet another year, a time for inevitable reflection. Frankly, I try to stay busy enough so that I rarely have the time for reflection. But as the year winds… Read full post »

It's the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. Fortunately, this year I can sing along with absolute conviction in complete agreement. I've had my years of "Blue Christmases", but happily, this is not one of them. Believe me when I say I know how very fortunate/… Read full post »

A few days ago, I read an excellent post by David Chura entitled The World of Girls and Young Women in Prison. This piece deservedly earned an EP. If you haven’t read it, it is well worth your time. In fact, I was so inspired by it that I decided I/… Read full post »

 _{art courtesy of Vivian Freeland}

This morning, my husband walked into the bathroom where I was working my magic with makeup (leave me to my delusions, would you?) and said to me, “These are my biggest fat jeans. We’re going to have to do something.”

 

Excuse me. &… Read full post »

 

Thanksgiving, 2011 – the date of our very first holiday celebration in our new abode. The celebration was beyond wonderful. The food was eat-till-you-pop worthy, the football games were thrilling (especially the very last UT/A&M match-up – Hook ‘Em Horns!), the grandkids… Read full post »

 

 

I’ve been such a slacker about writing for lo these many months. Thing is, I really miss it. I miss the clickity-clack of my nails on the keyboard, the sound echoing in the room, getting louder and faster when I have a really good point to make. I miss… Read full post »

I was never one to keep a journal, not until blogging came along, anyway. I much prefer blogging to keeping a journal because, truth be told, I'm all about the attention and accolades. Not much of that going on with a journal, since they are supposed to be private and all.… Read full post »

My inner smart ass is out of control. Lately, every time I turn around, she is running her mouth (that would be my mouth) and trying to get me in trouble. Problem is, she is very entertaining to me (probably not so much to others, but too freakin’ bad, she says)… Read full post »

A jumble of thoughts criss-cross my brain, wrestling one with the other, grappling for expression. After a long, dry season (ironically, that is true both literally and metaphorically), my fingers are itching to rat-a-tat-tat at the keyboard and I find myself falling asleep at night to the c… Read full post »

 

It’s all heating up again and no matter where you turn, people are getting really snippy and confrontational. Yes, I’m talking about the political arena. The 2012 elections are bearing down on us and there seems to be no escape from the constant chitter-chatter and sniping b… Read full post »

I just read an article about “exercise addiction” and I am happy to report that I DO NOT suffer from this condition. Whew! I will admit to having an addictive personality. Here’s a short list of my own personal addictions:

1.       Chocolate/… Read full post »

 

 

Okay, kiddies, listen up. It’s time to stop all this playground foolishness. Mean things were said, feelings were hurt, gauntlets were thrown and sides were chosen. And then, charges were leveled, apologies were made and the olive branch was snapped in two.

Now most… Read full post »

June 27, 2011 will mark my two-year anniversary here in the hallowed halls of Open Salon. (Well, if we had halls, they would surely be hallowed.) Being the self-proclaimed rebel that I am, I have decided to eschew tradition and publish my two-year anniversary post several days ahead of the… Read full post »

Although I am loathe to admit this, my 35^th high school reunion is rapidly approaching. Did you catch that number? My THIRTY-FIFTH. I know that’s hard for most of you to believe, given my youthful appearance (HEY! No snickering! This is my blog and I can say what I want to)/… Read full post »

I did not write the following article. Not to worry, I've given the proper credit to the author. And seriously, once you read this, you will understand that there is NO WAY in the world that I could pass on sharing this exquisitely insane TRUE story.  Enjoy. And then go to… Read full post »

As I watch the daily national and local news, there is a sense of barely-contained chaos; of the wheels slowly-but-surely coming off the vehicle that has carted us here and there for the last umpteen years, allowing us to view, review and make judgments on our own circumstances, as well as/…

Read full post »

Part One can be found here.  

When I was in the eighth grade, I was unbelievably shy. I blushed when anyone spoke to me and I had a devil of a time looking people in the eye. I tried to fly under the radar as much as possible. For reasons… Read full post »

I have always lived my life by the axiom That which doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. I believed it, and often blithely made that comment to others when they related their latest trials or tribulations. Certainly, I had lived through enough life experiences that felt to me as if/… Read full post »

_{^{image source}} 

I am quite sick to death of logging in to OS, coming to my blog and seeing that wretched Geritol bottle planted there. It’s always the first thing my eye lands on and it’s been there so long, I want to scream. So, even though I have nothing… Read full post »

 

 

If there is one theme that threads its way through the fevered masses here on OS it is this: Life can be brutal.

 

Yes, indeed, life can be exceedingly brutal. Right off the top of my head, I could point you to more stories of tragedy… Read full post »

_{photo source}

Well, whadya know? I find myself in a most curious state. As I left my office today and stepped out into the crisp air, a thought ambushed me. I am content, I thought. Then, immediately on the heels of that thought,  Huh. I really am content. … Read full post »

I’ve been reading, with great respect, the posts of many of my favorite people who responded to Ann’s Open Call about fatal flaws. What I expected to read was a bunch of funny, self-deprecating essays tackling the lighter side of our flawed natures. What I found instead, were tender, soul… Read full post »

Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the water…

 

I didn’t log in to OS at all on Saturday. When I finally dragged myself to an upright position sometime early Sunday afternoon and popped open my laptop, what to my wondering eyes should appear? No, not a… Read full post »