Welcome!
Welcome to Vanaprastha, our home and a place to reflect on the seasons of life.
I’m a veteran teacher, flutist, and writer. More about me here.
In addition to my long-standing blog Notes from Vanaprastha, I have contributed to other sites and publications noted here.
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Looking forward to meeting you!
Recently posted on the blog
Almost heaven and very nearly but not quite there yet
On Friday morning, as I stepped outside with Mac dog into the “almost” at Vanaprastha—almost another day—I heard two barred owls’ spectacular, loud, emphatic calls in the dark before dawn. Ok-ok-ok-ok ok-ok-buhooh, variations of the mnemonic “who cooks for you.”...
Only the lonely, only the lonely know this feeling ain’t right
Mac dog sits quietly on the steps, pressing his body against the kitchen door, lonely and afraid. Whenever he “asks” to go outside, he won’t go until Keith or I go with him. Even then, Mac waggles his head back and forth between his need to relieve himself and his...
Show me a sign, take it to the limit, one more time
The occupational therapist handed me the instruction sheet and said, “Limit splint removal to hygiene and flute.” Limit, to restrict, the point beyond which something does not or may not extend, a restriction. Not words I like to hear or heed. But this time, it was...