Welcome!
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Welcome to the third stage of life, Vanaprastha, the stage between the summer of building career and family, and the eventual winter of decline. The harvest time, and for us, a forest retreat in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains!
In 2010, I left my career with much foot-dragging—and an identity crisis. Who was I, now that I was no longer parenting or teaching? I soon found a new mission as a writer, but finding my true self took longer. My book Wisdom Builds Her House tells the story of how I looked back to the past for the first time in my life, applied the lessons of successes and failures, dismantled the person I thought could not be replaced, and discovered healing in the person I’d grown to be. Wisdom Builds Her House will be available for pre-order soon.
I urge those in this stage of life or on the cusp to embrace the challenge. For encouragement, join me on social media or subscribe to receive my posts and newsletters.
Recently posted on the blog
My word for 2026 is kindness, real everyday kindness
“Everyday kindness can be the greatest sort of heroism.” Karen Swallow Prior, On Reading Well This past week, I spoke with our contractor neighbor about little acts of kindness, an on-going and troubling neighbor situation, and a time...
Protecting peace: a recipe for successful holiday visits
Keith and I enjoyed a lovely, quiet Christmas celebration this year because we focused on protecting peace. We’d learned from the successful visit to family for Grandparents Day to take our time, maintain our own space, ask family for help, define family time so we...
A Christmas Carol Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, Yet to come
During Advent, Keith and I watch holiday shows, many of which are iterations of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Each “ghost” makes me think of my own experiences and what they taught me. Dickens’ story...