in which I opt for a new financial manager — When I got home after Thanksgiving dinner I heard a rustling noise behind the radiator. We’ve been having a problem with squirrels getting into the walls of the apartment building (yes, the one I’m about to buy). I banged a metal wastebasket against the radiator and it stopped. A few…

a meditation on conflict in relationships — A good friend has stopped speaking to me, says he needs a break. He says it all began when I told him I was having a reaction to a request he made of me. At the time I suggested we have a conversation using the method from a book we’d…

A decision is made — If you haven’t read the beginning of this story part 1 is here and here’s part 2 My downstairs neighbor texted me. “Pat’s here. They are going in your place now.” “Is that legal?” I texted back. “Yes they gave us notice. You were on the e-mail,” she replied. “I…

What belongs to you shall come to you — Part 1 of this story is here. I wrote to a realtor I had only met once, to ask if I could hire him to review the sales contract that Pat sent me, and if not could he advise me how to find someone else to help me determine if…

a duplex decision — On July 1, 2022, I got a phone call from my downstairs neighbor. We live in an old urban duplex that was long ago converted to six apartments, one above the other, three on each side. My neighbor said, “Pat’s here. Can you come down?” Uh oh. Pat is our…

How are you handling it? — “It’s too beautiful to believe the war could come here.” ~ quote from a resident of Odesa on 3/20/22, via NPR journalist, Tim Mak I’ve been able to do little else over the past 25 days but follow the horrifying news of war in Ukraine. It’s been bringing up scenes…

this is part 2 of a story — part 1 is here — I never would have thought that googling my therapist would lead to an emotional breakthrough. I’m not recommending the practice as a way to heal, but that’s how it has turned out in my case. The credit goes mostly to her for the way she handled it. …

The Quiet Answer — part 3 — (Part 1, Part 2) I sent my therapist a new collage. She took it in hand during our zoom session and wanted to talk about it. She told me she had asked herself, “Why do I like this?” I laughed. I had dumped all the paper scraps from my table…