Welcome Friends! I’ve missed you! How are you?
What a few weeks it has been! No, I’m not talking the larger world out there. If I started thinking about that, I’d sink. Oh geez. I got anxious just watching Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix last night (terribly chilling), so I best not pay too close attention to the news…
[Here’s the summer haircut – shoulder length and simple.]
I have fully transitioned into my new position, and into remote work along with it. An empty room in my home, which I had always been leaning toward having as a writing room (for over two years I was ‘deciding’…HA!), is now officially OFFICE.
The first week, I was teetering a bit with the change, but a second week in, and I’m quite in stride. All systems go. And being the home-body I am, and also very regimented by nature, remote is working out brilliantly. I still head down to the office for some brief visits. But I love my walks…
[Little Michelle – Whose favorite holiday has always been Halloween!]
Last night, I was digging into some boxes. I’m a nuthatch for minimalism and organization, so I like to review and keep ‘all that I have’ tidy and manageable at all times. Of course, digging into boxes (especially of photos or letters) seems to ever be a nostalgic, and often doleful, experience…
[A handmade Valentine’s card from my mom and stepdad Charlie – images cut from candy bar wrappers – my favorite card.]
I have some hundreds of cards and letters. And I’m sure they hardly scratch the surface of those I’ve received, since I’m pretty certain I didn’t keep a great many prior to the last 10 years. Further, I’m not one for digital communication – I will always prefer a handwritten card or letter.
[Christmas card – the artist my mother Lita. So very special.]
My father alone (who may never have sent an email in his life), has mailed me many piles of notes and cards and newspaper clippings. He, has sent me the most. I could publish a vast book of them.

[Me and my father, Frank]
I had this wistful half-smile on my face as I flipped through little bundles, and what I opened only made a dent.
[A sweet Suzy’s Zoo greeting card from my Aunt Lisa.]
And do you know what I thought? I thought…
I’ve been so loved.
I am so lucky. I’ve so many loving friends and family, and even random brushes with kind people who wanted to say something nice. So many memories and experiences. And so much love.
[I love you, Mama!]
It inspired me to sit down this November (as holiday card time approaches), and really do get a note out to a very many that I want to let know – I love you too, and you are ever cherished.
This is going to take a whole lot of stamps.
[Little Michelle the cave girl on Halloween many moons past.]
In other news, Halloween is just a week away. I have always loved Halloween. Further, I’ve been bonkers for costumes since birth. I was born wearing a costume. An 18th century wig, face powder and beauty patches, of course.
Only…things just don’t feel the same now.
[Me with my mom and stepdad – We take Halloween seriously in this family.]
Irregardless, I plan to at least eat a caramel apple on the occasion, which will likely render me a terrible sugar shock. It wouldn’t be Halloween otherwise…

[My baby, Tiddo – Went to Heaven October 30th, 2018 – I love you forever.]
I have been pondering the past a lot. About how things used to be. Wondering how they will be. Glad that I have already experienced so much in life, and wondering what is next, and how it will look…

[Photo from a decade ago – My Chicago event planner days. Events – at present, a thing of the past.]
What are my goals now? What would I like my next decade to look like? If nothing can be the same as it was, how will I make different be wonderful?
For, we must make life beautiful and magical – no matter what.
I think I will take out a handful of old Christmas cards from my treasure of letters, and set them out again sometime in November. That will be both festive, and special, as I ponder the past, and dream for the future…
[Being goofy…entertaining myself…staying inspired.]
Thank you to all of you, kind hearts, who are walking there beside me…
Do drop a line in the comments! I always delight to hear from you.
And as ever…
You Stay Inspired.