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Pandemic
Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_0104_w140_h140/IMG_0104_06090334.jpg)
Publishing Week, Week Twenty-Three in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Publishing Week, Week Twenty-Three in the No Longer New Abnormal Publishing Week, Week Twenty-Three in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_0061_w140_h140/IMG_0061_06010405.jpg)
This Tuesday I become a published author with In the Time of Coronavirus, Reflecting on the Past to Embrace a Joyful Future. To that end I am doing everything I know to do to promote this book, working to get it into stores, sites and libraries and into readers’ hands. It is a daunting task. I am overwhelmed, yet very excited.
My First Reading, Week Twenty-One in the No Longer New Abnormal
![My First Reading, Week Twenty-One in the No Longer New Abnormal My First Reading, Week Twenty-One in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9719_w140_h140/IMG_9719_05190124.jpg)
I was nervous. I had agreed to participate in a Zoom panel which included reading from my pre-published book, In the Time of Coronavirus. but it’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to a group. As I was practicing, reading the blog post a few times, I noticed my voice sounded like it was stuck in my throat. I did not think that was a good thing.
Happy May, Week Nineteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Happy May, Week Nineteen in the No Longer New Abnormal Happy May, Week Nineteen in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9759_w140_h140/IMG_9759_05050659.jpg)
This is Not about Daylight Savings Time, Week Eleven of the No Longer New Abnormal
![This is Not about Daylight Savings Time, Week Eleven of the No Longer New Abnormal This is Not about Daylight Savings Time, Week Eleven of the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9141_w140_h140/IMG_9141_03100357.jpg)
We can be shiny and perfect and admired, or we can be real and honest and vulnerable and loved. But we actually do have to choose. --Glennon Doyle Melton
I listen to Glennon’s podcast, “We Can Do Hard Things.” On one of her podcasts she said that she used to worry that no one was listening to her. Her audiences were small, her readership small. But then she started seeing and hearing the few who were listening. She realized that each person was important, not the number itself. It was so meaningful to hear that. I have taken it to heart.
Not Boring, Week Ten in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Not Boring, Week Ten in the No Longer New Abnormal Not Boring, Week Ten in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9239_w140_h140/IMG_9239_03030417.jpg)
As a psychotherapist I’ve noticed that so many people in and out of my office will say, “I know this is boring, but…” Traditionally therapists don’t respond, we only listen. I’m more interactive, so I respond to the statement that they think what they have to say is boring. I’m curious. I don’t find what they tell me boring. But I want to know how they see it themselves. The subject matter is secondary to their perceptions and experiences of living their lives. I am fascinated by that. Luckily my profession affords me to privilege of hearing their insights and opinions regarding their lives.
Summer Relief, The Thirty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal
![Summer Relief, The Thirty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal Summer Relief, The Thirty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_7819_w140_h140/IMG_7819_08131229.jpg)
Although this cannot be said of much of the country or world, we in New York City have enjoyed a reprieve from the intense heat of July. It has been delightful. Today I relished a breezy morning riding my low-to-the-ground bicycle up and down Park Avenue for the annual Summer Streets event. The Department of Transportation closes streets on Saturdays in all five boroughs throughout late July and August for pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists as a way of promoting greener transportation.
Mundane Day, The Thirty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Mundane Day, The Thirty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Mundane Day, The Thirty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_6952(1)_w140_h140/IMG_6952(1)_08060229.jpg)
What am I doing this weekend? Nothing special and everything essential. In an Instagram world of glamourous posts, my weekend is the antithesis of awesome. I started early to ensure I could easily access the washing machines needed for the weekly laundry. Luckily for me, it was a ghost town before 7 am, and I peacefully and quietly secured my machines and loaded them from the full hampers.
Rest & Activity, The Twenty-Fifth Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal
![Rest & Activity, The Twenty-Fifth Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal Rest & Activity, The Twenty-Fifth Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_6761_w140_h140/IMG_6761_06250349.jpg)
Let's Do Better, The Fifteenth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Let's Do Better, The Fifteenth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Let's Do Better, The Fifteenth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_6600_w140_h140/IMG_6600_04150856.jpg)
I came home late last night after seeing a beautifully moving theater piece by Suzan-Lori Parks. Retrieving our mail, I saw a broken glass and a brick on the lobby carpet. Apparently, a group of teens were told to leave the area while smoking. So one of them in anger threw a brick through the window to show ‘them.” It created more work for the porter and super who had to clean up and repair on their weekend off, when they were nowhere near the incident.
What's For Dinner? The Second Week of the Second Year of the New Abnormal
![What's For Dinner? The Second Week of the Second Year of the New Abnormal What's For Dinner? The Second Week of the Second Year of the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5899_w140_h140/IMG_5899_01150453.jpg)
I was preparing dinner as I do many nights. Last night was pesto glazed salmon and garlic-marinaded skirt steak with sauteed spinach, garlic bread, and a spicy salad. Thanks to Marion Zinn, my mother-in-law, I have the best marinade for the steak. She was a wonderful hostess and served many delicious dishes. Conversely, my mother would get anxious when hosting guests. Nonetheless she deserves a shout out as an excellent baker. All three of my siblings and I have fond memories of annual birthday cakes baked from scratch, stored on a glass cake plate with an aluminum cake dome. I used to cook and bake regularly, but as life’s responsibilities expanded, my domestic duties dwindled.
The Happiness Challenge, The First Week in the Second Year of The New Abnormal
![The Happiness Challenge, The First Week in the Second Year of The New Abnormal The Happiness Challenge, The First Week in the Second Year of The New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5858_w140_h140/IMG_5858_01080310.jpg)
I subscribe to The New York Times. As an online subscriber I often miss stories and articles that are of interest to me. However, I was fortunate enough to receive the Happiness Challenge of this last week. It wasn’t an outsized commitment but small acts of recognition and gratitude.
So Long 2022, Year Two in the New Abnormal
![So Long 2022, Year Two in the New Abnormal So Long 2022, Year Two in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5841_w140_h140/IMG_5841_12311117.jpg)
Here we are as we move away from 2022 to 2023. It’s the weekend. It’s also a milestone in the annual calendar.
One thing I know for sure is that as much as we hope and try, mistakes will be made this coming year. We might prefer to forget the hardships of the last three years, but we’re still recovering. We may want to reach new goals, or old goals yet to be achieved. Hopefully we’ll get there, but the challenges and lessons along the way may not be easy. As we work on being better and doing better, they’ll be disappointments and setbacks.
The Compassion Diet, Week Fifty-Two in the New Abnormal
![The Compassion Diet, Week Fifty-Two in the New Abnormal The Compassion Diet, Week Fifty-Two in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5807_w140_h140/IMG_5807_12250229.jpg)
Should we end this year and start the new year with resolutions? For me, the answer is no. I will think of what I’d like to let go of, and how I will be caring to myself and others, but there is no declaration in that. What I have been thinking about as I view commercials and advertisements enticing us to try new weight loss pills and programs is the mixed up past I, and so many of us, have had with messaging around food, eating, and the lack of joy in caring for ourselves. In the spirit of that, I am thinking of a diet of compassion. Not a food diet, but nourishment, nonetheless.
Emotions During the Holidays, Week Fifty in the New Abnormal
![Emotions During the Holidays, Week Fifty in the New Abnormal Emotions During the Holidays, Week Fifty in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5717_w140_h140/IMG_5717_12101108.jpg)
I was in an emotional tailspin earlier this week. I could tell I wasn’t in the right headspace as I kept thinking of past mistakes I’ve made, times I’ve previously hurt friends, and ways in which I had poor judgement. I was not coming out a champ. More like a chump. The negative barrage is not unfamiliar, but it happens less often than in former years. By Tuesday, I knew that I needed to clear my head so there’d be space for self-care and kindness. Luckily, I had my weekly therapy session.
A Pile of New Yorkers, Week Forty-Nine in the New Abnormal
![A Pile of New Yorkers, Week Forty-Nine in the New Abnormal A Pile of New Yorkers, Week Forty-Nine in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5695_w140_h140/IMG_5695_12040332.jpg)
I made it to page 50 of the New Yorker with the promise of a poem on the next page. Of course, this is the November 14th Issue, which may seem to indicate I’m a month behind. Not so, since I arbitrarily picked it up from a pile that goes back to issues from last year, I now am down to eleven unread issues. This is my ongoing plight with New Yorkers. My pile expands or contracts based on what’s happening any given week.
Arrgg, Change; Week Forty-Seven in the New Abnormal
![Arrgg, Change; Week Forty-Seven in the New Abnormal Arrgg, Change; Week Forty-Seven in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5622_w140_h140/IMG_5622_11200153.jpg)
A couple of days ago I installed an iPhone update. I find this new format annoying. I get it, things change. But sometimes the changes come all at once and too fast. I just wasn’t ready for a new change, small as it is.
Window Dressing, Week Forty-Six in the New Abnormal
![Window Dressing, Week Forty-Six in the New Abnormal Window Dressing, Week Forty-Six in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5530_w140_h140/IMG_5530_11130340.jpg)
I have always found great pleasure in walking the city streets. Throughout my 43 years in New York City, I’ve seen a lot. And, yet, I always find something new. This past week I started to notice the ubiquitous iron work on so many buildings and railings. There’s a long history, centuries old, of metal and iron works. On closer inspection there are common patterns. Chances are they’re cheap. But not all buildings have the less expensive options. There are stunning pieces of craftsmanship.
Halloween Weekend, Week Forty-Four in the New Abnormal
![Halloween Weekend, Week Forty-Four in the New Abnormal Halloween Weekend, Week Forty-Four in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5352_w140_h140/IMG_5352_10290834.jpg)
It’s Halloween Weekend and the city is ready for the many trick or treaters at every age. As a child of the sixties our Halloween was comprised of a trip to Kiddie City to pick out a cardboard box with a clear window displaying the plastic mask with a thin mouth opening with two nostril holes for labored breathing that allowed for a muffled song of “trick or treat” at the door of kind home-owners who distributed candy, both great and questionable. My favorite candy were plain Hershey chocolate bars, M&Ms, Twizzlers, or Good and Plenty. I was not a fan of the chalky Necco Wafers or boxes of raisins. We had plenty of fruit and raisins in our home, so I was on the lookout for forbidden treats that I would hide in the back of my closet.
Chasing Colors, Week Forty-Three in the New Abnormal
![Chasing Colors, Week Forty-Three in the New Abnormal Chasing Colors, Week Forty-Three in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_5421_w140_h140/IMG_5421_10220252.jpg)
Manhattan is slower to display the vibrant array of Autumn colors associated with this season. I had planned to leave the city to enjoy the same lush views that friends had posted in their feeds. That never happened so I opted to wait for our city’s briefer period of transformation. It has yet to fully show itself. However, my walk to the North Woods in Central Park gave me a glimpse of what’s to come. The North Woods themselves are still greenish. But the walk to and from the north end of the park gifted me with moments of yellows, oranges and reds.