Musings Out Loud

Musings Out Loud

Sign in Subscribe

Watercolor illustration of two women in the distance walking on a winding path through a field

The Winding Journey of Friendship

Friendships are wonderful and hard.

Illustration of tulips scattered on a wooden floor

Unsure of What Comes Next

That's the thing about trauma. It makes you afraid and constantly think of worst-case scenarios.

Abstract watercolor of a blue and rust colored wave

Sad That It's Not Sad

We focus so much on mourning.

Black and white sketch drawing of a writer's compass

A Tattoo of Memories

Seven hours of pain later, I have a new tattoo.

abstract watercolor illustration of a lonely tree near a small pond in a clearing

A Missed Opportunity

Is it worth giving up a potentially uncomfortable moment for so many moments of regret later?

watercolor illustration of a notebook on the ground with a fountain pen and a feather

Consistent and Persistent

I'm not going anywhere.

An old oak tree in early spring with no leaves on the branches, watercolor art

Tangled Branches

My screams are combined with a sobering numbness.

A watercolor image of an open book on a table

Words in the World

I feel like I've found what I'm meant to be doing.

A watercolor painting of a multi-colored birthday cake

The Best Birthday

I was trying to make up for three years of missed birthday joys.

A classroom with desks and a shattered window, watercolor

Intruder

The school may do everything right and it may still not be enough to keep the kids safe.

A bouquet of irises, watercolor

The Ups and Downs of a Week

Last weekend, I had a nightmare.

a shattered mirror, watercolor

It Has Been Seven Years

I write about my pain to let other women know that they're not alone.

A little girl with short dark hair sits on the edge of a pool, watercolor

When a Leap Is Too Much

I was really proud of my 5-year-old for knowing her limits.

a wastepaper basket overflowing with crumpled pieces of paper, watercolor

Stop Publishing Garbage on the Internet

I'm offended by crappy writing.

Image created via Midjourney

My Eyes, My Work

I've realized how much can change in a minute. What if something happens to my sight?

a long-haired cat with black and white fur lying on the ground, looking at something off in the distance, watercolor

Adopting a Cat

I know. I can't adopt a new cat every Christmas. But maybe just one more...

The Riverwalk in San Antonio, watercolor art

Someone I Used to Know

This person left a hole in my life.

Watercolor of a sorrowful woman looking into the distance surrounded by red flowers

Feeling Seen

I'll continue to write because grief deserves to be seen.

watercolor of an unexpected path in life

An Unexpected Path in Life

I spent the morning thinking about my grandma.

watercolor of a mercury thermometer

Fighting Sickness

I've got to balance "getting better" with "getting caught up."

watercolor of a young woman staring out of the window on the passenger side of a car with tears rolling down her cheeks

Singing Amazing Grace

I felt like I couldn't breathe under the enormity of grief.

watercolor painting of a woman doing yoga in front of a calming river

Back in the Hot Room

It felt good to return to my yoga practice.

watercolor of a sad lonely pumpkin patch

The Ups and Downs of Halloween

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday but my kids love it.