• Christmas tree at night

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… just a bit early

    November 26, 2022 / No Comments

    Our neighbors across the street have this lovely house that looks a bit like a log cabin. The front features several big windows and a porch the length of the building where the owners stack the fuel for their fireplace. During the winter months, I love stepping outside at night to feel the cold air on my face, spy the smoke coming out of their chimney and smell that wonderful burning wood scent.

    Last week, the neighbors decided to ignore the calendar entirely and put up their artificial Christmas tree. My first thought was, “Surely, it’s too soon. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!” Then, I reprimanded myself. So what if it’s early? Perhaps they need a little holiday cheer in their lives right now.

    The best part is… I get to enjoy their tree, too. When I’m sitting at my desk and working, I can peer out the window and see the colored lights of that tree shining brightly into the quiet of the night.

  • Quote of the day

    November 20, 2022 / No Comments

    “Books hold most of the secrets of the world, most of the thoughts that men and women have had. And when you are reading a book, you and the author are alone together — just the two of you. A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people — people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” –E.B. White

  • practical magic house

    5 most common phrases overheard in the Walker-Weir household

    August 25, 2022 / No Comments

    If you happened to be passing by the windows of our home, sitting at the dining room table or listening on the other end of the phone, you’re very likely to hear one of these statements:

     

    1. Get off the table! (Yes, this is directed at the cats, not M.)

    2. Sweet dreams. See also: Nighty night, rabbit. (Due to our opposite schedules, we rarely get the pleasure of sleeping in the same bed at the same time.)

    3. Kill ’em a lot! (M is a gamer. I slay people in fiction.)

    4. Five minutes. (Generally uttered after putting the kettle on for tea. For a snooze request, I ask for 10 minutes.)

    5. I love you, my heart. (Also: my own, my love, my sugar plum and sweetie pie. We’re foolish romantics. What can I say?)

  • When it comes to migraine relief, every little bit helps

    August 2, 2022 / 2 Comments

    On Sunday night, I woke to a Level 8 migraine. On a scale of 1 to 10, a Level 8 headache features truly severe pain. Just imagine someone jamming an ice pick through your right temple and into the eyeball. Now, tack on light sensitivity, balance issues and nausea.

    Thanks a lot, Summer.

    After stumbling down the hallway to the bathroom, I donned my Cefaly device and returned to bed for a full treatment session. By the time it ended an hour later, the migraine was still tormenting my brain, but the pain had dropped to a Level 7. Even though my head continued to throb, a Level 7 headache meant I could muster enough strength to dress, walk downstairs, make some tea and soup and swallow the migraine meds that can only be taken with food.

    The damn migraine lasted for several more hours before abating around 2 a.m. And although it rebounded around sunrise, I was able to get some much-needed work done. For that, I must thank my little space tiara.