New Adventures (Nurturing Thursday)

October 30, 2025 · 1 comment · Categories: Musings · Tags:

I’m off again with my husband for another rowing trip, to Chattanooga for the Head of the Hooch regatta, which is always the first weekend in November, on the Tennessee River. It previously was held on the Chattahoochee River, hence the name. We’ve rowed there many times, but now we are staying for a week at an Airbnb in Chattanooga, rather than just for the weekend as before. Now that both of us work remotely, there’s no need to hurry home, as we used to do when he had to be in the office on Monday. We can stay for a while and enjoy the adventure.

Word-art that says, "Say yes to new adventures."

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to encourage self-nurturing and to “give the planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.”

Wall of Windows

October 28, 2025 · Write a comment · Categories: Musings · Tags:

My daughter’s schedule for her first workweek in Auckland is day shift at the hospital Wednesday through Friday, which means she has already worked the first day because New Zealand is currently 17 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time, until we fall back to standard time on Sunday and the difference then becomes 18 hours. I put Auckland’s time and weather on my phone so I can keep track of it.

One wall of her little apartment is made up of windows, giving a nice view. The dog, who loves to look out windows, seems to have claimed much of that space, as shown in the photo below.

Photo of dog looking out a window.

It looks very cozy! Although I probably won’t get to Auckland for a visit until next year, I am sure I’ll enjoy it when the time comes.

Whispers of Soul (Nurturing Thursday)

October 23, 2025 · 2 comments · Categories: Musings · Tags:

After packing for this weekend’s trip south, I’m still feeling calmer than in past years when we traveled to rowing regattas multiple times in October during the fall racing season. Keeping work and travel separate in my mind, without getting stressed about how much time will be needed for each of them, now feels more manageable than it once did.

Perhaps it’s because my work has become more predictable regarding the use of AI—which, so far, has improved my workgroup’s productivity without any layoffs. Those who retired in the past few years have not been replaced, but there doesn’t seem to be any urgency to cut costs further.

I feel as if a small inner voice is whispering to me that it’s all going to be okay…

Word-art that says, "Intuition is your soul whispering the truth to your heart and hoping that you hear." -Kate Spencer

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to encourage self-nurturing and to “give the planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.”

Floating in Time

October 22, 2025 · Write a comment · Categories: Musings · Tags: ,

The Boston trip went well. Conditions were windy for my husband’s race, but he felt confident and was happy about that. We stayed at a comfortable Airbnb and enjoyed watching the races.

Now we’re back home, on a cold Wednesday that was much too windy to row on the river, with our boats still on the trailer and ready to head out again for regattas in warmer Southern cities.

Photo of mini-trailer in my driveway with boats.

Such a long road trip left me feeling like time was floating gently by, almost like the river, or like the car’s smooth passage through bright autumn forests. I didn’t feel impatient to get home, even though there was an accident in a construction zone that left us sitting there for an hour.

I felt pretty good when we arrived. The fatigue didn’t hit me until after we had our late dinner, when I fell asleep totally forgetting to take out the trash (my husband remembered trash pickup was the next morning and put it out, so all was well). Of course, then I had to deal with getting back to work after a long vacation (work? what’s that?), but I’m still feeling pretty mellow anyway.

Sit in Nature (Nurturing Thursday)

October 16, 2025 · 2 comments · Categories: Musings

My days often feel busy when I’m traveling to rowing regattas or going down to the river to practice. There is also something meditative about it, though, sitting on the boat’s little seat as the oars move in rhythm and the landscape goes by. The road trips often feel like that as well, especially in October, passing through miles of forests with colorful autumn leaves.

This weekend we’re in Boston for the famous Head of the Charles regatta. Our mixed double did not get in, despite being at the top of the waitlist; so, I am not rowing. My husband will row his single on Friday morning, and I’ll be carrying his oars to and from the dock. Still, it’s a good vacation for me, spending some time away from the usual workday busyness.

Word-art that says, "You should sit in nature for 20 minutes a day... unless you're busy, then you should sit for an hour."

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to encourage self-nurturing and to “give the planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.”

Lost in Time, Part 23

October 13, 2025 · Write a comment · Categories: Stories

All parts of this story are consolidated on one page here.

“And don’t say that it was just an accident—that Hetty stumbled and fell into the river, and nobody killed her. That’s what John tries to tell me.” Nellie’s voice rose belligerently as she glanced toward her husband, who had just lifted another board into place and was setting a nail into it. Beyond the shed that John was repairing, a narrow path led into a stand of trees, soft and bright in the June sunlight.

(Photo credit: Rick Obst)

“Maybe nobody put their hands on Hetty and pushed her into the river, but that doesn’t mean the witches did nothing to kill her. If it hadn’t been for them, Hetty never would have been out there in the storm. And I know that they cursed her for trying to interfere with their evil plans, so now her spirit can’t rest. Sometimes, when the wind comes from that direction,” and Nellie gestured toward the path, “I can hear Hetty crying. Her soul is in torment. John says it’s only the wind, but I know what my sister’s voice sounds like. I suppose you’re going to agree with John that I am just a crazy woman who imagined it all?”

A light breeze touched Ina’s face, carrying only the sounds of birds twittering and John’s hammer banging. There seemed to be nothing in this ordinary landscape to suggest the presence of a tormented soul.

“No, I wouldn’t say you imagined it, Nellie. Sometimes I can sense a person’s spirit. Although I’ve never heard ghosts, there are some who do. Can you make out any words when Hetty cries? Do you feel that she is asking you to help her?”

Nellie’s face relaxed into softer lines as she understood that she was being taken seriously. “No, there are never any words. Hetty cries because she is trapped and in pain. Because I am not a witch, there is nothing I can do to help her. Can you lift the curse, Ina, and set her spirit free?”

Ina pondered that odd request for a moment, unsure how she could honestly offer any help. As far as she knew, the witches never had cursed anyone. She couldn’t guess what might have injured Hetty’s spirit, and she had no experience with ghosts. If she gave Nellie false hope, that would be cruel. But perhaps there would be no harm in simply investigating, without any promises.

“If you take me to the place where you found her body,” Ina finally said, “then I’ll see if there is any way I might be able to help.”

Keep Your Feet (Nurturing Thursday)

October 9, 2025 · 2 comments · Categories: Musings · Tags:

The fall rowing season is underway, with 5K regattas every weekend. I raced the double in Pittsburgh with my husband on Saturday, and we did well, improving on last year’s time by half a minute and taking second place. This weekend we’re off to Nashville for the Music City Regatta. It’s a busy schedule, with plenty of adventures; but of course, just going out the door can land people in unexpected places.

Word-art that says, "It's a dangerous business, going out of your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." -The Fellowship of the Ring

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to encourage self-nurturing and to “give the planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.”

To Believe (Nurturing Thursday)

October 2, 2025 · 2 comments · Categories: Musings · Tags:

I haven’t done any gardening recently, but all the colorful garden photos my daughter has been sending from Auckland have me thinking about it, anyway. I suppose that’s a start!

Here’s a word-art image that fits the theme:

Word-art that says, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to encourage self-nurturing and to “give the planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.”