Dancing sets her free. Fills her heart and soul with joy. But for the time being, Susan Fekety has set her dancing shoes aside. And instead of feeling her spirit soar, it began to plummet. Three short words have helped lift her up and sustain her during this challenging time: Now. Here. This.
There are a lot of unsung heroes out there right now. I would like to draw your attention to one particular group that I don't think I've heard mentioned yet. Home care providers.
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.
Imagine getting an email out of the blue from someone you met 35 years ago. An email that said thank you. During these uncertain times, Rhonda Montanez has been feeling more reflective and decided to reach out to someone from her past. I am that grateful someone.
In her account of how she is managing life in self-isolation, Jane Dougall writes that she has spent most of her life waiting for something. Now is no different, but what makes this current situation so challenging is the "unknown unknowing". What Jane does know is that "we are not going back to what was."
Every day we hear the numbers. On this day, Wednesday, April 29, 2020, COVID-19 has been confirmed in 1056 people here in Maine. According to the Maine CDC, 615 people have recovered, 52 have died. But the numbers don't include everyone. Ericka Dodge Katz, for instance. This is her story.
We all have our own challenges as we try to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic, some more difficult than others. Carolyn Delaney knows what it means to face a challenge and she also understands that we can learn something from other people's journeys.
I've been noticing a lot of sharing of recipes lately and pictures of incredible looking dishes that people have cooked. Here are some recipes from my sister-in-law. I haven't tasted them, but I'll guarantee they're amazing because that's the kind of cook she is.
Her greatest joy in life is spending time with her grandchildren, but she can't right now. Rather than sit at home this Maine woman decided to come out of retirement and get back to work — nursing.
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.
Bob and Toni have been talking about their retirement dream for a long time. They'd sold their furniture, found a buyer for their house, and begun their journey when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a change of plans.
If you were at home with Jen during this pandemic, chances are you'd be indulging in a spoonful (or more) of ice cream every now and again. Just enough to help you feel better than okay.
A dream come true. Well, not quite. Instead of spending a year traveling around Spain, this retired couple is now on lockdown.
Ever have an idea for a book you'd like to write? When it happened to Luanne Cameron, she grabbed hold of her idea and turned it into a reality. Her book The 110 Philosophy was published in January 2020. It's all about the principles she uses to guide her through life, one that is now impacted by a global pandemic.
Supporting each other when you have to keep your distance isn't always easy. But as this global pandemic rages on, people everywhere are coming up with creative ways to look after one another. As you'll discover in this story by Fran and Marty, it's even possible when you are separated by an ocean.
Are you an extrovert or introvert? Supposedly extroverts are having the hardest time dealing with being isolated. Not necessarily so. Here's Jen Dimond's story
In the midst of all this uncertainty and angst, there are moments of joy. One such moment occurred this past weekend when Lee Hews' first grandchild was born.
Grandparents everywhere are trying to meet the challenge of social distancing. Not easy when all you want to do is scoop them up in your arms and give them a hug. Here's a little inspiration on how you can stay safe during the pandemic and still connect.
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.
As they are in so many cities right now, the streets and sidewalks in San Francisco are nearly deserted. People living there have been under a stay-at-home order since March 16. My brother Patrick is one of them. He shares how he has been doing so far.
We all have our own ways of coping with the isolation, fear and anxiety, uncertainty, stress, you-name-it feelings that we are all experiencing these days. For Anne Strout, it's going into her studio and creating art.
My nephew and his family live in New York City, where streets usually crowded with vehicles and people are now empty and quiet. They've been isolated at home for several weeks now, with no end in sight. Their usual routines don't work anymore, so together, they've built some new ones.
This new normal we are experiencing can be overwhelming from many different angles. Even if you are a fairly level-headed individual like Diana Page. As a nurse practitioner, she is a pro at assessing a situation and taking appropriate action. She shares some of the lessons she continues to learn.
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.
Words of wisdom from my husband Barry: Being resourceful, gathering and sharing information (from credible sources) and visualizing that inevitable time ahead when things will be better helps us to be resilient. Read what else he has to say about trying to make the best of a challenging situation.
We all have our own perspectives on the effects of COVID-19 on our lives. I am grateful to have this blog where I can share information and people's stories, including my own sometimes. This short story comes from Sister Miriam Therese Callnan.
As we all try to grapple with being isolated, some people are doing better than others. It's a difficult time and one that Val Walker never anticipated when she wrote her book (out today) 400 Friends and No One to Call. We spoke on the phone recently and she shared how she came to write the book, as well as some wisdom about dealing with our current situation.
The threat of COVID-19 has turned our world(s) upside down. People isolated at home, some working, some out of a job, some not well, many feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. Pete Smith's story is that the business he and his partner Gudrun worked so hard to build is now closed. But as you'll see, Pete's an optimist.
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.
Feeling down? A little lost? Uncertain? Overwhelmed? Take a quick Bright Side break with me.
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.