Domino Transitions

ruthjimward@gmail.com The Transitions Galore blog generated responses referring to transitions as hard-knocks, second-hand transitions, rolling with the punches, forced, inherited or domino transitions citing negative effects but emphasizing benefits as well, which will be our focus this week. The first use of Domino Effect: was in 1966; Ripple…

Transitions Galore

ruthjimward@gmail.com The youngest to the oldest contend with expected and unexpected positive and negative life changes—transitions—from creating chaos and disturbances, with tears/anger, to unexpected, exciting new opportunities.  Our focus will be on transitions which plummet backwards to dependency, or forward to new undertakings in order…

Digesting Gobbled-up, Overbearing Responses

ruthjimward@gmail.com The following responses to: The question to ask is are we coming across overwhelming or overpowering to others?  provide additional insight in identifying abrasive, insensitive and overbearing attitudes. Oh, how grateful I am for your insights. I am a gobbler. In fact, it has taken discipline over…

Gobbled-up, Overbearing

ruthjimward@gmail.com The gobbled-up expression came from a dear friend, a strong Introvert, who years ago vented: “When Joe and I recently visited his parents for a few days, as soon as we arrived, before we even unloaded the car, Madge after hugging everyone, directed me to sit right…

Chasing Blueberries

ruthjimward@gmail.com When several blueberries meant for my cereal bowl rolled onto the kitchen floor, from my wheelchair I intentionally watched which way they dashed for several valid reasons: avoid the wheelchair’s tire-encounter, a relative or friend smashing one on their shoe-sole, or under the table could become…

Sleeping Apart

ruthjimward@gmail.com A friend emailed, I’m working on a magazine assignment about couples who have separate bedrooms, and whether it is a good idea or causes trouble. I wondered if you had dealt with this problem in your years of marriage counseling and solutions. I’d like to…

Wheeling Not Walking

ruthjimward@gmail.com In the wee hours of the last day of 2022, I was rudely awakened by an unusually painful calf-cramp. When the normal few steps failed to walk it out, I crawled back in bed hoping the pain would subside by morning. No such luck and a ball…

Discretionary--Not Obligated

ruthjimward@gmail.com The word discretionary rolled around in my brain for several days. Personally, I had one definition--money that wasn’t earmarked, like the bill tucked in whatever purse I carry just in case it might be needed. In taking an informal poll the meaning of discretionary, I received…