To begin with the obvious, this year has been challenging, painful, demoralizing and heartbreaking. It has also been joyful and illuminating, an adventure and a dream come true. Some days, I feel guilty for the good stuff, for feeling true joy as the world breaks into pieces. But, we have to grab onto the good stuff when we can.
For me, this year has been painful, literally, as I have been struggling with frozen shoulder, not sleeping because of the pain, and unable to use my right arm with any regularity. It has been demoralizing and I have spent many nights awake and in tears, but nothing could overshadow the dreams that have blossomed right in front of my eyes.
For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of having a book published. I never imagined I would find someone who wanted to publish my work, who would believe in what I do and put their own time and energy into making my dream a reality. I hope River knows how incredible it is that he has chosen to do this for so many writers who feel lost and uncertain. I will never be able to adequately thank him. He has been an inspiration to me through his writing and his work as publisher extraordinaire. I am so proud to be a part of Potter’s Grove Press. If you want to check out the two readings I did, you can have a peek at my YouTube Channel. If you would like to buy my book, “Things My Mother Left Behind” (Potter’s Grove Press,) you can pick it up on Amazon.
Some other Giant and Joyful news……Joe and I are moving to Ireland, in October. It is another dream come true. I have wanted to live in Ireland since I was a child. It may seem crazy, because I have never been to Ireland, but I always knew it would feel like home. It has been a really painful and trying decade for me and Joe, and this move feels like we are finally getting the chance to step into our life in ways we have long dreamed of. I can’t wait to write my first blog post from Ireland, my first poem, my first story. I can’t wait to feel dreams alive in my eyes and on my tongue. I am ready to fly into the center of the kaleidoscope. Dreams
August 12, 2020 at 11:56 am
Whoa!!!! Very unexpected! And amazing! I am so happy for you!!!!!! That does sound like a dream come true. I am celebrating with you! xoxoxo
August 12, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Thank you my lovely friend. You are in my heart and thoughts.
August 12, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Congratulations on your book and moving to Ireland!!! I can’t wait to read your work!!
August 12, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Thank you so much!!!!!
August 12, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Baby, I’m coming to get you. Get those hiking shoes ready. Soooo happy for you guys.
August 12, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Thank you, Gorgeous Lady! Love and Adore you! I can’t wait to hike with you!!!
August 12, 2020 at 1:53 pm
I’ll be patient. I promise.
August 12, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Fabulous news. Take me with you 😊
August 12, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Awesome. Congratulations to you both!
August 13, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Thank you!!! We are so excited!
August 12, 2020 at 4:40 pm
I felt like that when I was in England…I miss it dearly…I’ve never been to Ireland yet and eagerly look forward to your first poems/posts…congratulations on your beautiful book and travel plans!
August 13, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Thank you so much, Love! You have a place to stay in Ireland when you do make it over there!!!
August 14, 2020 at 4:07 pm
That sounds lovely…I hope you and yours have a wonderful summer weekend!
August 13, 2020 at 2:29 am
At times like these it is even more important to grab happiness wherever we find it. Don’t feel guilty for it — we only have one life. I can’t wait to read you from your new home!
August 13, 2020 at 2:07 pm
That is just how we feel. It has been such a hard decade and we are ready for a new adventure. Why the hell not, I say!!!
August 13, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Exactly!
August 13, 2020 at 7:21 am
Ireland in autumn, a dream awakening, all seasons open to your words…
August 13, 2020 at 2:08 pm
That is so beautiful!! In my fantasy, I am going to be more inspired than ever. I have had my fill of the inspiration I get from this crooked city of angels.
August 13, 2020 at 11:11 am
Alright! Very happy for you both!
August 13, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Thank you so much, Mark. We are super excited!!!
August 16, 2020 at 7:45 am
I’m so jealous of your move–Ireland! What a beautiful dream that is for me. As for shoulder issues, you know about mine, but I didn’t have a chance to tell that I had my first shock wave therapy treatment and my god, it’s working! I don’t know if it can help frozen shoulder, but you should look into it if you already haven’t–my pain was reduced over 50% after the very first treatment and I can sleep–not only sleep, but also on my right side now, which I hadn’t been able to do for months!
August 16, 2020 at 3:54 pm
Suzanne, I am so glad to hear that your pain has decreased so much!!! I know you have been in pain for ages and the relief from it is indescribable. I have miraculously entered the thawing stage and my pain has also lessened a lot. I wish someone has suggested this shock wave therapy stuff when I was crying in my chair at 2am. Isn’t sleeping on the right side after so long totally amazing? I have been sleeping so much better since I can do so again. Yay for us and improving shoulders. As for Ireland, you have a place to stay whenever you are there! Love and Adore you!!!!
August 16, 2020 at 4:21 pm
I’m so happy you’re feeling some relief after so long! My physiotherapist was telling me about frozen shoulder and how painful it was as well. It’s so fantastic to wake up in the middle of the night on my right side and not have to take painkillers. I have another appointment on Tuesday—fingers crossed that it gets even better. And once we can travel again, Ireland is definitely on our list❤️❤️❤️
August 18, 2020 at 7:57 am
I entirely relate to the pain and the indescribable relief. I am so glad the treatment is working for you, Suzanne!!!! I can’t believe you finished your third book while in so much pain. You are a super star, my friend! xoxoxoxo
August 18, 2020 at 12:47 pm
Thank you so much! I go for another treatment today, so fingers crossed that it gets even better!
August 19, 2020 at 1:01 pm
How did it go?
August 19, 2020 at 2:11 pm
Really good!
August 20, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Yay!!!!
August 20, 2020 at 4:32 pm
❤️❤️❤️
August 16, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Amazing 😍
August 17, 2020 at 9:33 pm
Congratulations on your book and on your move. I envy you for both but most of all the latter. America is not a good place these days.
I’m trying to convince Cora to move to Italy but she’s not having it. I’m considering going anyway if Trump is reelected.
I’ve had frozen shoulder and have it again. The first time I had it treated with acupuncture and I had range of motion back in 6 weeks. Don’t know how accessible acupuncture is during covid. This time I’m gritting my teeth through range of motion exercises.
Congrats again. Very excited for you
August 18, 2020 at 8:04 am
Oh Paul, I am so sorry you have frozen shoulder. It is truly terrible. I found the best thing for relief was massage and sometimes a bit of heat or ice. I hope you get through it quickly again this time. I am now in the thawing stage and it is glorious, even though my ROM is still limited. I think Italy sounds like a great idea. I am so sorry that I lost touch with you and your blog. It has been a crazy, painful and wonderful 8 months. I hope to return to writing things in full when we are settled in Ireland. I hope that you and Cora and the kids and grandkids are all safe and well.
August 19, 2020 at 11:14 am
Wow! Talk about a life altering event. I hope you write all about the move. The good, bad and the ugly. I can’t say I’ll miss you because I assume you will keep on blogging. If we have another 4 years of this administration I will want to join u
August 19, 2020 at 1:04 pm
There is a place for you to stay in Ireland any time!!!! I can’t deny feeling relieved to be leaving the US and the heat infested CA. I am hoping to get back to blogging much more regularly when we are settled. My mind has been in a million places for so long.
August 24, 2020 at 9:21 am
I had frozen shoulder on the left and when it finally healed it’s now in the right, so I know how much it sucks!!! I’m sorry it’s been such a trying year. I’m overjoyed for your dream of publishing a book to have come to fruition. It’s so awesome!! Congrats on the move. I hope it is all you e dreamt it would be! Love you you. 💜
August 24, 2020 at 10:32 am
Oh Angela, I am so sorry you are dealing with frozen shoulder. I hope you are getting lots of massages and as much rest as possible. It is such a terrible thing to go through. I still don’t have my ROM back, but to be in the thawing stage feels amazing.
You will always have a place to visit and stay in Ireland!!!
Thank you, as ever, for your love and support. xoxo
August 25, 2020 at 5:41 am
Thank you and it’s always my pleasure, Susan.
August 29, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Congratulations on the book, I have been back reading your blog posts. The way you speak about Ireland I have felt about England like I had lived there in a past life. Oh my on the frozen shoulder, I had the same problem, just woke up one day to pain and couldn’t brush my hair or lift my arm. I went to physical therapy for 6 months, a suggest it strongly and also had dry needling done (which I had doubts about, also I hate needles) I won’t lie it is painful at first. However afterwards it is so helps. After all that I am back to normal with the should and no pain. So I hope you find the relief I did. I so enjoy your blog and am slowly reading the back log. 🙂
August 29, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Sorry about the typos I sometimes think faster than I type, lol auto correct doesn’t help either.
August 29, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Never worry about typos….I am a queen of typos in most of my comments and posts. I am just so glad to meet you.
August 29, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Thank you.
August 29, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Oh my, thank you so much!!!! I am so pleased to meet you! My shoulder is finally in the thawing stage, which is a huge relief. I am so sorry you went through it as well; it is so demoralizing. I have never heard of needling, but I will definitely check it out. I look forward to reading more of your poetry once I am more settled. Getting ready to move is taking it out of me.
August 29, 2020 at 7:04 pm
Moving always takes a lot out everyone. I love Kate’s poetry. When she highlighted and mentioned how much she loved your work I had to read for myself. Lol the settling in is the best part of a move. 😁
August 30, 2020 at 8:29 am
I love her work too! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my blog as well!!!