JMB Living

Maybe my self care has simply changed with the season... My morning routine has gotten a little neglected lately. I haven’t been walking every day like I used to, even though I intentionally made walking a habit because I know how important weight-bearing exercise is as I get older. I haven’t been meditating much either. Granted, meditation has never exactly been my cup of tea. But I know it’s good for me too, so I try. And my gratitude journaling hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention. I was...

I wrestled with a winter squash tonight. I was making ribollita, a hearty Tuscan vegetable stew, for dinner, and as I worked my way through that stubborn exterior, I couldn’t help thinking how much easier it would have been to open a package of already-cut squash. I quickly dismissed the thought, as l love all the different colors, shapes and flavors of winter squash that are available. In the bag, there's typcially just butternut. Tonight I cut up a red kabocha–it's dense velvety texture and...

How to Savor the Last Days of Summer Last weekend, we took a quick trip to Hawaii to cheer our grandson on at his cross-country meet. And while I was there, I stumbled across something that brought two very old memories rushing back. The first took me all the way back to high school, when I had the privilege of spending a month in Japan as an exchange student. It was there that I discovered shaved ice. On a couple of special days, it arrived surrounded by beautifully cut fresh fruit—a...

A few nights ago I had a dream... In it, I got to spend time with my father, who passed away several years ago. What I remember most was the feeling of gratitude. It was as if I had been given a second chance to be fully present for the time I had with him—to notice it, appreciate it, and not take it for granted. When I woke up, I was bummed to realize it had only been a dream. Yet at the same time it felt like dad had given me a message. Live fully now. I asked myself what I could do to be...

A few weeks ago, I was visiting my grandchildren in Montana when the temperatures were close to triple digits. It was so hot that we started making up verses to “It’s Too Darn Hot!” every time we got in the car. And now, here we are in September, and it’s still “too darn hot” here in Kentucky. But that hasn't stopped me from looking for signs of autumn. Have you noticed them yet? The light arriving a little later in the morning. The first leaves beginning to fall. Perhaps a morning or evening...

Good morning and welcome to a brand new week. A chance to start over again. A chance to do things a little better than last week. And with that in mind I thought I'd share about how lately it seems increasingly difficult to simply let someone have a different opinion than our own. Our society has become increasingly polarized. But then the other day I noticed it blatantly in myself as well. A few days ago, I was talking about this very topic with the woman who was polishing my teeth. She made...

This morning I almost cheated... You see, I’ve given myself some loose guidelines about how I live in harmony with the seasons, particularly when it comes to what I eat and when. But sometimes it’s really hard to wait until the fruits, vegetables and bounty of the season are in full swing. So, for me, that means I’m not yet making anything pumpkin. I haven’t had a pumpkin spice latte. No pumpkin muffins. No pumpkin pancakes. Not yet. So how did I almost cheat? Well, this morning I made...

What if you didn't fill the silence? Or the time you have before the next thing on your agenda? A couple of weeks ago, I left my mother's house, tooted the horn and waved goodbye, and almost immediately turned up the radio. My usual choice is a local public radio station. I like knowing what's happening in the world or learning something new. But that day's topic didn't really interest me, so I started contemplating putting on a language-learning program instead. After all, I didn't want to...

Have you ever finished a really good meal and realized you barely tasted it? I almost did exactly that. I'd made a fresh apricot cobbler, sat down and reached for my laptop before taking the first bite. There were emails to answer and ideas I wanted to capture. But fortunately, I stopped myself. Instead, I simply ate. Bite by bite. Ooo, the buttery topping. Ah, the warm fruit. The crisp edges caramelized just right... It reminded me of how often I shortchange my own joy—not because life isn't...

The other day, I was walking through my neighborhood when I noticed a yard sign. It said: Sarcoma Survivor. Now that's a powerful label. It acknowledges something someone has lived through. It honors their strength and recognizes a chapter of their life they didn't necessarily choose—but survived. The rest of my walk, I kept thinking about the labels we give ourselves. Some we choose intentionally. Others sneak in uninvited... "I'm terrible with directions." "I'm not a creative person." "I'm...