June 2024

June 29, 2024

Where You’ve Always Been

June is a tricky month for me, full of celebrations and remembrances of people loved and lost. Birthdays, for sure, but also anniversaries of loved ones’ passings. Memories swirling together. As this month winds down, my head and heart are simultaneously full, so I reach for any scrap of paper to play poet. A post-it, Continue reading

Family

comfort, Family, fathers and daughters, loss, love, memories, poetry
June 26, 2024

Healthy Exits

The Preamble: Does this happen to you? When I begin mulling a certain topic, my brain finds alignment with the theme or concept and before I know it, I have a line-up of scenarios, moments, memories that fall into the same bucket of consideration. It’s fantastic, this awareness business 😉 and it makes me think Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, confidence, purpose, relationships, workplace identities
June 24, 2024

Inspiration for Writers

I’m not a big reader of thrillers. Never have been, but it’s not because I dislike them. I just haven’t taken the time…BUT an encounter with a super successful author is changing my mind. My dear friend, Linda K. invited me to an event last Saturday at Barrington’s White House…the same place I held my Continue reading

writing

author, best seller, books, Charlie Donlea, encouragement, Surviving Sue, writing advice
June 21, 2024

What an Honor!

A new article about “Surviving Sue” and Writing for Wellness is out – featured in Happiness Between Tails by da-AL – Writing/Tales + Tails + Culture + Compassion. That’s the talented da-AL pictured above. If you’re not following her to absorb all the inspiration in her blog, what are you waiting for? When an Emmy Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, gratitude, healing, hope, Wellness
June 17, 2024

Worthiness Reminders

I attended an author event this past weekend and it was fabulous. I love learning from accomplished writers – especially when they share their secrets for maintaining motivation. But while I was there, in a room full of fervent fans and aspirational writers, my intuitive, introverted self was overloaded from the jump. Choosing a seat Continue reading

writing

author, book signings, books, friendship, gratitude, motivation, wisdom
June 14, 2024

Smiley Face Mystery – Rewind!

It’s been a week of wacky wonderment with the crazy shenanigans on the anniversary of my dad’s passing (which I wrote about here). A sweet reader friend reminded me of a post from last year – nearly to the day, June 16, 2023 – when I wrote about a suspicious smiley face. I figured her Continue reading

Family

Family, humor, love, messages, smiles
June 12, 2024

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – She’s One!

My book about my mom’s complicated life, “Surviving Sue” is turning one! Wowza. Just wowza. The past year has been full of ‘firsts’ – things I never imagined doing and I’m grateful, grateful. One of those little gems arrived this morning when I noticed the Kindle version of “Surviving Sue” popped back up in the Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, gratitude, resilience, writer's journey
June 10, 2024

Surround Me Now

Today marks the 27th anniversary of my dad, Sonny’s passing. Living with loss is one of the life’s greatest achievements, I think. Not a day goes by without thinking about my dad – for one reason or another. Every year he consumes my thoughts when June 10 rolls around. Sometimes fleeting glimpses of silly moments Continue reading

Family

Family, fathers, gratitude, Inspiration, love, memories
June 7, 2024

What Do You See?

Well-chosen words add richness to my life… when I slow down and let them in. I have a daily quote book that I love, but I’ll confess I’ve been remiss. Too busy to slow down and take a peek. I have favorites throughout – obvious when I see how the book is beginning to age Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, Inspiration, nature, quotes, Thoreau
June 6, 2024

Dream a Little Dream…

I forget how useful it can be to surrender my troubles to my dream state. It’s not a fail-safe method, but letting my subconscious go forth and fetch a solution or two is like magic. No, it’s not like ordering a pizza. Delivery isn’t assured and the toppings are unpredictable, but it’s worth a whirl. Continue reading

podcast

authors, dreams, fathers, Inspiration, love, podcast, relationships, storytelling
June 4, 2024

Fresh Feedback & Coming Soon!

I’ve got some fresh feedback – two lovely reviews to share – and a reminder about an upcoming event! The friendly folks at the Woodstock Public Library have invited me to present on Tuesday, July 30 and I can’t wait: Navigating Elder Care with Humor and Grace | Woodstock Public Library (librarycalendar.com) Caregiving is a Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, books, caregiving, elder care, event, gratitude, mental health, self-care, Wellness
June 1, 2024

The Unfolding

In 2006, just six months before he passed away, author Kurt Vonnegut responded to a letter from a group of Xavier High School students in New York City. I’m sure you’ve read about this – the goodness of the message has gone viral more than once in the intervening years, most recently thanks to actor, Continue reading

Surviving Sue, writing

author, books, courage, Inspiration, personal development, writing

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Podcasts

Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.

You can find our podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pocket Casts. Please subscribe!

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor; How to Create a Writing Platform; AI for Caregivers

About Me

Learn about five books that inspired and supported my writing journey by visiting my personalized book review page on Shepherd.

BLOG ARCHIVES

Victoria Ponders

June 2024

Where You’ve Always Been

Healthy Exits

Inspiration for Writers

What an Honor!

Worthiness Reminders

Smiley Face Mystery – Rewind!

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – She’s One!

Surround Me Now

What Do You See?

Dream a Little Dream…

Fresh Feedback & Coming Soon!

The Unfolding

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Podcasts

Workshops

About Me

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