February 2025

February 27, 2025

Stairs, Smiles and Gratitude

We love our house and I’m grateful for it. Over many years we’ve tended to renovations of all sorts – some of which I’ve shared here. As we’ve approached the finish line with projects (she said hopefully) we’ve finally meandered toward the front door. Literally – to the entry way and stairs. The same tired Continue reading

Family

Design, Family, gratitude, home decor, kindness, love, relationships
February 23, 2025

Power Boosts? Yes, Please!

While doing some routine, desktop maintenance recently (but not nearly as much as I should be doing when I think about the periodic decluttering inspiration I receive from my talented friend, Michelle Oram) I found something that made me grin. Michelle has a knack for encouraging a good tidy-up and let’s just say my digital Continue reading

Wellness

author, creativity, Inspiration, quotes, selfcare, Wellness
February 20, 2025

Her Protective Gear

Every now and then I’ve been inspired to share snippets of my poetry practice here on Victoria Ponders. It’s deeply personal – part of my daily journaling – but when a dear one asked recently for support…wondering how to begin her own practice, she asked a compelling question about my healing journey. “How do you Continue reading

Wellness

author, gratitude, healing, journaling, poetry, reflection, Wellness, writing
February 16, 2025

A Story Told in Four Vignettes

Life with my mom, Sue, was complicated from the get-go. Especially when I began to ask questions as a toddler about my disabled sister, Lisa and her differences. I was a child trying to understand but I was shut down, left and right. I wrote about the first altercation with Sue, related to Lisa in Continue reading

Family, Surviving Sue

Family, love, memories, photos, relationships, resilience, sisters, Wellness
February 13, 2025

Sharing Our Stories – “Surviving Sue” – New Review

I’ve yet to meet a memoirist who didn’t have a moment or two of panic about exposure. Baring ourselves, our stories and hoping for understanding. Hoping that the notes of resilience and empowerment shine through. I had those anxieties when I wrote “Surviving Sue“. They’d come in waves and torrents, but I carried on…ever hopeful Continue reading

Surviving Sue

book review, Edward Ortiz, empowerment, gratitude, memoir, mental health, resilience, Surviving Sue, Wellness
February 10, 2025

Empathy. Do It. ❤

“One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.”-Charles M. Blow Have you heard? Author and journalist Charles Blow is leaving the New York Times as he steps into a fellowship at Harvard. Even if you haven’t followed him at the Times, you might Continue reading

kindness, Wellness

career advice, Charles M. Bow, compassion, counseling, empathy, Inspiration, love, psychology
February 8, 2025

When You Crack Yourself Up: Hello, Herbie?

Someone told me once that we really write for ourselves. Maybe so. But what I know for sure? I’ll admit that I enjoy my periodic posts titled, “When You Crack Yourself Up“. Depending upon my mood, degree of sleep deprivation or frustration with the world, it’s anyone’s guess what might strike my fancy and send Continue reading

Family, Wellness

Family, gratitude, humor, laughter, love, self-care, storytelling, Wellness
February 6, 2025

Music Matters

Anthony Neilson is a Scottish writer and actor, and I love a quote attributed to him about the power of music, especially for storytellers: Listen to music to find a way into the story you’re telling. Music is incredibly evocative: find the right piece that reflects the world you’re writing about, and you’re halfway there. Continue reading

writing

Inspiration, music, music therapy, stress reduction, Wellness, writing
February 2, 2025

Finding Joy…In Friendship

Have you heard about Dave Williams’ inspirational project? I should say his latest inspirational project, “Joy Is…”? Dave is a multi-hyphenate writer, author, artist, designer and content creator extraordinaire. The best descriptor I’ve come up with – to describe Dave’s artistry across genres and mediums – is this: Dave’s work enchants. The “Joy Is…” project Continue reading

Family, Surviving Sue

creativity, Family, gratitude, Inspiration, joy, relationships, Surviving Sue, writers

“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.

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