Victoria Ponders

Author of “Surviving Sue”

  • “Staying Strong in Turbulent Times”

    I’m honored and humbled by author Lauren Scott and her recent review of “Surviving Sue“, on Amazon and Goodreads…especially these words about my book: Heartwarming and inspirational… Insight for others… What it means to love and forgive… Staying strong in turbulent times… It was as if Lauren encapsulated the essence of my writing intentions with…

    Continue Reading…

  • Authenticity is Everything

    Three simple words of advice. Straightforward and mantra-like across many decades, thanks to my dear friend and mentor, Dr. John Muchmore: “Authenticity is everything…” Today I ‘m resharing a post I wrote about John in November 2023 – in tribute (see below). The lifeforce that was John Muchmore passed away last week. He was beloved…

    Continue Reading…

  • Feeling Fortunate

    No, this post isn’t a substitute for a thank you note to a few fantastic gift-givers in my life. It’s just an extra, extra shoutout of gratitude. I don’t know how I got so very lucky, but I have dear ones around me who seem to crawl in and know exactly what makes me smile.…

    Continue Reading…

  • Unexpected Encouraging Words: “You Might Fail”

    My dad, Sonny, always had plenty of advice to offer but he wasn’t the type to pipe up with unsolicited input. If you wanted to know what he thought about something, you needed to ask. His face gave away little unless he wanted you to see what he was thinking. It was a vocational asset…

    Continue Reading…

  • Lisa’s Patch Jacket

    This is my first post back in the WordPress saddle for 2025 and I want to share how grateful I am for the opportunity to step away, work on some other projects and spend loads of time with family and friends. I know I missed many of your posts and for that, I’m sorry. I…

    Continue Reading…

  • “A Memoir You Will Not Soon Forget”

    Thank you, Beth, for your beautiful review, full of kindness about my book, “Surviving Sue”. I love this sentence in your review because it so succinctly summarizes my hopeful intention behind sharing the complicated story about life with Sue. Building resilience with compassion. Yes! I would highly recommend this book to anyone as an engaging…

    Continue Reading…

  • Santa Sue

    (I shared a portion of this post a couple of years ago and couldn’t resist a ‘take two’ moment today…a smile about my complicated mother and her love of Christmas.) My mom, Sue, was a party girl at heart and Christmas was her favorite holiday.  Even when money was tight, she’d find ways to rally people…

    Continue Reading…

  • Don’t Whine

    Margaret Atwood offered fabulous advice for writers fourteen years ago and I missed it. Thank goodness for the almighty algorithms that serve nuggets of wisdom. I don’t know how that happens. Sometimes I like it, but other times? It definitely feels invasive…seeing something in my social media feed which addresses a complaint – unuttered –…

    Continue Reading…

  • Live Every Minute!

    Sounds bossy, I know. Live Every Minute! But stick with me. I’m mulling the enchantment of books…words and creations…illustrations that transport us; nudge us about what matters most. Kindness. Consideration. Love. I won’t pretend to understand how the Universe works, but I am delighted when coincidences appear. I’m delighted when I meet talented people and…

    Continue Reading…

  • Loving Lisa & Supporting Her Team

    I adore my intellectually disabled sister, Lisa, and many long-time readers know how grateful I am for the caring team which surrounds Lisa in her CILA (community integrated living arrangement). Her loving group home, staffed by dear ones who’ve become extensions of our family over the years. Staff members who work for the Clearbrook organization…

    Continue Reading…

Leave a comment

“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.

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor

BLOG ARCHIVES

Recent Posts

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!