Author: Karen

I am an RN, Author, Coach, and Speaker. I write novels about relationships to help people find insight into their own. I guide people to create comfort, clarity, and connection in their lives. By combining metaphysical tools with over twenty-five years of nursing experience, I infuse the 'art of nursing' into my practice by providing partnership and resources help people compassionately honor their health.

Garden update: end of May

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, gardening, local fun

The veggies are in! Found some interesting tomato varieties and practiced supreme self control by not buying all of them. New tomatoes (so far) for me this year are Taxi, Chiquita, Mr Stripey. Old standbys that are returning: Sweet 100's, Lemon Boy, Brandywine, Black Cherry, a couple of Romas. I am told by the Master Gardner … Continue reading Garden update: end of May

The day I ate whatever I wanted: Part 2 B (the day of)

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, fitness, Life in the cube, local fun, Midlife Crisis, restaurants, yoga

My friend Susan told me to have a: "Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy the whole day and do what YOU want!!" My response: "Well, since I'm working it will be hard to DO whatever I want, but instead I'm going to EAT whatever I want!" 🙂 So here goes: Day 2B of "The day I ate whatever … Continue reading The day I ate whatever I wanted: Part 2 B (the day of)

The day I ate whatever I wanted: Part 2 A (the day prior)

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, friends, Life in the cube

Since my actual birthday fell on a day I had to work (and I had no way to get out of it!), my husband and I celebrated the day prior.  The weather forecast called for a bleak, cold, rainy day. Does the weather influence what you eat? It certainly does me, so I had made a … Continue reading The day I ate whatever I wanted: Part 2 A (the day prior)

The day I ate whatever I wanted…Part One

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, baking, local fun, Midlife Crisis, quest for the best, restaurants

What better day to do so than on your birthday? That was my thought process anyway.  As I started planning my day's meals ahead of time, I recalled reading about this in a book by Elizabeth Berg, entitled (appropriately) The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted. I was a little disappointed that the whole book wasn't … Continue reading The day I ate whatever I wanted…Part One

My one word: April and May update

by Karen, posted in Midlife Crisis, my one word, Pantry Project, writing

April gone and it's May already? I can't believe it. It's barely made it out of the 50's here before today, for gosh sakes! I am continuing to EDIT, focusing mainly on my time/schedule right now. I have kept to my resolve not to sign up for any classes or programs or anything since November~ well, … Continue reading My one word: April and May update

A bird in the hand

by Karen, posted in chicks, good grief, no fear, raising chickens

One of my roles is Farmer (well, Wife of Farmer, to be more accurate). As such, I have a morning (and evening) routine when the primary farmer is away. Get coffee. (Get coffee is always Rule Number One, no matter what). 🙂 Feed the Teenager Chickens in the transitional coop; refill their water as needed. … Continue reading A bird in the hand

Mad Mothers

by Karen, posted in Someone's gotta say it

It’s interesting to read about these horrifying stories in the month when we celebrate mothers. Case 1: Krista Dittmeyer. Here is a 20-year-old mother from Portland, ME who was found dead in a pond at Cranmore Mountain. Her child was found unharmed (thankfully) in her mother's car, alone. The investigation revealed that Dittmeyer was possibly … Continue reading Mad Mothers

Chaos Theory

by Karen, posted in family, good grief, Midlife Crisis, no fear, relationships

When everything around you is falling apart, it can feel like the world is going to end (or maybe you wish that it would). Maybe you're doing your level best to keep things harmonious in your life, but then somehow you lose your focus for a split second. You make a bad decision and suddenly … Continue reading Chaos Theory

Change of life

by Karen, posted in family, health, Midlife Crisis, no fear, tweens

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that phrase? I'm betting that it will have something to do with a midlife woman navigating the perimenopausal years. It certainly always did for me. Now that I'm in the thick of it, however, I'm realizing that this phrase has multiple layers of meaning … Continue reading Change of life

Mother’s monkey mind

by Karen, posted in family, Holidays, Midlife Crisis, relationships, tweens

On a recent episode of The Middle, the mom Frankie got it wrong. For mother's day, she thought she wanted the entire day to herself, free of husband and children, to do whatever she wanted to. This was a classic episode of "be careful what you wish for" because all she managed to do that … Continue reading Mother’s monkey mind