Author: Mandy Schreiber
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Dear Diary: The First Cold of the School Year
Dear Diary, Well, we made it to week 3 before Kid #3 brought home the first cold of the season. Adult Kid, a.k.a. Kid #1, doesn’t even start college for another week or two. Still, that’s three times as long as last December, when the kids were back for ONE WEEK after the month-long teachers… Read more
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I Choose to Love the Ever-Loving Stuffing Out of My Sadness
There is no timeline to grief. One moment you’re fine, and the next it threatens to overwhelm you. It becomes a pressure cooker, demanding release or explosion. A month ago, mine exploded in the form of panic attacks. Once I realized the root cause of my panic attacks was unresolved grief, I was able to… Read more
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Summer Has Left the Oven on and Now We’re Overdone
It’s too hot out For September *** I want to yell Sweat pooling down my back As I write these words Triple digit days Belong to July Or maybe even August Not September *** Summer and fall have collided A mismatched mashup Both trying to stake their claim Vibrant oranges and reds Decorate both tomatoes… Read more
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Dear Diary: I’m Not Handling the New School Year Well but the Kids Seem Okay
Dear Diary, Well, we’re a solid few weeks into the new school year now. Kids seem to have adjusted well, even with the random changes to the times their schools now start. The high school starts a whopping FOUR minutes earlier. I don’t know what adding four minutes to their day is going to accomplish.… Read more
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Everyday Joy and Random Acts of Magic
When I was in middle school, I kept a special piece of string. I don’t remember the exact material, but my guess is embroidery floss, as this was deep in the days of hair wraps and friendship bracelets (bring back the smell of burnt hair, anyone? Just me?). Every time something good happened, I would… Read more
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Haiku: Caught in the Frenzied Dance of Summer Rain
Summer rain shower How you caught me by surprise So full of passion *** Raindrop cannonballs Pelt the gazebo above Staccato drumbeats *** This frenzied rhythm Pouring out its very soul Holding nothing back *** “Come join me!” it cries “Living wild and carefree!” Each drop beckons me *** As I get ready The answer… Read more
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Dear Diary: Reveling in the Subsequent Quietness
Dear Diary, Today is the first day of school. Well, technically YESTERDAY was the first day, but today is the first day that ALL the kids are at school. Except for the adult kid. The adult kid doesn’t start for another few weeks and isn’t technically a kid anymore, so I stand by my original… Read more
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The Art of Letting Your Body Speak
My body speaks to me. A LOT. It nervously babbles like butterflies in my stomach when my turn is next at karaoke. It sings in delight when I breathe in the intoxicating aroma of honeysuckle. It “gets funky” when I hear a ‘90s song play in the grocery store and I can’t help but move… Read more
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Haiku: The Life of a Dandelion
Dandelion Queen Your beautiful resilience Has captured my heart *** Riches of yellow You wear in your maidenhood Cheerful as the sun *** When wizened with age Your wisdom freely given Wishes in the wind Read more
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Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom: The Hidden Hike
When going on a “hidden hike” in the middle of a prestigious college campus in Portland, be sure to download the map from the college website so you know where to park and where the trail starts. Verify said details with Google Maps before driving to said parking lot. You’ll still turn too early and… Read more