On My Mind: Beyond traditional talk therapy
In good psychotherapy, we feel listened to, understood without judgment, and cared for. In doing so, it helps us feel safer, kinder, wiser, and happier. With the help of cognitive and behavioral tools, we...
The act of protest
“Handful of senators don't pass legislation
And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'”
–P.F. Sloan, “Eve of Destruction” (1965)
P.F. Sloan wrote Barry McGuire’s one and only...
Writing from the Heart: (Un)reality
The movie "Everything Everywhere All At Once" is nominated for an academy award. My husband and I just might be the only people who didn’t love it. We just didn’t get it.
It reminded me,...
Writing from the Heart: Antique lace
Yesterday I took a walk on Lucy Vincent. When we got to the pond I had a sudden flash of a distinct memory.
So many years ago every weekday morning, I would ride my bike...
In the chair
“Penny Lane, there is a barber showing photographs of every head he's had the pleasure to know, and all the people that come and go, stop and say, ‘Hello’.”
We all know that tune. It’s...
Writing from the Heart: Compassion fatigue
There’s a pile of three nickels on my table. The VFW sends them twice a year with their fundraising envelope. They peel off very easily. No residual, yucky, gooey stuff. Should be easy peasy...
Writing from the Heart: The case for living memorials
I went to a memorial a few days ago. One speaker after another got up and told these amazing stories. I knew him slightly. It was really his wife I was there for. But...
Writing from the Heart: Keeping your heart open
God, this lamb korma is good. And the rice, the rice has whole cumin seeds! I love those.
My husband and I are eating at the new Indian restaurant in Oak Bluffs. I’m so happy...
Writing from the Heart: Do something different in 2023
I always make my New Year’s resolutions after New Year’s. It doesn't really matter when I make the list, since it always starts with the same thing: Quit sugar.
Which is why I have to...
Writing from the Heart: Christmas envy
This is the first year in my entire life I don't have Christmas envy. Over the years, my kids have known about my vivid memory of walking into my friend Arlene Keefe’s house during...
Writing from the Heart: Spiritual lessons from a trench coat
Until today, when I was zipping up my new winter jacket, I never realized how my clothing is actually the catalyst for my spiritual growth.You may not have realized it for yourselves, but when...
Writing from the Heart: Technical writing and a tinfoil boat
There are so many brilliant writers that come to the Chilmark Writing Workshop that I’ve decided that once in a while, I would like to feature one as a guest writer, and share their...
Writing from the Heart: Daylight saving
This is my favorite time of the year. When we turn the clocks back and it gets dark at four in the afternoon. I seem to be in the minority. So I have to...
Writing from the Heart: Crying … a lot
I've been doing a lot of crying lately.
I don’t know if it’s post-, post-menopause, or the state of the world or change of life or climate change or changing channels between Fox, where they...
Writing from the Heart: Welcome back
I am welcoming myself back to the column. As some of you might know, I took a mini sabbatical to rewrite my memoir, the one that got 17 rejections. When I finally dragged myself...
The Write Prescription: Migrations
I have been privileged, for the past six months, to fill in for Nancy Aronie while she took a break from writing this column. I am excited to let you know that Nancy will...
The Write Prescription: The gift of beauty
My mother used to tell me not to be flattered when my Aunt Jenny said I was pretty. I supposed she should know. She tried to fix herself physically to meet the beauty standards...
The Write Prescription: Wanting to wait
I have spent a lot of time waiting this summer. There have been the usual moments of suspended time — waiting for the electrician to come, the internet to work, the mechanic to fix...
Disobedience has its upside
(Note: I grew up living with my grandparents, Sadie and Elton Wood, and as more time goes by, the more I appreciate the years I spent with them. This is the only time I...
The Write Prescription: Seeing magic
It’s 5:30 in the morning, and I’m trying to figure out if I want to kayak. The conditions are just the way I like them. Calm and foggy. I had just kayaked the morning...