Author Archives: taralynnewrites

My partner and I have been talking about needs. One perspective that he has proposed is that if we are living from our essence, our true selves, then we have no needs, at least none that we need another person to meet. This morning I offered the following counter argument: That would make us differentContinue reading “Even the rain needs the sun”

This just in (from a conversation with my friend Amanda): Amanda: How about I text you when I am on my way home from the movie theater and I’ll come get you. Me: I have a better idea. No, not a better idea. That was a wonderful idea. I have a more efficient idea, anContinue reading “Better Idea”

The other day I was admonished by yet another author to live each day as if it were my last. Exploring my annoyance with this hackneyed piece of advice, I realized that there is one very good and very simple reason to not greet each day as if it is going to be my lastContinue reading “My Last Day”

At the ripe old age of 56, I keep learning new things. Though I also keep learning new skills (with the help of my partner and a friend, I put a new roof on my house this past summer), the new things I am speaking of here are much simpler than that, things that fallContinue reading “It Took a While: Things I’ve Learned Late in Life”

I don’t quite remember how it began but I know that Alex was instrumental in creating what we now call dinner group. She had spent most of her adult life up until buying her house a few blocks from mine living in intentional communities. She missed sharing meals with other community members and so wantedContinue reading “Dinner Group”

A few months ago my friend Amanda and I created a weekly dreary work hour. I was two years behind on filing my income tax returns. She had tasks related to insurance claims (she’s a massage therapist who bills insurance for her services) that she had been avoiding for months. Having enjoyed having each othersContinue reading “Dreary Work Hour”

I’ve never wanted to have an altar. I’ve had it recommended to me many times by friends and teachers alike but the idea never appealed to me. I have neither gods nor gurus, crystals nor other sacred objects to place up it. I do not engage in prayer. And, even if I had all theseContinue reading “Gratitude Altar”

A few months ago I sliced my left index finger open with a pruning saw. The cut was quite deep. Deep enough that after applying pressure for five or ten minutes, there was no lessening in the steady flow of blood out of the cut. It was clear that I had two choices, attempt herbalContinue reading “Herbal Magic #1: Horsetail”