When you discover you have a chronic ailment as a teenager it can alter your life. I share my experiences with Thrombophlebitis; what it is, how to cope and the way forward for a healthy, happy life. In today’s world, it is not uncommon to have an abnormality.

The saga continues, adventures with Joey were nonstop.  It didn’t matter that everything we did together was bizarre, like taking pictures in front of a mausoleum on a snowy Christmas day.  I was on a mission to fix him.  I saw only his sensitive side and denied what was dangerous.

When I am in the presence of trees, I feel happy, safe and protected. Whether they are in a park, or the forest, or stand-alone, I am in awe.  I share my unique journey with a 150 yr. Monterey Pine as it has reached the end of its life.

My first date with Joey extended for three days.  I was transfixed by this unconventional guy and rapidly became addicted to him. I call this adventure with my ex the Lost Weekend.  It was filled with shock, horror, guilt and shame.  It was the beginning of a riveting twelve-year saga.

Growing up I found glasses restrictive when it came to dance and later when I would swim with my young daughter.  Wearing contacts, having Lasik surgery, and then ultimately needing Cataract surgery, I was a guinea pig on more than one occasion. My experiences were highly unusual.  Important information!

iving in cities all my life I have been surprised to enjoy experiences with raccoons and families of deer.  There have been many sightings of coyotes in my neighborhood.  This has encouraged me to find out how cities are adapting as we are sharing space with a variety of creatures.

Denial is the disease.  I couldn’t believe what was clear to everyone else; I was addicted to an alcoholic.  I needed to be needed so badly I subconsciously attracted a guy whom I could obsessively worry about and control.  It wasn’t love, it was codependency.

For 40 years I lived an unbalanced, shame based life.  I was obsessive, compulsive and extremely neurotic. Unknowingly I attracted alcoholics and druggies and was pulled into the dark side. After years of working toward wellness, I finally recognized I was healthy on the day I call Codependence Day.

Crossing the street in San Francisco I was hit by a large white van driven by a hit-and-run driver.  Fifteen years later I needed a hip replacement due to this old injury.  During the healing process, I learned how to see the blessings in both painful physical and emotional experiences.

Visualization techniques are quite powerful. I learned a valuable lesson when I created my first Life Map Collage.  With obsessive, compulsive behavior I attempted to build a fantasy relationship which was a recipe for disaster. My experience was astonishing!  The result was a surprise ending that disappointed and shocked me.