Helen Hudson
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REMAIN AND COMPLAIN?
Yes, that’s a woodpecker on the hummingbird feeder. Yesterday, I changed my home office around and switched my bird feeders in order to see them better. Who knew what chaos would ensue? This morning, several woodpeckers landed on the ‘regular’ seed feeder instead of their peanut butter block. After turning their heads in confusion, they bolted. Several finches and… Read more
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TRY THIS AT HOME?
Suddenly, I wake at midnight struggling for breath. After an hour of tossing and turning, I turn on all the lights and pace, certain that will kickstart my breathing. When that fails, I march outside in 29- degree weather, confident the cold will startle my windpipe open. By the time I call 911, two hours… Read more
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LIFE’S LOVELY LABYRINTH
I stumbled upon this labyrinth last week and decided to walk it. Oh, what temptation there was to head straight to the center! But as I took the circuitous route, passing places I’d been but now from a different perspective, I realized how well it parallels life: There is only one way in and one way out. What matters… Read more
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I WANT WHAT SHE’S HAVING
Recently, I asked one of my teenaged clients, “What do you think almost everyone I see has in common?” “They’re all crazy?” he replied. “No,” I said. “They all compare themselves to someone else who has something they don’t.” “Even you?” he asked. “Yes, even me. I would love to be young and strong again, like you. But… Read more
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URGENT CARE?
A recent Harvard report says the U.S. spends more on health care than all the other wealthy democracies in the world. We pay almost four times as much for pharmaceutical drugs as citizens of other developed countries. Hospitals, doctors, and nurses all charge more in the U.S. Interestingly, in spite of all that spending, life expectancy in the U. S.… Read more
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GO FLY A KITE!
The story of the vegan mom who was recently convicted of murder for starving her toddler was sad but not as shocking as one might think. She likely thought she was doing what was best for her child. She’s no different than those parents who refuse to vaccinate their children against diseases like polio. They all fall into… Read more
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ADD UP THE ‘EXTRAS’
I love to travel. Let me rephrase that. I love being in new places—not necessarily getting to them. We’ve found new ways to add costs to things that shouldn’t be charged for in the first place. Take airline seats. Once they were wide and cushy and fully reclined. Now you have to squeeze into them like a gymnast. Every airline provided three-course meals, including… Read more
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‘REAL’ LOVE
I saw this key next to a brochure promising, “Real Love,” sitting on a bench this morning when I took my walk. It seemed as if they were ‘planted.’ A little contrived, I thought. And yet? There was no one around but me. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find ‘real’ love on a… Read more
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I’D RATHER ROW THAN WADE
Had lunch with a friend this afternoon at a local restaurant and we were seated in a booth. When the food arrived, I suddenly realized just how low my seat was. My chin was almost even with the plate. I asked the waiter for a booster seat. He just looked at me. “A booster seat?” I asked again. “Do you… Read more
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LIGHT IT!
As a mental health counselor, I’ve had my share of suicides, psychotics, schizophrenics, and a host of other tortured, lost souls: Men emasculated by women. Women abused by men. Siblings that can’t stop fighting. Couples that can’t stop quarreling. Addicts that can’t stop addicting and an aging populace that has lost its’ purpose. Recently, a teenager told me that she was… Read more
AGEFULLY AGING 