Whispers from the Broomstick

  A Relaxing Evening in the Russian Apocalypse Sometimes, you just want to relax. Unwind. Forget your worries. So, naturally, I boot up the most soul-destroying, stress-inducing game ever created. With a hot drink in hand and a heart full of hope, I begin my new life… washed up on a cold, desolate beach with nothing but an apple and the sheer will to survive. Three steps inland, and I spot another fresh spawn. I do the universal “I’m friendly” wiggle, the delicate side-to-side shuffle that says, Hey, we’re both helpless, let’s not ruin each other’s day! But am I actually friendly? That’s still up for debate. He doesn’t need to know that, though. If all else fails, I could always pull the classic click mic, let them hear I’m female move....it’s an instant psychological weapon. But no, that’s a last resort. Instead, I commit to the wiggle, shimmying like a malfunctioning Roomba across the dirt. And then....oh. This guy is not here for friendship. Out comes his tiny knife. Sigh......

The End of Winter   This winter has been the longest I’ve ever known. And it didn’t start in November—it started last June, when the sun was still hot, when the days should have been bright. But instead, a shadow fell over everything. The days grew dark, and then even darker, as I felt a loss deeper than anything I’d ever known. Grief is a winter of its own kind. It settles in like frost on the soul, quiet and unrelenting. It strips the color from the world, leaving only gray. The cold of it lingers, seeping into places you never knew could feel empty. And for months, that’s where I lived—in the longest, coldest winter of my life. But now, the season is shifting. I can feel it in the warmth stretching across the mornings, in the golden persistence of the sun fighting to reclaim the sky. I see it in the brave little flowers pushing their way through the thawing earth, in the birds returning to feast on the generosity of spring. The world is waking up. And somehow, so am I. For the f...

  The Art of Self-Care: Slowing Down to Reconnect with Yourself In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—our well-being. We move through our days checking off to-do lists, running on caffeine and sheer willpower, and convincing ourselves that we’ll “rest later.” But let’s be real when is later ? Spoiler: it doesn’t exist unless we make it happen. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. When we take time to slow down and be present, we reconnect with ourselves in the best way possible. Even the simplest acts taking a long, steamy shower, pampering our skin, shaving our legs (or not, no judgment here) become more than just routine. They become tiny love letters to ourselves. A fresh coat of lotion? That’s not just hydration; it’s a hug for your skin. Mindfulness plays a key role in all of this. When we rush, we miss the beauty around us the golden light of the morning sun, the random heart-shaped cloud in the sky, or the satisfying pop of bubble wrap...

  "Not All Friendships Need a Physical Space"  We walked, side by side, the flowers I picked dangling from my fingers. We talked about nothing, about everything, we laughed. Words came easy, and for a while, the rest of the world just disappeared. No pressure, no noise, no weight. Just clarity. Friendship. Friendships like this are rare. No expectations, no performances just something real. Light but also deep. Simple but still irreplaceable.  Some of the truest connections I’ve made exist in a virtual space, friendships built on words, trust, and understanding. No distractions, no small talk just raw, unfiltered bonds. I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate this man more than I can explain. These moments, these conversations....They matter. More than words can ever capture. For Dan, My Friend