Greetings!

For many people, the month of June signals the time to celebrate fathers and fatherhood. I was blessed to have a wonderful and loving father who, in spite of his childhood tragedies, was grateful to be alive. Everyone loved him, from the grocery store owner to distant family. He had a huge heart. He didn't like seeing people upset or sad and would bring light into everyone who crossed his path. I learned many lessons from my father. It makes me sad to realize that he died at the age I am now. Way too young. Losing him taught me to appreciate loved ones while they're around, because we're all visitors here and could be gone at any moment.

June is also PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month. This is a condition that was not spoken about when I was a young girl. We all had good days and bad days and had good things and bad things happen to us. Today, therapy is more commonplace, as are certain medications, supplements, and modalities that help people deal with physical and emotional traumas from their past.

Symptoms of PTSD vary from one person to another, but some of the more common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, anger and aggressive outbursts, feeling tense or stressed, being easily startled, and difficulty sleeping. While these can be vague symptoms of other ailments, they're ones to pay attention to if PTSD is being considered. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might want to seek professional help or counseling. We are lucky to be living in a time when there are many opportunities and resources for assistance.


Until next month, stay healthy and happy!


Carpe diem,
  • Write about an important male influence in your life.
  • Write about an important memory from your childhood.
  • Write about any post-traumatic stress that you or a loved one is holding.
  • Write about one of your favorite male authors.
"Excavation." (poem). Aureation Zine. May 1, 2024.

"Dampened Creativity," and "Shrink Talk." (poems). The Stray Branch. Spring/Summer 2024.

"Displaced Watermelons." (poem). MockingOwl Roost: Poetry Special 2024 Issue #2. May 15, 2024.

"My Childhood Fear." (poem). Ephemeral Elegies. May 16, 2024.

Magic Realistic Lunch. (poem) HerWords. 2024.
"Interview with Teri Wellbrock: 'Hummingbird: Messages from My Ancestors'" The Healing Place Podcast. May 4, 2024.

"Interview with Beth Bonness: 'Hummingbird: Messages from My Ancestors'" Thought Echoes Podcast with Beth Bonness. May 10, 2024.
June 9-14, 2024
"Memoir: Finding the Emotional Truth of Your Story"
Santa Barbara, CA
Register here

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June 23, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
"Connecting with Your Ancestors: A Book Launch and Writing Workshop"
2923 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Register here

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August 31, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
"Crafting Your Memoir"
2594 Lillie Ave
Summerland, CA 93067
Register here

Life's Work by David Milch (memoir). This poignant memoir, written by the creator of Deadwood and NYPD, highlights the author's insatiable and energetic creative energy coupled with his ability for self-destruction from addiction. So many times Milch thought his life was coming to an end because of all his risky behaviors. Interwoven are familial issues, stemming from a troubled relationship with his physician father as he recreates in his relationship with his own children.

We are taken on a rollercoaster ride of his life where, after some sections, I found myself having to stop for deep meditative breathing exercises. He often addressed the psyche of a writer. In this context, here's an excerpt:

"As a writer, you're only halfway conscious of a lot of that stuff as you're writing, if that much, and that's as it's supposed to be. I was doing the work. I knew that work was good for me. But things find their way in, and you have to be open to it. The satisfaction of doing good work is inseparable for me from the things it makes you brave enough to do." (p. 87)

The book begins and ends with Milch coming to grips with an Alzheimer's diagnosis and sadly, finally ends with him in a memory care unit stripped of his ability to remember and create—his lifelong passions.

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