It was unique for us because prior to 1985/6 the neighborhood was quiet and peaceful—so my friends and I (GenX) lived in both of those worlds. It's difficult to imagine a single drug (crack cocaine) could

Thank you! I didn't have it that bad during childhood. I'd say 80% of the time it was just like any other middle-class childhood in that time period. Sometimes we found ourselves in dangerous situations

The thing about Columbus is the danger/violence is pretty well concentrated within certain neighborhoods. If you're in the Dublin/Worthington area or many other neighborhoods throughout the city you'd

That's so true, Nancy! You have to do the work and can't expect others to do it for you. We were lucky because our neighborhood didn't start to turn bad until around 1985 and then it continued its decline

I think it's really all about the quality of the choices you make. Starting fresh made that aspect easier. I'm very grateful for that second chance.

Oh man, it looks like I have some research to do! I don't remember that one. : )

The pizza and beer look and sound incredible. What a time to be a beer drinker! We're lucky around there to have quite a few microbreweries. Some really good ones have closed since the pandemic but we

I love how this opens—the convergence with the wise elders. It reminds me of how modern society hides our elders in the corner, almost like we're afraid of what their wisdom will have to tell us. Great

Whoa, now that's a powerful piece! She's there all the time, isn't she? We just need to have the courage to see her and stop pretending like we don't. I feel like in the real world, Kali is akin to truth—no

Yes! And the laser weapons system and smoke screen will be a whole lot of fun! I might actually need those when driving in St. Paul.

BMW is further ahead than I thought! I think Mercedes' owners still need to go to the dealership for every update. How do you like the X5 otherwise?

Yes, some of the updates make it feel like a brand new car. It's pretty impressive. My '22 car is among the oldest in the Tesla fleet to be getting Grok because older cars don't have chips capable of running

Thank you! Oh yeah, there are definitely a few small sparks starting there. : ) We'll have to see where it leads.

It definitely sounds like we're on the same page! I remember my Aunt saying the same thing about the mirror. It's kind of reassuring to me that she said she still felt good in her 80's. Twenty-five years

What a fabulous poem and post. What is beginning to strike me at the phase of life I'm in now (54) is that everything in life has its season. Many of the things we waste time fearing we learn to accept

What a cool visual you describe! I feel like we're complete beings when we're born but living life gives us so many trials and lessons that give us opportunities to become better. Thank you Nancy! I hope

Thank you my friend! I hope you enjoy yours as well!

I can see how that could happen in that environment. As and adult, I've learned to trust people more who don't guard their speech quite as much. People who measure each and every word are usually hiding

Wow, it sounds like the Romanians take swearing seriously! Lol. Swearing had its time and place here in America (maybe because of our Puritan roots?) when I was a child in the 70's. It was something men

I'm a firm believer that, if we're truly writing from our souls, it's the most intimate thing we can do. The reader, instinctively, knows "it" when they read and that's what draws them to the