It's July 1st, which means that half of this calendar year is gone. Unfortunately it's been little more than a numbing blur of work, but I'm currently halfway through a brief vacation, and am starting to regain some feeling. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you may be noticing this recurring theme. In… Continue reading Half-life
Happy new year, happy new everything. I've got a new, freshly cracked open journal, a clear set of intentions and practices for the year, and my brain is downright buzzing with things I want to dump on you write and talk with you about. But before I do, a little clearing of my mental shelves… Continue reading Shelf space
When I set my intentions for 2020 at the end of last year, cultivating more tranquility was at the center of all of my plans: figuring out how to slow down, pay more attention, and enjoy the gifts of my good and simple life. It goes without saying that this year has been pure chaos,… Continue reading Upside down
I've been trying, with limited success, to include a quarterly reading update here on the blog. In real life, talking with people about what they've read recently is one of my favorite ways of connecting, and I hope that my evolving reading habits over the course of a year - and over the years -… Continue reading The birds and the trees
So yeah, it's the middle of autumn. But since we're experiencing our now-standard late-October "peak summer" weather here in San Diego, it feels like as good a time as any for a quick update on my summer reading list. I love the idea of "summer reading," although it's not something that I actually do. I… Continue reading Summer time in fall
I've long supported the idea that an essential component of living well is keeping death close, a part of our daily experiences. My hope is that by talking often and openly about illness, decline, and dying, I'm preparing myself and those I care about in practical, emotional, and spiritual ways for the unknown path that… Continue reading The Art of Dying Well
In my role as a health educator, I deal on a near-daily basis with claims of treatment and cure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. I see the range of emotions that people experience upon receiving a new diagnosis: worry and uncertainty, but also optimism and hope. And I know the deep fear that many… Continue reading Quacks or facts?
It's June, which means the jacaranda are blooming, and San Diego is awash in purple flowers. And it's the time of year when many in my field don some purple of their own in recognition of Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. I've never liked the use of the term "brain awareness," because I think most of us… Continue reading Purple hearts
brain dump 