Happy New Year Lovely, Ready or not, January is here again and our journey into 2017 begins. Since my name is Jan (shortened from Janice many years ago because I always thought Janice sounded like somebody’s mother), I feel like everyone’s talking about me when they use this abbreviation. However Jan./January was actually named after
Hello There, January! Read More »
Dear Gifted Woman, This is truly the Season of Giving. Our escalated motivation for giving might comes from the millions of twinkling lights we see around us, or memories evoked from hearing traditional holiday music, the gift of the Christ child, or maybe through Santa’s magical way of giving us what we want. No matter what is true for you, it’s a
The Magic Giving Circle Read More »
Dear Wonderful Woman, Women know friendship. I bet you have at least one special friend you run to whenever you need to process the world during times when life seems to be spinning out of control. It’s like a healing balm for gray days. It’s helpful to sit with a friend and a cup of coffee (or with a
Your New Story-New Perspective Read More »
Dear Wise Woman, Today’s guest writer is someone I have admired for a long time. Carol and I were in the same cadre at Prairiewoods (a Franciscan Retreat Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) as we worked to get our masters degrees in servant-leadership. She’s is a retired bank examiner and now, among other hobbies, a
Finding Yourself in the Swamp-Carol’s Voice Read More »
Dear Single Woman, I’m writing because you told me you’re ready to check-out internet dating. Sounds like it’s time for companionship! This is not only my perspective but also the thoughts of others. First of all, I’m so happy you have taken the time to heal—at least somewhat—from the loss of your former relationship. No
Shopping for Mr. Right or Mr. Right-Now Read More »
Dear Cool Woman, I love technology! It’s great to receive an email, text, Facebook announcement, or voice mail from a friend who’s far away. Life is busy and we have so many new ways to communicate, and yet… When I’m sitting right in front of a friend, and see her face, I feel as if I’ve
The Precious Face of A Friend Read More »
Dear very cool woman, The story of YOUR life is a treasure. Even if you feel you have no special stories to tell—trust me—the lessons and experiences you’ve had over the past decades, both great and small, are golden. It’s all a matter of unpacking what’s there: the good the bad and the funny. Our memories are
Your Life is a Treasure Read More »
Dear Beauty, I’m writing to you from Harmony. Not harmony, the state of being, but Harmony the town in Minnesota. I wasn’t born here, but most memories of my youth took place within a fifty mile radius of this place. Last Friday night we watched the movie Sully at Jem Theater on Main Street. As
Place Holds Memory Read More »
Dear lovely woman, Every now and then I think about being young again. And I follow that thought with,  but only if I can know what I know now. I don’t want to give up the wisdom I’ve accumulated over the years—over six decades if I’m honest; just the physical wear-and-tear on my body and my ego. It seems
Experience + Reflection = Wisdom Read More »
