How underdogs chase progress not perfection — “Are you just learning to swim?” That’s what a stranger asked me while I was joyfully swimming in the Pacific Ocean. I laughed and replied. “Oh — am I that bad?” I told him I’d been practicing open water swimming regularly for the past two years and I was surprised…

The power of grit vs. the poison of envy — She’s ripped, strong, and gorgeous — and I was raging with envy. “Wow — she looks amazing for her age. There’s no way we could look like that.” My friend, “The Doubter,” said this to me a few years ago at Christmastime in response to a photo I’d shown her…

Cooking Challenge (#25 Cauliflower Curry Soup) “I can’t believe I cooked it!” — For my 2022 Cooking Challenge last year, I completed my challenge and made 24 food dishes I’d never cooked before). As a result, I aim to continue to post any new recipes I cook in 2023 to keep an ongoing record of my cooking experiences and recipes. This is dish…

February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Love & Hearts” — Thinking with head within my heart. We’re open for submissions and invite you to submit to the February Monthly Challenge ‘Heart & Love” led by Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Love & Hearts: February Prompt February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Love & Hearts”medium.com With gratitude to Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Sandi Parsons, my brilliant co-editors, for helping with submissions this month.

Fitness Bit #4 | How many f*cking more days? — Fitness Bit #4: My 9-Day Fitness Challenge In my last Fitness Bit #3 , I announced my 9-Day Fitness Challenge aka “No Cookies” plan. No junk food. (Even if the bitch offers me cookies.) Drink two liters of water daily, Walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day. No food past dinnertime. For 9 consecutive days. I…

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride” — Three writers together in snow spirit. I figure that Sandi Parsons doesn’t get much snow in Australia, and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles has never seen snow in India, so I’m sending them some snow letters I carved on a beach in Canada. Thank you both, my lovelies, for being my co-editors and playing a part in…

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride” — Canada — we party and save loonies! You can tell it’s winter in Canada by how wrinkled my summer tank top is. Can’t wait to wear this when the weather gets hot! Got it for just a few loonies aka our Canadian dollar coins featuring the loon on one side and the late Queen Elizabeth II on…

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride” — Met this dude at the top. We’re open for submissions and invite you to submit to the January Monthly Challenge “Hometown Pride” led by Sandi Parsons. Hometown Pride: January Prompt January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride”medium.com With gratitude to Sandi Parsons and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, my awesome co-editors, for helping with submissions this month.

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride” — Kick off the shoes, shades. Swim! Not everyone likes to swim throughout all seasons, like me. Vancouver’s Pacific Ocean, lakes, and swimming holes can get chilly even during the summer. But on a warm sunny day like this, it’s one of the best ways to spend an afternoon on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada. …