In these times of continued uncertainty, let us all use our words, raise our voices, sing our many and varied songs, write our stories, read the stories of others. And let us listen as well.

July 31, 1990–I wrote the first words in one of seven journals I would write on my year-long solo trip around the world.

June 16, 2016–I wrote the first words in one of ten spiral-bound notebooks I would write on my seven-year journey to publication of my memoir, When Your Heart Says Go–My Year of Traveling Beyond Loss and Loneliness.


Seeing the two halves of the peach on my cutting board, the stone broken open and the pit exposed, made me think how the peach is like our stories.

Just outside my door and down the stairs, following the path around the corner to the far, far back yard: the Fig Tree.

I’ve started a new writing project, one based on a journey I took many years ago. It was a long journey: seven months, and a challenging one. I’d sold pretty much everything of value I owned—business, home, car—bought an around-the-world airline ticket and set off with little more than one suitcase and a handful of plans.