In a time when our government is tearing apart families because of the color of their skin and prosecuting people because of the political party they belong to, we need to hold each other close and build community.

I've fallen into the trash panda handmade holidays. If I can't use it for it's original purpose anymore but I can keep it out of a landfill I'm making decorations or gifts out of it. All of these involved hot glue, bamboo toilet paper tubes (they are nicer than regular ones) and fabric scraps, broken ornament scraps, or cardboard scraps. I even used some parfait jars!

This year let's prove we don't need them. Make it, Thrift it, or support a small business. The QR codes in the first image will take you to Denver resources for all those options. We don't have to keep living this way.

Nearly 20 years into the onset of my disease I feel accomplished to be here. It's been a long, difficult road with pain my most stalwart companion. However, as I enter the second half of my life I want to remember some of my most important lessons from the first half. Spend time with the people you love when you can.

It has become my motto. Literally. My legs are starting to wobble a bit, the feeling in them uncertain and my faith in them wavering. So with an aim to increasing their strength I am walking. Rather a lot. I have started mapping the Little Free Libraries within 30-45 minutes (on foot) from my house. Four to five days a week I load up a backpack with books we no longer want, clip on my leash belt, a water bottle for me, a water bottle for the dogs, a treat bag for the dogs, and lastly, Bear and Penny.

Once upon a time I taught Environmental Law at the Community College. My students were often surprised to learn that “saving the planet” isn’t about protecting endangered species and cleaning the air and water for the sake of the planet but instead is about keeping the Earth habitable for human life. I am often surprised at how many humans aren’t interested in keeping our home habitable for humans.

As someone who routinely has to give significantly less than 100% I have a tendency to give more than on should on the days I feel good. While I am aware that giving too much on good days contributes to being worse off on bad days, I seem to be unable to stop myself.

Horace on the Night Shift - MMorehead. a sharp hook in the gillsI know how it feelsthe pinching, the pulling, of impatient reels. from the comfort of hometo be viciously shookby the violent tugging of an invisible hook. Just swimming alongminding my ownwhen from nowhere I know comes a yanking so strong. in incredible pain…

No one told me there would be so much to miss as I grew older, had children, moved on with life's natural stages. Granted, as someone with a disability that came later in life I have some additional things I miss that others may not but I expect to miss those. Like I expect to miss my Dad, or friends who've died.

if your body is convinced the world is trying to kill you all the time. I am more than 16 years into my chronic pain journey. In that 16 years I haven't gone a day without a headache or pain somewhere in my body, usually both. I've spent a fortune visiting the country's most knowledgable doctors, having the most in depth tests, and trying the most outlandish treatments.

is the best description for life with a chronic illness. Sometimes it feels impossible to live inside this body. It's as though I am built out of a house of cards and the slightest puff of air can send me spiraling apart. Every day I have to balance environment, medication, diet, exercise, mood, rest, etc. in order to minimize my pain and maximize my health.

It's not as though I can just get up and do all these things feeling this way. Have you ever managed to go about your daily life with a rhinoceros on your head?

Pets make the best PT's! Adopting from a rescue saves a life but in my case, the saving goes both ways. Chronic pain and chronic illness is isolating, depressing, and scary. Having soft, warm, loving creatures who just want to be with, on, or around you can be the difference between a fighting spirit and despair. My team of furry Physical Therapists keep me fighting fit.

It's been a horrible couple of months for those of us with pressure sensitive chronic pain issues. The daily pain levels I live with have been significantly higher than normal and while I am not making a plan or seeking end of life measures I do - at times - fantasize about Wile E. Coyote dropping an anvil on my head so I don't have to do this shit anymore.

They can't erase everything we write. Keep the ink flowing. Spread information. We are not alone.

YouTube video by Misty Ewegen (Savvy Spoonie)

TikTok video by Savvy Spoonie

TikTok video by Savvy Spoonie

TikTok video by Savvy Spoonie