I have been in a slump. I've hardly written a creative word since April (NaPoWriMo, so hard, didn't think I'd get through it). My creative flow gets blocked when I have to extend extra mental effort into survival. Maslow's hierarchy of needs - true that. As a full-time live-in caregiver to my elderly parents, I define my survival as safe, healthy, happy, functioning of the household. This means that my parents medical conditions are stable, I am able to accomplish the daily n

Hello Reader. I realize I am all off schedule here. It seems I am riding in the back seat of my own life at this time. Ironically, the person driving is a small woman who has not actually driven a car in many years. She is, in fact, a vociferous back seat driver. The problem is, she is old, and in poor health, and I owe her my life. You see, she gave my life to me. She is my mother. The fact that I love her does not make the situation easier. Indeed, quite the opposite. In or