(Formerly Minerva’s Manor)

musings about my universe.

Recent posts

A Change of Seasons – part 2

In the first blog post, I discussed, at length, the events leading up to, and during Rosh Hashanah. As Paul Harvey used to say, “and now, for the rest of the story:…” Yesterday was a banner day, insofar as I entered my mother’s house for the first time in probably 15 years. But, let me…

A Change of Seasons – part 1

I’ve been very cerebral since September started. While Fall is my favorite season, it also brings with it the promise of change, and, in a way, of death. I was unaware of how profound that feeling would be this year. As I start my planning for this year’s “on-demand” (from the matriarch) Rosh Hashanah dinner,…

My Failure of Inaction: The Circle of Life Can Bite Me

Summer is always a lovely time for me. Not because of the warm, sunny days (I am very sun sensitive) or the break from the 9-5 (I still work), but because, every May, my husband and open our seasonal RV in a tranquil spot on a salt marsh in Maine. There are seemingly endless positive…

Harmonizing in 2021

We made it! 2021 is in the rear view mirror, and we are eyes-forward, yes? I think there are some important lessons I took away from 2020: There is immense power in human connection I was given a gift of togetherness with my husband that I may never have again Technology is vital to moving…

Stuck in the Middle

It’s been ages since I’ve felt the urge to write. And I’ve felt pretty guilty about it. But with the world being what it is, I felt like my thoughts: my woes and realizations, observations, were somehow insignificant compared to the severity of the issues at hand: racism, the media circus of government, the pandemic.…

Ritual vs Routine: Pathways to Mindfulness

Sunday morning started as it does every week: I wake up, let the dog out, meditate, boil water, and start arranging my tea tray. Tea pot and cup, honey, scoop of Earl Grey into the pot, spoon. I come downstairs and set up my first cup of tea, dipping the tip of the spoon into…

The Most Magical Movie of All- and it’s not what you would expect.

The 1979 movie adaptation of the musical “Hair” may be, in my opinion, one of the most profound and amazing movies ever made. It has left a lasting impression on me, and never fails to trigger joy and heartbreak every time I see it or hear songs from it. I was ten years old when…

Music: Medicine and Connection

I recently had a conversation with a few of my friends, and we realized that we all had something in common that we previously didn’t know of: we all felt that music was one of the most important facets of ours lives; in its power to lift our mood, create a sense of focus or…

And now for something completely different- or is it?

If you have been following this blog, you know that, for the past few years, I have felt myself slowly shifting. In an attempt to honor this shift, while not fully understanding it, I’ve made tiny micro-changes to my daily rituals, changes that feel right, while not feeling overwhelming. It started with meditation. I have…

Gratitude Video Series #5: Dan Sulger

I thought, once I had my “video legs” beneath me on this gratitude series, I would avoid an ugly cry on video. Not my luck. For some of us, we are lucky enough to have a person come into our lives who would, literally, give the shirt off his back. In this case, this guy…