• Relationships Take Work

    The Sound of Silence

    Early in our relationship, I often gave my husband The Silent Treatment when angry or hurt. My passive-aggressive versus Bobby’s assertive communication style confused, angered, and wounded him. And he was having none of it! He would sit right in front of me and not leave until we talked the issue out. I wasn’t used to that kind of forward-facing communication, it made me uncomfortable, and in those early moments, I thought he was a bully. I shake my head now, remembering those interactions. Me, arms crossed and pouting while doing Cirque du Soleil-like contortions to avoid looking at him. Him putting his face directly into mine and repeatedly asking…

  • Relationships Take Work

    Many Waters Cannot Quench Love

    Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. You’ve heard that, right? A man named Solomon wrote it in about 10th-century bc. Solomon was a king of the United Kingdom of Israel. He was and still is known for his great wisdom. His father was King David. You know – David from the David and Goliath story? Some family, huh? This poem is in the book Song of Solomon in the Bible and is interpreted in many ways. One way is that romantic love is invincible, and we can’t give up. But those of us who’ve been battered by love may see these as nothing but pretty words.…

  • Relationships Take Work

    Rocky Road

    June 2nd, 2021 is Rocky Road Day. Who knew? And who comes up with these things? But am I going to complain about a day dedicated to the eating of Rocky Road desserts? That would be a no. All the no’s!  The Rocky Road dessert was first created in Australia in 1853 and referenced the rocky road travelers used to access the goldfields. The dessert was made of chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows and looked like a bumpy road filled with rocks and potholes. Later came the ice cream. Yum. What a great way to turn a rocky road around, right? Sometimes we encounter a rocky road in our love relationship.…

  • Relationships Take Work

    Waste Time Wisely

    If you’re me, sometimes you feel guilty because of all the tasks you haven’t completed. Then, I’m reminded that it’s good – no, right – to waste time wisely. A few weeks ago, I was on a conference call discussing the software, KRONOS. One attendee was from Greece, and just like the way Italian chef, Giada De Laurentiis, says the word “spaghetti,” I could tell KRONOS was a Greek word just by the way it rolled off his tongue. So, being the nosy sort, and because, well, it was a conference call, I googled it. There are two Greek words about time. Chronos measures time by the clock. It’s quantitative, measured…