What a nice surprise to find this lovely review this morning! Debby, thanks again, and I’m so glad you enjoyed my poetry collection and found many of the poems resonating.For those of you who haven’t met Debby, she has written several books that will make you smile, laugh out loud, and grab a tissue. So I encourage you to peruse around her cozy and beautiful site. In her most recent book, Debby writes about her journey through loss. I have read many of her books and loved them, and I will start this beautiful and emotional book soon.
The beginning of Debby’s 5 Star Review for Ever So Gently:
Lauren writes beautiful and heartfelt poetry. In this book she divides the book up into sections of various types of poetry – The Wisdom of Nature, – The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones, and, – Lost in Thought. A lovely mix of story poems from nature to reflections on moment’s in life – reminiscing of poignant and tender moments, firsts, becoming a mom, reflections on life, losses, and her love for her family and pets. The imagery Scott portrays from her words are moving and many so relevant to today’s world…
To read Debby’s full review and find out which poems stood out for her, click over to her blog post from the link below:
Thank you for popping in today, and have a wonderful week ahead! 💖
We miss Copper this holiday season, but we’ll find comfort in the photos of him by the tree, wearing a Santa hat, or snoozing by the fire. If you’d like to order a copy, or know someone who would find comfort in this special collection, please click on the link. Thank you. xo
Sometimes, the road is unrecognizable – life turns slippery, a little messy, at times, a bit menacing, but whatever happens, keep your footing. The intuition that springs from your gut will know when you should accelerate or break. Trust is key, most importantly, believe in yourself. The road will continue, but the daunting will cease.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I hope this poem provides consolation to you who are struggling this holiday season. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for stopping by! ❤️
We miss Copper this holiday season, but we’ll find comfort in the photos of him by the tree, wearing a Santa hat, or snoozing by the fire. If you’d like to order a copy, or know someone who would find comfort in this special collection, please click on the link. Thank you. xo
I’m thrilled to share about Denises’s new Christmas short story collection! I read the first and loved it! So, I turn the floor over to you, Denise!
Thank you for having me on your incredible blog today, Lauren, to share the release of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. I’m extremely grateful for your support!
In “Christmas After Loss,” Shelia is a widow in her early thirties. It has been a year since Randy tragically died. He had a bad heart, the doctor told her, and at the time she didn’t question it. Later, though, in the quiet hours of the night, doubts surfaced. Still, Shelia did the best of running their diner and hoping to build their dream house. Christmas was two days away, and she just wanted to get through it, but her car wouldn’t start. She called the only person she could think of, her husband’s friend, Sam. Rescued, she trudged through her day. Alone in the diner between the lunch and dinner crowd, she gets a customer. What he tells her is alarming. This is when she finds out who she can trust.
BLURB:
Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.
Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.”She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.
EXCERPT FROM: Christmas After Loss, 1980
When Sheila was young, she believed in miracles. Life stripped away that youthful fancy the moment her thirty-two-year-old husband died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. She barely recognized the person she’d become. The glass had always been half full for her, and Sheila had been the optimist among her friends. It was what Randy loved best about her, and now, along with him, that optimism was gone.
Still, she managed to push the darkness back enough to get up every morning and face each day. Sheila had a business to run that allowed her to just cover the bills and hold onto the property and the trailer she and Randy had purchased, intending to build a house later. That and many other dreams were gone, but at least she still had Cuddles by her side.
“I know, I know. You’re hungry,” she said to the petite gray cat.
Cuddles looked at her empty bowl, and then those mesmerizing gray eyes took in Sheila.
“Daddy sure spoiled you,” Sheila said.
A grin almost crossed her face before the pain of the loss seeped back in and weighed down her expression.
The cat wound around her legs as if to agree as her bowl was filled.
Cuddles had won her husband’s heart when he found her on the side of a road as a kitten three years ago, and taking care of her brought Sheila some peace. She was still relatively new to the town, so there wasn’t anyone to lean on other than the helpful Sam, who’d bonded with Randy the first time they met. Although at times it seemed like Sam was a little too bonded, and she’d pointed that out to Randy.
Randy had grinned. “I knew guys like him in high school. Just a bit on the needy side is all. I know how to handle that, don’t worry.”
Still, Sam remained in the pest category until Randy’s passing. After losing her husband, she appreciated Sam’s support. As a thirty-two-year-old widow who owned and ran a café, she didn’t have much in common with the local women her age. Having Randy had always been enough, along with their dream property that included a well, pond, electrical hookup, septic, and a little stream surrounded by pines. The previous owner had planned to build before his health deteriorated.
“Sometimes I think this place is cursed, Cuddles. Maybe we should go back home, like my sister keeps saying. Be near friends and family. They’d spoil you too.” Sheila petted the purring cat, who was now gobbling the wet food.
The hair rose on her arms as she sensed she was being watched. Was Randy there with her? It wasn’t like she’d have to worry about a Peeping Tom in the country, right?
The phone, which Randy had finished installing right before she lost him, rang. Cuddles’s usual reaction was to puff up her fur and growl, and she did exactly that and stopped eating until Sheila answered it. She tried to keep her voice cheerful, but she knew what a call before the sun had risen meant.
I love gift giving, but I’m not a skilled gift wrapper. I’m thankful for gift bags.
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!
My 5-star review:
D.L. Finn’s wonderful storytelling isn’t new to me. Miracles & Ghosts Past is the second collection of Christmas stories with an ethereal flair. Eight stories of real-life dire circumstances grabbed my attention, and I had hoped for eight happy endings. Speaking of hope, this desire for a positive outcome, coupled with a strong belief in miracles is beautifully woven through each tale. But I also wondered if help would arrive. And in what form? After all, we’ve heard of angels, and the jolly old man with a white beard wearing a red suit, not to mention, friendly ghosts. By gifting us with this beautiful collection, D.L. Finn invites the reader “…to find your miracle not only during the holiday season but year-round.”
I immediately became immersed in each story – the characters, their perseverance, and the authentic settings. My heart ached through the challenging times and beat faster through the trepidation of not knowing what I would read at the end. Each story stirred emotions, but two favorites were “The Christmas Train Mystery” and “She’s Home Alone.”
Finn inserted the perfect quantity of suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. In the first story about the Christmas train, Rita buys train tickets to surprise her husband for their 30th wedding anniversary. Only she is the one who will be surprised by the events to come. “She’s Home Alone” evoked memories of a movie I saw years ago, so the story’s suspense affected me in the same way. Brilliant writing! An eleven-year-old girl is home alone with her imagination that goes wild. Her fright will reach the hearts of all parents.
Do you acknowledge the presence of ghosts, angels, and Santa? If your answer is ‘no’ then you will discover newfound beliefs after turning the last page. Highly recommended for you who would welcome a little Christmas magic! 💫🎄
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Thank you for stopping by to support Denise! I hope you’re enticed enough to add her book to your home library! ❤️
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Lauren Scott Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book) Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology Co-Author – This Is How We Grow Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
I’ve read some amazing books lately, and though I love writing reviews to support the talented authors, many who I consider friends, the process turns out to be slowly but surely. Well, ‘surely’ has finally arrived! I hope you enjoy this diverse group of books…
Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara is the author’s debut poetry collection, but you wouldn’t know it. Reading through this stunning gathering of poems is like strolling through an enchanted forest, which ties into Nicole’s words, “…the magic of nature’s rustle and long dreamy flights of imagination…”
Nicole takes the reader on an uplifting ride through worlds where “stairs of stars” transport into light, beauty, and joy. I was enamored by the company of “Mountains in the Sky” “Bloom and Butterfly” and “Lavender Scent.” When the last page was turned, I wondered if the sublime poetry had been a dream. No, Nicole’s poetry is real; her lyrical words prompt the reader to view the world through feel-good lenses. I had too many favorites to count, so I’m sharing a part of “What if…”
If there was a together made of forever we would beam our feelings like two pure beings
through life or through dream, a pathway of gleam on wings made of flames, of love and of games you, uttering fields, mountains and hills, me, rustling flight, restless and bright
with smiles like rays and cuddling days soft dusks like a kiss…a time full of bliss
through seconds a vision remains deeply hidden in the rain and reflections, clouds, recollections…
And a few verses from “Never-ending Song”
You live in my every streak of a star, ray by ray you revolve drawing lines into space… then you touch and you reap, meek murmur of moon you embrace
You live within my every color, I don’t understand how you throb through raw waves of light gems… but the brightness, I feel it softly rising through stems…
Gorgeous color photographs also accompany each poem, radiating richness from the first dreamy step to the last. If your heart and mind crave more soothing songs, if you need a dash of magic, let Nicole’s poetry be the stardust that transports you into a fabulous fantasy. Highly recommended for all poetry fans, and readers who will never stop dreaming.
Embracing the Power to Live by Marsha Ingrao isn’t only a poetry collection, and that in itself, would be lovely. No, Marsha includes sprinkles of faith throughout the 206 pages, along with honesty and humor. In her words, “…this isn’t a self-help book. It is a book of reflections on my life of more than seventy years, expressing the enjoyment I experience creating with words.”
This exquisite book is divided into nine sections that offer subtle life lessons, even when we’re met with challenges: Language, Love, Laughter, Learning, Listening, Listing, Locality, Leisure, and Living. Marsha embraces each with intention and encourages us to do the same. Humor plays a significant role in my life. Sometimes we need to laugh and let go of the seriousness; humor also helps soften the blow when hurdles in our plans come out of nowhere. So, “Embracing the Power of Laughter” deeply resonated. From beginning to end, I smiled, laughed, became teary-eyed, and reflected on my own personal experiences.
I also believe that a good listener makes a better friend, and I agree with Marsha’s thoughts, “When we listen, we start to understand another’s worldview or perspective.” Life isn’t only about our viewpoints. There is so much to learn if we open our minds and hearts. So “Embracing the Power to Listen” resonated as well. Speaking of viewpoints, below is a poignant example – a few verses from a poem that was inspired by the news:
A Flood from the Perspective of a Bridge
I smiled down at the stream A mere babbling brook Bounding over boulders caressing the banks with butterfly kisses
This morning, I awoke in pain My limb, useless and shattered By my dear stream gone rampant Sticks and stones breaking my bones
I lay helpless in frigid waters Pouring over my cement skin Ripping and tearing at my guardrails I cried out a warning, my voice muted by turbulence…
I could go on because there is so much to absorb and savor in Marsha’s nostalgic reflections and writings. But instead, I invite you to not only dip your toes into her poetry but let the words and lessons flow over you like cool water on a sweltering summer’s day. Highly recommended for you who appreciate subtle life lessons and beautiful poetry that evokes reflections of your life.
The Mystery of the Pink Poodle is Dawn Pisturino’s first children’s book, primarily for middle grade youth. I’m familiar with Dawn’s lovely poetry and compelling short stories, but to read her new level of skill is truly impressive. The story centers around the main character, Alina, a young girl whose parents are divorced, which is difficult enough, not to mention, their celebrity status. Her dad is a prominent mystery writer, and her mother is a glamorous movie star. She lives with her father, but because his demanding career takes up most of his time, Alina often stays with the housekeeper. All Alina wants is a normal family. But what brings her joy in the midst of her abnormal life is Muffy, her pink poodle, and everything pink!
She is aware that her father is working on his next novel. And the best way for him to get the work done is to escape to a quiet place so he can isolate himself to write. Alina has no choice but to go with him, and she doesn’t hesitate to let him know how unhappy she feels about it. They head to The Ocotillo Inn in Conrad, Arizona, which looks like an old ghost town. But contrary to Alina’s trepidation, her complaining subsides when she meets the twins, Shiloh and Billie, and their wonderful mom, Megan, who manages the inn.
She learns about the ‘crazy old lady’ who happens to be 100-year-old actress Mimi King, living as a recluse upstairs with issues of her own. But after meeting Mimi, Alina and the twins find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Alina is thrilled to have a purpose during this trip, and her excitement jumps off the pages. I also found the relationship building of Alina, the twins, and Megan to be endearing. You can’t help but root for the girl who loves pink!
Dawn’s writing is superb and pulls the reader into the mystery with enticing storytelling and interesting characters with varied personalities. For the sake of avoiding spoiler alerts, I truly enjoyed this delightful book, which took me back to reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Highly recommended for mystery fans of all ages, adults as well!
Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story by Sally Cronin is told in the voice of a handsome Collie named Sam. I fell in love with Sam from the start. My dog, Copper, crossed over the rainbow bridge earlier this year, so ‘listening’ to Sam talk about his wonderful life with his mom and dad, Sally and David, was one way for me to get my dog fix.
I learned that Sam understood the English language, along with tones and emotions in voices. He was one smart canine! In the beginning, he tells of how his home came to be with his new dog parents, living in a gorgeous house in Ireland. Sam was intuitive, feisty, and entertaining. He met many friends in the form of foxes, feral cats, and rabbits. Henry was a ginger feral cat. We don’t think dogs can befriend cats, but Sam did, and Henry was one of his best friends. But when Sally found Henry, he was lying on death’s doorstep. It was heartwarming and emotional to read how she saved his life.
Aside from making friends, Sam loved to eat, and a few dining favorites were sausage, cheese, and ice cream. When he played in the snow, he thought he was playing in one huge bowl of the cold, delicious treat! During the holidays, he kept his dog parents on their toes by getting into Christmas gifts. But he was kind enough to share his bones with David and loved cuddling with Sally on the floor. The cuddling part reminded me of when Copper and I used to share those special moments. Sam loved long walks on the beautiful beaches, feeling “sand between his toes.” I loved how Sally used to sing during car drives, and Sam loved to listen to his mom’s singing voice. Shania Twain was their favorite country singer.
When I read through this heartwarming account of Sally and David’s best friend in Sam’s voice, I had moments with tears, laughter, and cuteness overload. The photos of Sam are beyond adorable, and the family photos are so beautiful. I could feel Sally’s love for her shaggy friend in each chapter. She knew what Sam needed, what any animal needed to feel loved. So, if you’re a dog lover, cat lover, or if you have a heart for animals in general, this book is for you!
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Simple sidenote: When I enjoy a collection of poetry, my paperback turns into another dog-eared book in my bookcase. And a dog-eared book in my opinion equals five glowing stars, so each book in this post is throughly dog-eared. My reviews will also be on Amazon and Goodreads soon.
Upcoming November reviews for more wonderful books: Miracles & Ghosts Past by D.L. Finn Beyond the Fetters by Balroop Singh The Bush Devil Ate Sam by Curtis Mekemson
I hope you’ll leave with some great books in your armsor on your kindles! 🥰 Thanks for visiting my corner of blogland, and have a wonderful day! ❤️
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Lauren Scott Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book) Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology Co-Author – This Is How We Grow Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
If hope was a color, mine would be blue, struggling like a bird with a broken wing tears fill weary eyes that blur they fall with an unforgiving sting My heart imitates emotional skies unseen roadblocks disguise a silver lining Wishing is what I do well, miles between, my hell, mindset craves refining Well-being and safety are central forever and always beyond a wingspan but distance from this familiar coast – missing so much wasn’t the plan A welcoming ring brings fleeting ease the laughter, the conversation flows then words of goodbye, reluctantly and my delicate heart knows I’ve tried my best to be the best, but maybe… weakness bleeds into the role I play clock’s hands move faster without you minutes have lost their way
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Lauren Scott Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book) Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology Co-Author – This Is How We Grow Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
I remember when the pink lines on white stood out brilliantly like pink peppermint candy. Those lines said it all, spoke the truth – my life with my husband was about to change, slowly like pouring molasses. We had been married for two years, so we were ready to start a family. In less than nine months, we would receive a gift, a tiny human who would depend on us, the adults, to highlight the beauty that life offers and to protect her or him from harm.
When I thought deeply about what it would feel like to be pregnant and what was to come, the notion of pain grabbed my attention! I assumed that I had a low tolerance, but soon enough, I would learn more about my capabilities. Little did I know that in less than forty weeks, I would give birth naturally without medication, and then a second time a few years later, again without medication. I learned so much about myself.
Then my brain started working overtime, and you know what trouble that can cause. I was nervous about becoming a mom. Will I know what to do in each circumstance? Will my reactions be intuitive? What if I fail at the most important career in my opinion, being a parent?
The insecurities huddled together creating a force that couldn’t be accessed. They hurled at me like hurricane winds. Then the momentous day arrived; our baby was ready for the meet and greet. We had decided to let the gender remain concealed until we saw our precious bundle. After a 6 ½ hour labor, she entered our world with rosebud lips, and those insecurities scattered like ants.
My husband stood by the bed, comforting me in any way he could, and then he felt privileged to cut the umbilical cord. What an experience for him! It was his out-of-body moment just like giving birth to a little human was mine. In that instance of time, I became a mom, and he became a dad. New hats were immediately added to our wardrobes, along with new responsibilities. We would do our best so that our little girl would know how much her parents love her, so that she would feel safe.
Almost four years later, our family of four was complete when our son came into our world, bringing the same out-of-body experience for my husband and me. For the second time, we let the gender stay unknown. So when we saw our little boy, elation flowed through our hearts. We had a daughter and son; two tiny bundles of cuteness blessed our lives.
Looking back, watching decades soar by, flipping through memories in our photo albums remind us of how special it was to witness our daughter and son grow and learn, and turn into kind, hard working adults, making us proud a million times over. The laughs, the scary moments, the tears, even the minimal tantrums when they were young, I’d live them all over again, and so would my husband. And worrying about them doesn’t end just because they’re adults. They’ll always be our ‘babies’ regardless of their age.
The most rewarding though is the realization that we did something right because in their adulthood, we have strong relationships with them both. We’ve entered our mid-sixties, so the ‘kids’ are in their thirties. We talk and text all the time, the communication line remains open that travels in both directions. And since they live out of state, pursuing their dreams, paving their paths, we all fly east and west to visit as often as we can.
As I grow older, life seems to become shorter, so the love of my husband and children are the greatest, most priceless gifts. These three amazing people are my everything. Anything else that comes my way in the form of a blessing is a bonus.
First Breath
With every new miracle of life answers aren’t scripted in the stars, but I knew since your very first breath my life would become yours.
Through innocent eyes and curious touch each new discovery you shared, your smile grew bigger than the sun, your heart’s elation declared.
You stowed dreams in the clouds, imaginings rose higher than the heavens. Cuddling you in that first euphoric light made me fall in love with you in seconds.
Life has blossomed into delight and wonder in every part of its glowing greatness, and with each ounce of my being, my enduring love for you is ageless.
(Published in my book, Ever So Gently)
our little girl at 6 monthsour little boy at 7 months
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I took a walk down memory lane, and though this is my story and my husband’s, I hope you enjoyed the stroll.
Thanks for visiting, and have a beautiful week ahead.🩷
Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡
Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book) Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology Co-Author – This Is How We Grow Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023 Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024 Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025
I’m excited to share that my poem “Fade the Shadow” is featured on Gobblers by Masticadores! I want to offer a huge thank you, as always, to Editor, Manuela Timofte, for featuring my writing.I am grateful to have my work showcased among so many talented authors. 🙏
Fade the Shadow
The world is beautiful, proof dances all around… leaves fluttering in a breeze, butterflies floating by with grace, but the world is more beautiful with him. Even if the sky unfolds, and a storm rages, his presence adds a glow to fade the shadows and quiet the fear. If the universe has stolen my spirit and descent is imminent…
To read the full poem, please visit Gobblers by Masticadores by clicking on the link below. If you’re unfamiliar with this site, take some time to peruse. You’ll discover beautiful and profound pieces of writing from some of your friends and authors you’d like to know.
it could be a lunch at our favorite café it could be a chat, laughter, and stroll through the mall it could be sharing a morning coffee with a stunning sunrise it could be gossip on the patio it could be a Sunday dinner it could be a weekend away for mom and daughter…
but it can’t for now as long as geography gets in our way as long as circumstances dictate so I’ll continue missing her, comforting my hurting heart until the next trip in the air.
i thought i’d get used to it i thought time would heal well, time has done diddly-squat so, if i allow the distance to take up residence in my thoughts, i’ll just add one more ache to my medical records.