As we live through the COVID-19 pandemic, we see cracks in how we support our partners and loved ones. Some couples divide the work so that only one of the partners knows all the passwords. Or, where the important papers are. Or, the typical things that go wrong in the house. And, too few people …
If you live in New England, you know how long and difficult our winter has been. It’s the end of March, and it’s still cold and windy. Two days ago, we missed snow in Boston, but it was windy. 40-50 mph sustained winds. As I like to call them, “Small person warnings.” I had taught …
I went shopping with Daughter #2 this weekend. Yes, we braved the post-Christmas mall craziness. I brought my rollator so I could more easily pack water and have a place to sit. The rollator was a great idea for managing my vertigo. But there was a side effect. I seem to be invisible with my …
When I have a vertigo attack, I feel vulnerable. But I don’t feel shame. For me, there is a big difference. I feel vulnerable because I can’t find my balance, and with my vertigo attacks, I need to find a receptacle, and fast, because I vomit. See Inside a Vertigo Attack. I feel disoriented, shaky, …
We had a big Friday night. First we went to the synagogue for services. We stayed for supper and to hear Dr. Ann Lapidus Lerner discuss Yehuda Amichai’s poetry. Friday night services are Kabbalat Shabbat. The tunes are joyous, welcoming Shabbat. Services are short and intimate, with fewer people. I have trouble with services these …
Last week, Mark and I had The Talk. No, not that talk. We’re parents. We know about the birds and the bees. This talk was the “how do we live in this house when I can’t walk out the front door, or down the driveway, or take in the mail? How do I deal with …
Before I started the vertigo meds, I often got angry, depressed, scared, and upset. I still get depressed, feel overwhelmed, and cry. I do this less often now, because the meeds give me so much more control over my every day life. Even with the meds, my limitations sometimes scare me, or make me angry …
I made another mistake last week. It wasn’t a huge horrible mistake. But it was a mistake. I ordered the wrong books for PSL. I ordered Manage It! instead of Behind Closed Doors. Mark said, “No problem, you’ll just ship them home. Maybe you’ll even sell a few first.” My vertigo causes me to slow …