SurvivingSara

Category: Uncategorized

  • Words of the Year: Demure Brat?

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    Sara Z
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    I thought I knew what a brat is. That word’s been used as long as I’ve understood English to describe unruly children or those whose life has frequently been uprooted moving from base to base. It was also the name of an odd little truck-like vehicle, which is being revived. Collins Dictionary has declared “brat” —…

  • Welcome to the Hotel California

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    Sara Z
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    On a snowy night in winter of 1976, my family gathered around in the living room of our brick-red house on Country Homes Boulevard to listen to the latest album by the Eagles. As the youngest, I sat on the lime-green shag carpet. The last album I’d been excited about was The Bay City Rollers…

  • There’s That River in Egypt Again

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    Sara Z
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    Do you take return trips to places you’ve visited in the past? I seem to be drawn to long cruises on the River Nile. It is beautiful. Problem is, I don’t even know I’ve been on the water alone until a friend or counselor lets me know it’s time to disembark. Good news is this…

  • This is US?

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    Sara Z
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    Each election is an opportunity to endorse your values by voting for the candidate who is most aligned. My takeaways from yesterday include the baring of the American soul as it lives and breathes these days. I was so wrong about the true character of “the land of the free and the home of the…

  • In Case You’re Wondering

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    Sara Z
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    What to Do If You Accidentally Brushed Your Teeth With Hydrocortisone In my medicine cabinet, stacked in a small, white, wire basket, I keep tube stuff – you know, antibiotic, eczema, and topical steriod creams as well as a travel-size tube of toothpaste. Regularly, I use an extra-flouride paste from the dentist and it’s also…

  • About Puce, Am I The Only One?

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    Sara Z
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    “The origins of the color puce are somewhat disputed, but it is generally believed to have originated in the 18th century. At that time, the color was extracted from the bodies of fleas, which were then mixed with other pigments to create a rich, dark hue. This method of making puce was highly labor-intensive and…

  • The Life-Changing to The Petty

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    Sara Z
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    Trigger warning: whining Lord, grant me the grace to accept things I must, the strength to tolerate events and people I’d rather not, and infinite mercy to hold my tongue and smile instead of releasing the snark. My life feels small. I understand that most people don’t have lives that have unfolded as planned. Life…

  • Having A Birthday

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    Sara Z
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    Six decades. Not gonna lie, freaking out a bit. In a blink of an eye, I’m old. Oh, I know it’s the new 50 and 50 is the new 40 – is that still a thing? I know I’m old because I remember being 20, 30, and even 40, thinking 60 is old. When I…

  • And Away We Go

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    Sara Z
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    Written October 8, 2023 We are at the beach. This is the view from the little cabin we rented. This morning, when I just got up and sat down in the wonderful chairs provided, there were whales! Five gray whales hung out for at least half an hour before two swam off. Three stayed for…

  • FREEDOM

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    Sara Z
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    Sitting in my backyard hot tub this morning, a flashy magpie’s bright white body caught my eye, very high up in one of a neighbor’s pinetrees, as the bird hopped in a circle, flashing its beautiful black and blue wings and tailfeathers while making a fair amount of noise. Next to it, in a branch…

  • Losers & Suckers

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    Sara Z
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    Asking that future military photo ops not include the wounded, canceling a visit to veterans’ graves in France due to bad weather while other leaders attended, proudly and smugly stating Senator John McCain was “only a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,” disparaging a Gold Star family because they…

  • Throwing in the Towel

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    Sara Z
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    Despite starting 12 posts in the last few months, I’ve been unable to finish and post any. I’m giving myself permission to write a short missive, so I can complete something. One symptom of fibromyalgia is “brain fog,” during which times concentration, word finding, processing information, etc. take a break. They’re just not there and…

  • Misogyny Thy Name is GOP

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    Sara Z
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    THINGS TRUMP HAS SAID ABOUT WOMEN: WHY WASN’T TRUMP FOUND LIABLE FOR RAPE: The distinction in law is about penetration. There was no solid evidence that he penetrated E. Jean Carroll with his penis. So what we know that he has been found liable for is touching, grabbing, groping for his own sexual pleasure against…

  • Van Gogh Immersion

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    Sara Z
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    As soon as I saw the advertisement for the Van Gogh Immersion Experience, I bought tickets. I really enjoy seeing art installations, and this one was ending soon. When my husband asked what it was, I told him it’s like being in Van Gogh’s paintings. The beginning part of the museum taught about the life…

  • Easy as 1-2-3

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    Sara Z
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    How many times have people with fibromyalgia or other chronic, invisible illnesses been told that feeling better is just down to a better outlook on themselves and life? Explaining the complexities involved in fibro is perceived as whining, exactly what they’re talking about! So, I’ve decided to test the theory. Can ignoring, dismissing, and love-bombing…

  • I Didn’t Even Buy a Ticket

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    Sara Z
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    Well, I’ve been on quite a ride this winter/spring, and I didn’t have to wait in line. It’s not one I recommend. I am really tired of rollercoasters, and this one had only downhill twists and turns with just a short flattening between. I’ve been alternatively nauseous, scared, and screaming. My mom’s health declined rapidly…

  • To-Do List

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    Sara Z
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    It’s been a very difficult week with terrible fibromyalgia pain in my back, chest, and ribs as well as serious brain fog. I find I don’t have extra. Extra anything. Hopefully this to-do list will help me through some days. I hope this next week presents something pleasing for you.

  • Still Sara

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    Sara Z
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    Sara wore this get-up on her family’s early morning flight into LAX, knowing she’d be rocking it for the lunch stop at Venice Beach. Her favorite pants a friend had given her following a trip to Thailand were the perfect pairing for the Harry Perry t-shirt to see the rollerblading, guitar-playing, singer again. If you’ve…

  • A Mother of a Summer

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    Sara Z
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    Daylight savings time in a northern state makes for long days. When I get up in the ‘night’ to use the bathroom, the sun is peeking, and the birds are telling each other “good morning;” and, well, you know what they say about those early birds. Once my eyes open at 5-6 a.m., my brain…

  • I Surrender

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    Sara Z
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    As the mom of two sons and no daughters, I now officially give up on Mother’s Day. I’ve been waiting for an unexpected, sweet celebration for 26 years. I’m a slow learner. In the early years, I was so excited! Would there be flowers? An outing as a family? It went without saying that my…