Author Archives: cketteler

I went up a local trail yesterday and really enjoyed the challenge.  The snow was very deep, but the trail had thankfully been packed by a snowshoer probably on the weekend and I wore my microspikes.  When I stepped off the trail to gain traction on a very steep part, I sank to my upperContinue reading “Adventure”

The winter solstice was December 21, 2022 and now the days are actually getting longer. I won’t notice this until about late January. Meanwhile, the days are cold and the sun is at a low angle. The ground and roads are frozen. In New Hampshire, any day could bring a severe winter storm. I haveContinue reading “Winter – Are you ready?”

The daffodils finished blooming, the phoebes and the hummingbirds arrived on time, and then so did the black flies and mosquitos.   Black flies and mosquitoes are the bane of country living in the northern parts of the U.S.  Everyone knows about mosquitoes, but only rural northerners experience black flies, unless you happen to visitContinue reading “Black flies”

The daffodils popped up three inches tall last week, no blooms yet, and then dastardly cold weather and snow came back after the first day of spring and the daffodils just paused, waiting. Spring is an exciting time for many people, including me.  I see, think, feel and smell the possibilities of fun in theContinue reading “Daffodils”

Fall Back – a way to remember the time change from daylight savings time to standard time. Fall – a beautiful crisp season in which the tree leaves turn colors and fall from the trees. Fall – an accident that adults dread. Fall proof – is there such a thing?   I am fairly clumsy andContinue reading “Fall Back”

Mandate broccoli. Mandate running. Mandate eight hours of sleep. I am guessing that you might disagree with some of these mandates. Broccoli might not taste good to you. You hate running or say you are unable to run. Sleep is unable to be controlled so you lay in bed awake for part of your eightContinue reading “Mandate broccoli”

I’ve been a registered nurse since 1999.  Nursing is a very interesting and flexible career. Starting out as an LPN, I cared for pediatric patients with a trach and ventilator at home.  As an RN, I started in labor and delivery because my ultimate goal was to become a nurse midwife.  However, that did not work out, soContinue reading “Nursing and Change”

I am very goal oriented. However, like many, I tend to make a quick judgment and then have to stop go back and think about my first thought or reaction. So when is thinking effective or does it become overthinking? Take a crazy “health” goal of mine from the distant past. I got it inContinue reading “Thinking or Overthinking”

Think of the simple things in life that have made you happy: sitting in the sunshine, going outside on a beautiful sunny day, holding a puppy, tasting hot bread smothered with butter, smelling your favorite flower, getting in a hot bath, scrunching your toes in sand. So is the goal to do things that makeContinue reading “What makes you happy?”