When religion isn’t the answer — My partner works in a local Baptist church running sound for their services and events. They found him during the pandemic when they needed a consult and he’s been their sound guy since. While he may not be of their faith, he’s certainly found a community within their walls. Like…

Riding 50 days into 2023 — It’s been 50 days since I’ve written. It feels longer, but it was just a few days after New Year's when my mom texted me they were admitting her to the hospital. It was just before 4 p.m. on a Friday, I was setting up the new Keurig and about…

A physical and emotional journey toward wellness — It was just a year ago that I piled into the car in the early morning hours of December 28, 2022, and headed to Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia to undergo a lumbar fusion. …

But knowing you really belong in economy — Recently, I wrote about the three things that kicked off my holiday season. Slam, Bam, and Crashing into the Holidays Three things that rang in my holiday seasonnikkibarr.medium.com One thing was upgrading my partner and myself to First Class on our flight from Philadelphia to Detroit. It stands out because it isn’t something I would usually ever do. …

And, why does Joe Biden want to talk to me? — Somehow I thought that when the November 2022 election was over, the spam emails from every politician in contention, their supporting cast, and anyone else my data was sold to would stop. I was wrong. For most of December, it seems President Joe Biden has been desperate to speak with…

Three things that rang in my holiday season — My lovely Medium writer friend, Jill Ebstein put out a little challenge in a not so recent post (I’m behind) asking what three things will start the holiday season. Mary Oliver Strikes Again Her words are simply the best, but can we do it?medium.com My response was a broken tree, sparkles in the rain, and an upgrade to first class, which I promised myself I…

Travelogue, part 4: The return home — On Monday, my mom had the sniffles and wasn’t feeling great. Thinking it was just the flu, and having never lost her COVID cough from January, no one thought anything else. Then dad woke up sick on Tuesday. I bought a round of tests. …

Travelogue, part 3: The streets of Cheboygan feel empty My hometown is a small, rural place in the northern point of Michigan’s lower peninsula. If you hold your palm up to make the Michigan map — we are on the edge of the middle finger. …

Travelogue, part 2: Pass the vodka, please — Sleeping in a hotel is never something I do well. So, when I wake well before my alarm, and the hotel breakfast that I won’t eat but like to assess and make judgments about. I toss my toiletries into the overnight bag and throw on a clean t-shirt. …