Jo Toale

Advice to Myself I try to tame my wiry hair by running my shaking hand through it.  There’s no way to make sense of this mop.  Truthfully, I stopped trying a long tim […]

I Won't Bring My Black Dress My phone rang at 2:20am.  I had been working late, and just went to bed a half hour earlier.  My phone was in the kitchen as the ring tone repeatedly b […]

Sip Sip Knit I take notice of the different stitches that make up my sweater.  A rib stitch, garter, and purls.  I like to look at how things are made.  I want to […]

Beth I was having trouble keeping up with him.  His gate was long and determined the way he plodded and leaned forward into the wind.  It was dark and f […]

Thank You Kip I leaned across the table to grab his hand.  He had just told us another wonderful Tyke story and my heart was both melting and alive.  How precious t […]

The F Word Faith is a deep, devoted belief in something that can, often, be intangible.  In religion faith is the foundation of everything.  There is no proof t […]

An Accidental Guest I returned home after my early routine swim at the gym as the gray muted dawn was turning to daylight.  Although the leaves haven’t turned colors ye […]

Sink or Swim 5:50am.  I struggle to catch my breath when I reach the edge.  Lifting my head out of the water on the final stroke, I swallow a small amount of w […]

Queer Eye I’ve never been much of a social person.  In fact, being in the “out” crowd is perhaps where I belong.  I’ve been called weird and strange s […]

The Craftsmen style porch is solid and new with the signature Cape Cod shakes on the outside and fresh white trim. Rocking chairs as well as overstuffed chairs line the inside making it an extension of this […]

What can I say about JP?  Well, let me introduce you to one of the most admired persons in my life.  He is not only kind, considerate and loving, but he has overcome obstacles of which many of us have never e […]

My attention span is short at best.  Like a dog, if I see a squirrel, I immediately divert my energy.  I find myself scrolling through Facebook and all the “squirrels” have me bouncing around.  I’m noticing […]

I stood in the back of the church, tucked behind the side of the windows that look out to the pews.  The flower girls and maids of honor had stepped forward and paced their steps down the aisle to the music.  L […]

I believe that I’ve found my prince charming.  I kissed a lot of frogs to get here.  I’m now with someone I never thought would happen to me.  We are in sync as we step through the challenges of our life togeth […]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ice crashes into the glass, soon to be submerged with my thoughts.  Drown it al […]

The blank page is intimidating.  The hollow compliment is confusing.  The echo of doubt is disturbing. How can we follow a path with obstacles or contempt?  Jealousy, ego and loathing can block good in […]