The Only Child Diaries Podcast

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Grief finds its own way sometimes. As I find myself at the one year anniversary of losing my beloved horse Dallas, the day culminated with several other losses and calamities that left me feeling DONE for the day. This episode takes you through the reality of what happens when the universe decides to "pile it all on" during an already difficult day. I should have just stayed home!
What began as a simple commemoration quickly snowballed into a week of collective sadness—friends losing jobs, a brother-in-law putting his dog down on his birthday, and even a chance encounter with a grieving widow that left us both in tears. Sometimes the kindest gestures (like unexpected flowers from a new friend) can unleash the emotions we're trying so hard to contain.
When even my attempt at comfort-movie escapism was thwarted by a power outage, I found myself where I often do during life's hardest moments: in my garden. Despite the weeds thriving after recent rains, this "last bastion of hope" provided the healing space I needed. I share the small victory of finally adding a fountain to my backyard sanctuary—proof that even on our darkest days, we can create pockets of beauty and peace.
Perhaps the most important takeaway from this vulnerable episode is permission to honor your melancholy days. As I discover again and again, sometimes you need to respect your grief before you can move beyond it. While I promise to return with more uplifting content next week, I hope this raw conversation reminds you that it's perfectly okay not to be your "usual joyful self" when navigating life's difficult anniversaries and unexpected emotional storms.
Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast and join me next week as we continue exploring the art of adulting with humor and light—even when we need to acknowledge the shadows first.

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This week I'm giving an update on how I'm managing and navigating my grief over losing Dallas, my horse. It's been another rough week. Not that the grief isn't hard enough, but our cat Bubbie needed to be rushed to the emergency vet. This would be hard enough emotionally but I didn't realize how much of a trigger it would be for me. Waiting to talk to the vet I just lost it. And it turns out I was so distracted by not only the grief around Dallas but the worry about Bubbie I guess that I ended up tripping and falling in the parking lot. Another example of how grief can cause distraction. I realize my head has been somewhere else. Hard to concentrate. Unfortunately this time my body suffered the pain because of it.
I've continued to try to find comfort in all things familiar. Sometimes, the most mundane things, like an episode of "I Love Lucy" or planting a new plant, digging in the soil, becomes something of an unexpected life rafts. Being outside with nature is somewhat comforting. Is that because Dallas lived outside too?
At the same time, I have a couple of friends going through just horrible challenges right now. My heart hurts for them. I'm thought of my friend Gina so much. Why do I miss her more now than any other time? Because she was so good at providing comfort when there was loss. So good at providing solace when I was hurting. Through my own pain, I recognize the hole she left behind even more now.
This episode isn't just about sharing my story—it's a beacon for anyone adrift in their own sea of loss, a reminder that, though these waters are tumultuous, none of us need to sail them alone.
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As I navigate the beginning of my life - our lives - without our beloved horse Dallas, I share a couple of the heart wrenching experiences from this past week. There is solace I suppose in rituals that ease the burden of grief, or at least help you navigate the world. His stall at the barn is now a tribute to him, with flowers and heartfelt notes, each message a testament to the love Dallas inspired. Then there are his ashes, that are finally back with us at home. There's some comfort in that. Through it all, our loyal dog, Brownie, and the unexpected refuge found in a new part-time job, offer moments of peace amidst the sorrow.
Navigating the tumultuous seas of loss requires a compass of self-care, a theme explored in this week's conversation. I unveil the steps I've taken to maintain a sense of balance—hydrating, walking with Brownie, eating healthily, and embracing rest. This episode is not just my journey; it's an open door for you, the listener, as we walk this path together. Join us as we share in the collective experience of grief, finding strength in the messages of support from our community and discovering a wellspring of hope that guides us toward next week's update. Grief is always a part of life.
For the Only Child Diaries:
Check us out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/onlychilddiariespodcast/
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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/onlychilddiaries/
and
now on Threads
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Vegas stories, Part 2! This week, you'll hear the details about our wedding. After 17 1/2 years together, Bill and I finally decided to get hitched 12 years ago, in VEGAS! And we got married at the Excalibur Hotel. Just go up to the food court, past the Pizza Hut Express! That's funny by itself, but the wedding chapel was quiet and peaceful, believe it or not.
We've had our share of crazy times, but driving out to Ed Roman's former repair shop and showroom of guitars was an experience. It was isolated. So isolated that the smatterings of buildings out in the desert, surrounded by different vehicles, RVs and motorcycles made us think twice about where we were. I thought we would be shot as intruders any minute! We didn't just see the guitars, we saw a gun!
And then there are the shows! So many great shows we've seen over the years. Wow. Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and before I met Bill, Cirque du Soleil and David Cassidy. Here's a link to info about that iconic show.

http://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TheatrePages/EFX.html

And then there are some of the very talented bands that we've seen over the years, including In-A-Fect.

https://inafect.com/?fbclid=IwAR00AXBlv6Z5dsfCKOJvC8ujvbs7T5syAPJRgidZA67obkj4iZ6F0jNItiY

And the incomparable Larry White.

https://inafect.com/larry

And don't forget the misadventures of driving 300 miles through the desert. There are a lot of stories I could tell about that, but our Baker breakdown and subsequent stay at the Royal Hawaiian is the classic! Here is a link to a story about Baker, including some photos of what's left of the Royal Hawaiian.
https://www.placesthatwere.com/2016/02/gateway-to-death-valley-broken-dreams.html

And this page shows a photo of drummer Joey Vespe, at Circus Circus.
https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/10-things-were-unashamed-to-say-we-love-about-circus-circus/
Check out my social media for some other Vegas photos!