How Are You Doing (No, really, HOW ARE YOU DOING?)

latest blogs, insights, book recs, and a fabo recipe

Hey Friends –

Checking in with you from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. How are things with you?

And don’t just say fine.

Unless, of course, they are simply fine and you have nothing else to add.

Most of us answer any request about our well-being by rote. It’s a programmed verbal dance we do countless times a day.

But what if we started honestly answering?

What if we took that question seriously?

And, more importantly, what if we honestly wanted to know and listened to the answer?

As our world seems to pull apart, breaking into an us/them mindset, I think we need to find more ways to connect. And being authentically interested in the welfare of others, especially the ones placed in our path, is a good place to start.

So, the next time someone asks how you are, try giving them an honest answer. I bet it brings a pause. And maybe that pause will be followed by real connection.

And how is my writing going, you ask?

It’s a wee bit stalled at the moment. Which is frustrating as ideas seem to be spinning in my head but never make it onto the page. Every attempt is shanghaied by this mini task-masker stomping around my brain, telling me not to start anything new until I take care of all the unfinished projects.

Starting is so much more delicious than trudging through.

Finishing is awesome, but it comes with its own set of ‘now whats,’ and sometimes I wonder if that is what is holding me up.

No matter, I’m going to seize upon the promise of spring and jump-start a few of those projects languishing on my laptop. Hopefully, by the next newsletter, I’ll have something real to share.

Meanwhile, I’ve been blogging, of course, so I hope you’ll click on a button below.

I’ve got another Memphis rescue to share with you. Read the latest post on Another Good Dog and meet Wishbone (and see Happy Jack’s happy ending!)

---

I’ve been pondering deep things over on My Life in Paragraphs. What is it we all really deserve? Click over to the blog to find out.

---

As always, I have a story to share of our shelter visits, here’s one on Who Will Let the Dogs Out blog:

---

I’ve finally taken the plunge and jumped on TikTok. I have a lot to learn about making those amazing videos, but it’s a great place to vent. I also put up a video of my favorite waterfall. Check me out Tiktok!

---

Of course, I can’t leave without sharing a recipe I’m loving.

Coconut Poke Cake

(This is serious, serious, serious YUM. It is not healthy. It is not hard. It is just AMAZING. Promise. Perfect for Easter, too, if you’re into that kind of thing.)

1 pkg (18.25oz) white cake mix (or make cake batter from scratch like I do, I just kept this ingredient in there in case you want a short cut)

1 (14oz) can cream of coconut

1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (16oz) container cool whip (or make real whipped cream from cream if you want serious yum)

1 (6oz) pkg flaked coconut

1. Prepare mix and bake (or make cake from scratch). While still hot, using a fork, poke holes all over top of cake.

2. Mix cream of coconut (NOT coconut milk), condensed milk together. Pour over still hot cake.

3. Cool cake and frost with whipped topping and top with coconut

4. Jelly Beans optional (but seriously, don’t you have enough sugar already?)

That’s all folks. I’m super proud that I made myself get this newsletter out. This morning I thought, “There’s no way a newsletter is happening this week.”

But you know what? I’m in charge of me, not my obligations or my mood or my dogs. So I just buckled down and got it done. No matter the gray, cold day. No matter the distractions. No matter the lack of any real content (sorry).

How about you? You’re in charge of you. I hope you take that seriously.

And me being in charge of me, I’m going to go curl up on the couch by the woodstove and wait out this last gasp of winter with my pups and my latest puzzle.

Be well, my friends. (And I really would love to know how you are doing, even if it’s ‘fine.’)

Bring on Spring!

Cara

You can find links to all my blogs, books, and writing endeavors on my website: