Author Archives: Joy Clough

Portraits of Thanksgiving (retouched)

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Joy Clough

Note: The following is an update to Portraits of Thanksgiving, published in November 2010. Back in my teens and early twenties, I thought posing for the family Thanksgiving photo was kind of annoying. Just about the time I’d be digging into … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Family and friends, Seasonal celebrations and observations | 2 Comments

Real life is scary enough

Posted on October 10, 2021 by Joy Clough

Who needs Halloween this year? Not me! I’ve been wearing a mask and eating candy for months now. And I definitely don’t need to watch any of those special October freak fest movies. I have more than enough reasons for … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Leave a comment

April Fools’ amnesty

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Joy Clough

If ever there was a time to call a moratorium on April Fools’ Day, this would be it. With the pandemic and everything else going on in the world between last April and now, I just don’t need more shock … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Family and friends, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 9 Comments

Vaccine vigil

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Joy Clough

(Sung to the tune of “Jolene,” by Dolly Parton) Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccineI’m begging to be part of your next planVaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccinePlease come to me whichever way you can Just pick a town and I’ll be thereI’m ready … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Songs of Joy and Tomfoolery | 12 Comments

Walking on

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Joy Clough

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you will never walk alone.— Rodgers and Hammerstein  My Year in Review slideshow was shaping up to be kinda dull. Same Rangeley lake blues and forest greens but, comparatively speaking, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Family and friends, Mindfulness, health and healing | 6 Comments

Not saying the “C” words

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Joy Clough

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything!” my mother would repeat most days during breakfast. Never a morning person, I needed her constant reminders to stop belly aching and just eat so I wouldn’t miss the bus. Mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Mindfulness, health and healing, Mum & Mac | 4 Comments

A few of my new COVID things

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Joy Clough

Anyone who’s lived with me for more than a day knows I can’t carry a tune. And they also know that doesn’t stop me from trying. At the top of my lungs. Because singing makes me happy. Or, better said … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Songs of Joy and Tomfoolery | 8 Comments

My college to COVID(eo) composite

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Joy Clough

“Don’t forget, be here this Thursday afternoon for composites!” one of my sorority sisters would announce over dinner each spring. First time I heard it, I had a Hill Street Blues moment, wondering why we needed an appointment with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Corona bright spots, Family and friends, Mindfulness, health and healing, Mum & Mac | 10 Comments

Pandemic proclamations

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Joy Clough

“Today, I ate a sandwich.” Not exactly an earth-shattering proclamation. Or is it? Really depends on the context. My step-mom, Prudy, once had a friend say that exact sentence to her, and it was the biggest deal either of them … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Corona bright spots, Mindfulness, health and healing, Retirementality | 19 Comments

Slow, slow riders

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Joy Clough

Ten winters after putting down Rangeley roots—perennial roots deep in the arctic strata formerly known as our summer waterfront—we put down tracks. Serious tracks. Boldly going where we hadn’t dared to snowshoe, ski, or ice shuffle before. Faster than a … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirementality, Seasonal celebrations and observations, Songs of Joy and Tomfoolery | 7 Comments