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the thief
The picture was taken over two years ago. It was our last picture with Dooley, our camper van. It was taken before we had a dog. Before I had my hair cut short. Before my movement disorder specialist added to my diagnosis “advanced stage of Parkinson’s Disease”. It was when I still could walk unassisted…
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Is it time to give up? an essay
I am Carol Clupny. I don’t give up! But what if I want to. What if I am tired of all this…the pain, the tremors, the freezing gait, the voice that is getting softer, the inability to get up out of a chair and walk across the room, this disease called Parkinson’s? Getting up out…
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November is Care Partners Appreciation Month
November is Care Partners Month: What about those who need a care partner but don’t have one? Carol Clupny October 30, 2023 November is Care Partners Month. This term is used across various diseases, not just my least favorite disease, Parkinsons. In the 5 years since I first heard “care partner” (previously called carer, caregiver,…
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Aurora
I am much more comfortable writing in a narrative style. I hear its good to challenge yourself with something new. I joined a poetry group. This is a poem I chose to read for the group. I have written about the day we brought Loren home. It’s been my favorite story to tell. Now it’s…
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welcome back
I have been away from my website for a long time. I will be submitting blog posts more as I am into writing my second book.
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One Friend is Silver and the Other Gold
(make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold The week before I was to leave for college, a friend stopped by to wish me well. She shared her experiences of college life to prepare me for what was ahead. One comment she made stuck with me: “The friends you…
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When I’m 64
I have a birthday most people remember. Its February 14th, Valentine’s Day. As long as I remember, my dad handpicked chocolates from Brights Candy in Walla Walla and placed them in a special heart shaped box. Mom made heart shaped cookies or a cake. In good times and in bad times, they always tried to…
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The Cat Connection
With the exception of two or three, the cats we have owned over the years fit the description of barn cats. Adventure eventually caused their demise as they wandered into the farm fields to be picked up by hawks or coyote; or climbed into visitors open car windows to get a ride to a far-off…
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Good Night Friend
Across the miles I reach my hand To brush your cheek and say goodnight The fairy dust that lines my eyes Will keep them shut so very tight Its time to sleep but first I pray And then on lilac pillows lay The blue hour comes and goes and then The darkest hour of time…
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Christmas Eve
We knew it would happen. It still came as a shock when it did: Christmas at home by ourselves. We went to a 4 pm Mass and ate a humble dinner. I will admit that I have not been attending Mass regularly at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Hermiston. A pandemic of lengthy…
The Ribbon of Road Ahead
One Woman's Remarkable Journey with Parkinson's Disease by CAROL CLUPNY