In my mind, I'm thinking of how 50 years ago Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It makes me ponder if we are any better for it today? What would MLKJ think of our country? Watching a PBS presentation at home with my kids the other night, I shuddered. ...

In my mind today I'm thinking of Holy Week on the church calendar. Sal the Youth Minister Gal is weak and weary. I had a very long, busy week and weekend. I could barely hold the communion cup at mass Sunday. We pulled off a pancake breakfast and egg hunt between services. I'm so proud of my church and the youth. It is melding into such a group of loving servants...

In my mind today I'm thinking about how spring break engulfed me. Boy, students I really took a sabbatical. Back row, that means a huge break. I indulged myself in watching college basketball, making out tournament brackets, and reading. Oy vey! I made out twenty-five different tournament bracket predictions. ...

In my mind today, I have lots of situations in Sal the ALS Gal's world that need attention. There are loose ends which need tied everywhere! I need to make calls, make lists, organize my calendar, and run errands. Ack! I'm drowning! I had to literally force myself to open my meditation materials first before diving into the tangled web of loose ends that are looming over me. I hear the back row snickering because Sal the Cool as a Cucumber Gal is having a bit of a meltdown...

In my mind today I'm thinking like Brittany Spears, "Oops I did it again." I haven't been able to write as of late because I've done it again. I'm going to ballgames, teaching at church, and being a youth minister. Some call it "burning the candle at both ends" but Sal the Dharma Gal calls it living with ALS not dying. ...

In my mind today I'm thinking of all of the blessings of 2017 and how things have changed from my childhood. Remember as a child how the 2000's seemed otherworldly? They seemed so distant as we envisioned a world like The Jetsons. We've yet to have flying cars, but we have rumbas, drones, and FaceTime which are amazing when I think of my techno-free childhood...

In my mind today, I'm thinking of obstacles. I've had lots of obstacles lately but haven't we all? I've been desperately wanting to write, but life has gotten in the way. I've had to deal with my youngest having Influenza Type B, DSCC fundraiser, Valentine's Day, Ash Wednesday, book club, and Vanderbilt doctor appointments. Whew! Obstacles...

In my mind today, I'm thinking of prayer. You hear and see it often among friends and family. Being Catholic, prayer is key. We have many formal prayers: the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. These are common. Prayer is a way to "love others as we love ourselves."...

In my mind today I'm thinking about growing up. I'm thinking that soon Sal will be a 1/2 a Century Gal. Every morning I read, read, and read some more. What stood out today was our milestones of growth. I remember the old saying "Love is Wasted on the Young." Why is this? I think it's because we are living with abandon full of vim and vigor. ...

In my mind today, I'm thinking about true partnerships and commitments. Yesterday was a dear friend's birthday. We've know each other for years, but as of late we've become "soul sisters." Our lives have eerily paralleled. ...

In my mind, I'm thinking about snow days. In my healthy, ambulatory life as a teacher, I lived for snow days! Last night as our little burg buzzed about the cancellation of school, a part of Sal the Snow Day Gal was giddy! Then the alert dinged my phone informing us about the cancelling of school, I was ecstatic! This morning after my husband was ready for work he came to my side of the bed, jerked off the covers, and raised my head with the remote. ...

In my mind today, I'm realizing Christmas is quickly approaching. Yesterday was to be my first day of infusions, but my veins blew. It's okay and this happens. Friday I should be getting a port inserted. This will be used for my "new normal" of infusions. Every setback happens for a reason...

Creating Bedford Falls In my mind today, I'm thinking of my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. This is saying something because boy, I have so many favorite Christmas movies from classics to modern. The movie was originally a flop but over time it became a blockbuster. ...

In my mind today, I'm thinking about Laughter, Lights, and Love. God blessed me with two of the best biological sisters this little sister could ever ask for. We love unconditionally. When one hurts so does the others. I'm so grateful for the hearts my mother nourished in each of her children. ...

In my mind today, I'm thinking about the meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday. As I read and prayed this morning, the word grateful kept popping up. The more I sat in the stillness, the more I was filled with such gratefulness. Each day is such a gift. Ken and I know this all to well...

In my mind today I'm thinking about how we can survive this life. Just like the old saying, "No one gets out alive" the truth hurts. As we trundle down our life lines, we have many hills to climb and sometimes when you're lucky you catch some effortless down hill coasting. This reminds me of my biking and running seasons. Those coasting moments are refreshing...

In my mind, I'm thinking about "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "(Romans 13:9) This precept covers many commandments. I've always said it's easy to love those neighbors with which you have commonalities, but what about those who "grind your gears?"...

In my mind today, I'm thinking about marriage. Today, Ken and I have been married 28 years. We've loved and supported one another through peaks and valleys of this life journey. We've raised five children and have two wonderful grandchildren. Just like Joe Walsh sings, "Life's been Good to Me." It really has...

To Do Lists In my mind today, I'm thinking about to do lists. I am summing up a huge to do list and it feels so good to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I completed to Youth Group Fall Festival and the Autumn March for ALS 2017. I only have thank you cards and shirt deliveries left to do for the Fall Festival and the race. It feels good to check off our lists doesn't it?...

In my mind today I'm thinking about social media, the Internet, and technology. I'm ever so thankful today. I opened up my social media feed this morning and they were all are full of prayers and positive vibes. This gave me hope that in our space and time we can flip the script...