When I am obsessed about having a farm.. I take a drive in the country get out by the side of the road and talk softly to the cows.
When I'm missing my parents I drive by 31 Fairfax Road and listen to Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra.
When I want to feel grounded and at peace I have coffee with my friend since 4th grade. Paula.
When I want to feel young I cut my grilled cheese sandwich into triangles.
When I'm lonely, it's bunches and bunches of fresh basil, handfuls of pine nuts, 7 cloves of garlic, a wedge of Parmesan, the best olive oil I can afford and yeah... I make a freakin' pesto.
When I'm nostalgic about the old days, I watch "Peggy Sue Got Married" and "Back To The Future".
When I'm sad I get on the couch with my golden retriever and cry in his arms.
When I'm feeling fit, I take a fast 6 mile walk and pretend NIKE is filming me for a commercial.
When I'm feeling insecure, I imagine I'm in the bunker on the old sixth hole at WCC, during the Club Championship....with 50 people watching me... and I blast a shot out of there and it lands 7 feet from the stick and sucks back and drops in the hole. (ta da)
When I'm craving M&M's or Oreo's, I fill my grocery cart with broccoli, and a few other healthy things so I won't look like a glutton...
When I daydream of a certain kiss I order Pasta Puttanesca.
When I miss my kids being infants I slather myself in Johnson and Johnsons baby lotion and smell myself all day long!
When I am feeling grateful I picture my heart inside my chest and everyone I love is in there... and I bless them all.
When I want to remember our trip to Italy I buy a wedge of 5 year old Parmesan at Wasiks' and drizzle chestnut honey over every bite.
When I miss my Italian nana.... I make sauce.
When I miss my German grandmother.... I make a raspberry pie.
When I'm nervous I breathe in deep and exhale out the exact thing that is worrying me...and it blows away.
When I'm really busy and overwhelmed I stop; and make myself look at something in nature ... the clouds or a sweet bird on the windowsill,....it's astounding beauty always brings me back to calm.
When I want to feel loved, I go into my closet and find the shoebox that has "The 100 Reasons Why I Love Linda Recco" in it....... that Mike wrote for me in high school and I read them all !
When I am feeling good about my poetry I listen to "This Girl Is On Fire"
When I think of all the important stuff that I have learned in my life...I thank my kids!

Linda R. O'Connell © 2013