There is strength in numbers. And I gained some strength this past weekend by sharing it with 135 mothers who are estranged from their child/childern at a Mother's Day conference for estranged mothers and grandmothers. An essay of mine was published on Story Circle Network Substack about coming to the conference, A Mother's Gift to Myself. I arrived late in Lake Tahoe, after driving my rental car from Reno airport in the dark, on winding roads, thankful for google maps. But google maps was no help in finding my room.

Frances Scott

Mother's Day is right around the corner—so says Hallmark, the florists, and the restuarants that serve brunch. For years it has been a day for me to ignore, like most holidays, while treating myself well; a hike in nature, or a day to read a good book. This year, I am going to a Mother's Day retreat in Lake Tahoe specifically for estranged mothers and grandmothers. The retreat sold out in ten days, with 7,000 mothers on the waitlist. Dr. Joshua Coleman, author of When Parents Hurt, has a Substack with 73,000 followers which I find sad and alarming.

Two writer friends have forthcoming books. It is an honor to be on their book launch team and have read an advanced reading copy. I highly recommend both books.  Jacque Gorelick's book, Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Finding the Way Home, will be available wherever books are sold on February 17th or you may pre-order it now. Her story puts you right there with her from page one. I was immediately riveted, holding on to hope, awed by the miracle of modern medicine and touched by Jacque's communtiy who surrounded her during a time of need.

Today is the first day in weeks that I don't have anything on my calendar. It's been good, it's been busy and full of ups and downs. On top of dog/house sitting, I took on a dog walking gig for a couple of weeks (and it was icy as hell every day on that dog walk), several days of babysitting my three-year-old friend, cleaning my friend's Airbnbs while she travels in Italy, and my regular Wednesday elder care job. Amid it all, friends gathered to celebrate a birthday, and I stressed over making a regular and vegan pumpkin pie.

Back in 2020, when the world shut down, my writing group met via Zoom every Tuesday to write autobiography in lists. Each week, we had prompts to pick and choose from.  I was surprised by where the list prompts led me. Unusual things about me compared to most people I know Things I think people will be secretly thinking about me at my funeral Four wishes I would ask a genie to grant me Things I have too many of Times I’ve stayed too long Books that changed how I see the world…

by Kristina Patterson | XOXO.

It was an honor to write and have this essay published about my friend, Susan, who chose death with dignity and died in May 2025.

"I asked if she was scared. 'No, I’m mainly curious,' she replied."

"I asked if she was scared. 'No, I’m mainly curious,' she replied."

Guest post from Frances Scott

The weather was nice Saturday, but the heat felt sudden and the haze of controlled burns loomed overhead. It was the first farmers’ market of the season in downtown Missoula and the annual Br…

Early detection is key for this cancer that's primarily caused by the HPV virus

A Memoir by Frances Scott                                                                                     In my childhood home nights were filled with……