Your correct in your intuiting that I would love such work. Lately I’ve been trying to build an acupuncture practice, but if it doesn’t work out for one reason or another, I may well consider the path you suggest. Certainly, when I look back on my life, the happiest times were when I worked closely with nature. Thanks for taking an interest in my blog and my journey.

Blessings,

–Will

I’m much too new to your blog and to your writing to have learned all that much about you, but so far at first blush, we seem to have much in common – age, fam dynamics, healthcare, and love of learning/nature, mental health experiences, multiple profound losses, etc.

I stumbled onto a volunteer opportunity of the nature/physical labor variety for the National Park Service/Boston Harbor Islands. I’ve met several park rangers who are brilliant second career/retirees out of retirement who started as casual volunteers and got “hooked”. I wonder if something like that might be of interest to you, as well. I’m torn about continuing this summer because this is the sole contact I have with other people in any way, shape or form. But I have disk and facet disease in my c-spine, & ls spine, and doing the work leaves me almost paralyzed from spasms and pain. So I think I should decline and let someone else have the spot (there is a wait list). At any rate, back to you – the stewardship volunteering involves land management, flora and fauna inventories, historical preservation and the like. I’m under the impression that each National Park runs its own volunteer programs independently, so the Boston Harbor Islands program may look entirely different from what’s available near you. And of course, I may well be way too presumptuous and am out of line – sorry in advance!

I am so completely ostracized that no other organization would even acknowledge my volunteer application, let alone the years I’ve been job hunting and sending out applications that were not once acknowledged. 6 years on and counting the days of hell on earth – and the start date there was in fleeing another incompatible with life situation of pure terror. Starting over just landed me in another ring of the inferno.

You are the first example of anyone I’ve run across who has made it out. I know how difficult this is, and I admire the many strengths and virtues you have to be doing it!

Your writing is exquisite! I hope you’ll be patient w/ me as I slowly work through your archives. Comprehension and concentration are mostly gone, so I’m not stalking – I’m just trying to comprehend and remember.

Best-

aek

I will do some exploration for CBT sites that look the most useful. No time right now, but a worthy project. Thanks for suggesting it. Since CBT is one way to avoid drugs, I really should have some resources here as I build up this site. I suspect it would be useful in dementia, and I am sure that carers could benefit.