by Karen Patterson It’s time to unite. To shine our light. Yes, and join the fight To do what’s right With all our might. Yes, and time to cross that line— To admit we are not “fine.” With your stories and mine, Memories traced along the third base line. Unite is the word I’ve chosen for 2026. It comes from unity —a state in which we are at our best. Unity means connection, understanding, and love, our most powerful force and emotion. Love was my word for 2025, and what I learned is this:...

Vulnerability. I don’t like this choice because it threatens me. I know the power of the word. I teach it often in my improv and storytelling classes. I ask students to say the first thing that comes to mind, to put their characters in peril, to raise the stakes by increasing vulnerability. But making it my  word of the year? I don’t like it. Which means I’ve got work to do. A dear friend of mine, Diane, uses vulnerability alongside another word: visible . Visible and vulnerable. Not just...

Life really isn’t fair. People in the Parkinson’s community know this very well. Most of us heard this truism early, but it never stops hurting when it shows up unexpectedly, cruel, and senseless. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, being gone isn’t fair.  And yet, here we are. I keep thinking about Stand By Me , a film that has called out to me since the first time I saw it as a teenager.  Gordie: Do you think I'm weird ?   Chris: Definitely.  Gordie: No man, seriously. Am I weird?  Chris:...