Just so you know. I’m not actually ready to do this. Doesn’t matter though, because I set my birthday as Launch Day. And my birthday is in about 12 hours. Not going to let myself off the hook this time.
Setting my intention for the blog has taken time. But I’ve arrived at the place where I must begin. Finally. Lost in the Cul-de-sac, or LitCds, was born years ago, around 2006 (when I lived in an actual cul-de-sac) and the blog itself went online in July 2011. I’m now on the eve of my 46th birthday. In 2018. It’s roughly a decade past time to go LIVE.
We all know what a cul-de-sac is, right? A dead end. It’s usually round and pretty, but still, it’s the end of the road. Translated directly from French, it means, “bottom of the bin.” God, that’s pretty funny, how often have I been lost in the bottom of the bin?
Dark and heavy things happen in the cul-de-sac: miscarriages, broken backs, mental illness, sexual orientation questions, financial catastrophes, cancer, drunken chaos, ambulance rides and affairs. And once I’ve climbed out of the sack, some lovely and beautiful things happen: acceptance, grace, compassion, forgiveness, understanding, joy, humor and wisdom. I don’t believe this pattern of stuck and un-stuck will be letting up any time soon.
Because…the human condition and all of that.
So, I’m no longer waiting for things to “settle down” for me to start this blog. Today is the day.
In yoga, we practice setting an intention every time we are on our mat. Typically, I just say to myself, “Be Here,” because as basic and mundane as that sounds, it’s nearly an impossibility for me. Setting expectations comfortably low is my sweet spot. And that is what I will do here at LitCds. How about, let’s just Be Here? I want to Be Here. I want you to Be Here. I want us to Be Here together, exploring and discovering. Cheers to us learning how to get un-lost.
Lost In The Cul-de-sac 
Wishing you the best in this creative, healing endeavor. My new favorite quote is “It is not so much what your do in life as what you overcome.”I have a hard time directing myself with that motto -but I try and maybe with your insight and wisdom and others we can evolve. Looking forward to more.
Thank you so much Aunt Char! It’s exciting and scary to start something new like this…so I very much appreciate your support. Thanks for reading! xo
Wahoo! Congrats Gretchen 💕👏🏼
Thank you! And thanks for reading!! xo
Love! You will be great!
Oh my gosh Julie, thank you!! Thanks for the kind words and for your support! xo
Awesome launch post! Honest, intriguing, sweet, not-too-long, and not too late to ever blog, blog. Loving it already! 💛
EEK! Thanks Sara! I’m so excited (and scared) to finally go forward with my dream! Thanks for reading! xo
Thank you, Gretchen. Take a bow!
Thank you so much for reading Buff! Thanks for your support! xo
Love love love and can’t wait to read more!
Thank you dear friend! And you KNOW there’s more where this came from! lol Thanks for supporting my writing! xo
Gretchen, love, look forward to reading more!! I did a similar thing to Alan we were in our “forever” home in Florida when I suggested we move back to the UK 🇬🇧 (not sure if you remember me) Alan was happily settled in still enjoying flying gliders etc. next minute our house sold the same day, never hit the market. To say it has been a whirlwind of a journey is an under statement, we left USA 🇺🇸 in Sept our house is still not completed 😥 so living in rental accommodation. So many unfortunate things have happened in between.
That’s in a nutshell.
Look forward to reading your journey!
Freda Benfell
Thank you Freda! Isn’t it funny how we learn about other’s journeys when we share our own. Thanks for reading! xo
Congratulations! Here’s to new beginnings. You inspire me.
Kathryn, thank you so much for reading and for your kind words. xo