Welcome! I’m happy you dropped by.

I’m Annie Herzog, newly retired from paid employment and now on a journey to discover how to spend the rest of my days.

Please explore and feel free to contact me to let me know what you thought of the site or ask questions.

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What this site is about.

This is a public space to take a journey of mind and time sharing ideas, facts, memories, and stories about the past, present, and future. I write about that which makes life hard, sad, good, and worth it. I’m seeking the joy in the sorrows.

Let’s travel through gardens, nature, art, spirituality, books, music, family, friendship, dogs and cats, birds and beetles. No topic is out of bounds but be kind in your comments.

Trigger Warning: My father was a pedophile and an alcoholic. Because of this, posts about my personal past may contain material that is upsetting.

What this site is not about.

Although no topic is out of bounds, posts do not focus on how to save for retirement, invest, keep your skin wrinkle-free, nor fashion tips.

This is not a travel-log (although I’m sure there will be travel-related posts).

Stuff about me.

I’m a wife, mum, sister, granny, and auntie. I’ve been married 40+ years, have one child, one grandchild, and extended family that mean the world to me.

At the end of June 2022, I retired from the University of Michigan Medical School after 20 years doing work which I (mostly) loved.

I went to college at age thirty after too many years in advertising and got a degree in philosophy.

During my time at the University I worked with researchers and the people who support them. I was part of the administrative “village” endeavoring to create an ethical environment for human and animal research.

Now I’m focused on creative interests, spending time with family and friends, and minding my physical and spiritual health.

I don’t make money with affiliates or sponsors. I write just for the joy and challenge of it.

garden.jpg

Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything.” 

— Kurt Vonnegut

Left—my garden at our old house.