I hope you get treated and feel better soon. UTIs are the worst. I had a poorly timed uti over one Thanksgiving which became a bladder infection leaving me to suffer through the most painful night of my life. Now I make sure to take daily supplements to help thwart issues before they start and to support my bladder/urinary tract health: a probiotic pill, d-mannose, and aloe vera pills.

I had a rough case of lockjaw in 2016 (one of my many weird body/health issues stemming from Lyme disease). I could barely open or close my mouth fully. I went to Elite Physical Therapy and had a few sessions where they taught me techniques that I can implement anytime I feel my jaw stiffening. Hasn’t happened again since, thankfully.

I’m also an illustrator. If you live in RI, you can apply for an artistic exemption to sell limited edition signed works of art sales tax free, be at live craft fairs or an online shop. I love that aspect!

Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland is an absolute gem for bringing in outstanding Celtic/folk/world music from an array of areas both locally and globally. I realize that may not be to everyone’s taste and you may only be interested in the scoop on local bands and musicians but it’s such a great venue I have to spread the word when I can.

Dr. Belluci in Johnston is one of my favorite medical people, period. Just a really kind, gentle fellow. I’ve been going to him for a few years now. (My husband had a chalazion taken care of there, too but by a different doctor).

Honestly, the little weekend we spent on Block Island even in early May one year was not good. Still felt like winter there. Mostly closed, very windy, very cold, hard to get around. We had a fun enough time with our couple friends but would never do it again—not for the high cost hotel.

Glad we got married 13 years ago and didn’t break the bank. We had our event in 2009 at Webb Barn in Wethersfield CT. We max spent $12k total for every last need/embellishment. 115 people, catering by a nearby restaurant. We made back what we put in thanks to wedding gifts. At age 25, we felt pretty good about paying for it ourselves and not even noticing it.

I went to Elite Physical Therapy in North Smithfield a few years ago, and liked my experience.

I second the physical therapy route. I’ve tried chiropractic and have come to agree with its reputation as dangerous quackery. Physical therapy has helped me with everything from lockjaw to acute knee pain. Chiropractic has only ever worsened my particular chronic issues. Wherever you end up, I hope you find what works for you. Being in pain is exhausting.

A favorite author for sure. Dandelion Wine is my favorite novel. Something Wicked This away comes contains my favorite book passage. And his Zen and The Art of Writing is an inspiration even though I’m not a writer. Enjoy discovering more of his masterful way with words.

I’d love that, too—in our case I forgot to mention it was also raining!

My husband and I went one early May with a couple of friends—thinking, eh, it’s a bit early for the season but it’ll be fun anyway…

It was cold, miserably windy, nothing was open, everything was insanely expensive, and it became one of the rare times we concluded this little getaway was not worth it and we wouldn’t do it again.