As seen in The Buffalo News My View—
Mitch was hoping for a tarpon. I was hoping for a short trip. I was mid-phone call, half-paying attention, when Mitch yelled, “I’ve got a big one!” Turns out… he really did.
Tag: humor
Happy Birthday, Jessica
Happy Birthday, Jess – Chapter 1 – Raising Jess: A Story of Hope- April 11, 1982, The beginning of our story. As the months passed, the doctor continued to assure us that Jess was fine. I continued to question all her delays. Welcome to Motherhood.
Lessons from My Six-Year-Old Teacher: Presence, Patience, and Phones
In Noa’s classroom, my dog Gus and I both have lessons to learn—mine: “get off your phone”; his: “stop eating from the garbage.” We take our seats (mine cross-legged, his…loosely interpreted), and class begins. Within minutes, my phone is confiscated, Gus is barely paying attention, and somehow, I’m the one who ends up in the principal’s office. And I learn: To slow down and be present.
🦃ThanksGiving ThankFULL
My Thanksgiving ThankFULL list – GEEZ! I hope I didn’t forget anybody—Heartfelt, Humorous, & always Personal – HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y’ALL! 🦃 #Thanksgiving #RaisingJess #Family #Tofurkey #TurkeyDay #BuffaloTurkeyTrot #Humor #Gratitude
RV 3.0 – Maiden Voyage USS Rubin 🚙
🚐 Our Maiden Voyage on the RV 3.0 (USS Rubin) adventure included hiking, campfires, and one mystery — thankfully, CHATGPT Repair came to the rescue!
Bat Sh!+ Bedlam
Mitch and I were watching The Gilded Age. As usual, I was half-asleep on the couch when I saw something flying.
“Is that a bird?” I asked.
Mitch already knew it was NOT a bird and was trying to decide what to do with me and the EEEEK! BAT!
Diapers, Dishes & Delusions of Control – Happy Mother’s Day!
Diapers, Dishes, and Delusions of Control at Home—
Written in ’90 -A Happy Mother’s Day Poem
Updated By Nana Vickie – in 2025
The story continues with an updated vibe
Tow Tow Tow our Boat
I am not a boater—there, I said it. On the other hand, my husband Mitch loves fishing on his rented boat. I have a 2-3 hour ADD attention span for the high seas while he is just getting started. But our last boating experience was the first one for me!
Write, Delete, Repeat: The Blogger’s Block and Navigating Views
Blogger’s block: the struggle is real. Symptoms include excessive deleting, obsessive view-count checking, and questioning life choices. Write Delete Repeat!” #writersBlock #BloggersBlock #Communication #RareDisease #Creativity #RaisingJess
Are Emojis Generational? 🤔 & Go Bills! 🦬❤️”
My texts with friends are emoji chaos, but with my millennial kids. It’s like 🚫🥰 not ❤️. Where’s the fun in that? & GO BILLS! 🏈🦬
#Emoji #Buffalo #BuffaloBills #JoshAllen #RaisingJess #Boomers #Millennials #Generations
My View: Life’s Battles Continue Regardless of Circumstances: Medical Appointments with our Daughter with Severe Intellectual Disabilities 
As seen in Buffalo News, Jessica’s hygienist writes a new chapter each visit— “How to dodge bites, flails while using sharp tools!” 🦷
Bet You Never Saw One of These
Years ago, Mitch brought home an Amish contraption that I immediately schemed to throw out. Bet you have never seen this household hack!
THE F-WORDs
The F-word? Why does your mind immediately go there? That’s not what I meant at all-Read to see the real meaning of F-words & some H-words!
Resilience, Community and Family Stories – Heart of the Matter
Okay, let me explain Vick Squared. First, it’s Vickie (me) and Vicki (Atkinson, who is also a Ph.D, so she has even more letters! One of the hosts). Wynne is the Heart of the Matter ( HoTM ) co-host and an enthusiast of endurance sports. They both host Heart of the Matter, they focus on the importance of intergenerational wellness and healing. They believe writing and storytelling can build resilience for the future by exploring what matters most in life: connection, laughter, empathy and authenticity.
Raising Jess: A Story of Hope – A Gift For All Readers
Whether facing challenges or looking for inspiration, “Raising Jess” will show that thriving is possible, no matter what life throws your way
“You Have Covid, Again”
You’ve got Covid, again!” Yep, that’s the usual reaction. 3 Broadway plays in 3 days scored me the ultimate souvenir: the Covid ticket!
Noa and Nana’s Birthday Extravaganza
Noa was due on my birthday but, of course, she had her own plans! Now we’re celebrating together—Noa style, adoring, adornment and all! #Birthday #Nana #Generation #Celebration #Diva #foodanddrink #RaisingJess #Daughter #Granddaughter #Birthday
Buffalo News Version- Mh.D. or Motherhood can be a Series of Formidable Challenges~
“Stop the presses! My article made the Buffalo News, My View column! 🌟 If you’re reading this twice… well, it’s just that exciting! 🎉 Sorry for the déjà vu!” ;0)
Family Reunion 2024
It’s noon, but “5 o’clock somewhere!” Playing UNO, and enjoying a too-early beer at our annual 13th (or maybe 10th or 11th) family reunion! #RaisingJess #CattaraugusCounty, #WesternNewYork, #FamilyReunion, #Traditions, #AnnualGathering #Humor
I Hired a Tomato Plant Hitman
From falling for 2-cute tomato plants in a big box store to hiring a Tomato Plant Hitman —discover the juicy tale behind the Toms!
A NEW RV?
Back to blogging! 🚐✨ A New RV? .Mitch and I sold our RV after touring the country and mastering cassette toilets, deciding renting is the way to go. And then…#RVAventures #BackToBlogging
WOW! Memorial Day Wishes and Kind of a Writing Break
Book promo isn’t easy, but WOW! moments keep me going. When I receive your feedback about Raising Jess, It Reminds me why I do what I do!
The Story of a Late Diagnosis and Writing Your Memoir
🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ “The Gift of a Late Diagnosis” and a heartwarming reading of “The Gift of Grandparents” at minute 21:09 – Plus the journey and joy of writing your own story. #Podcast #LateDiagnosis #Grandparents #MemoirWriting #Storytelling #LetsTalkMemoir #RaisingJess #RonitPlank #Family #Disability #SpecialNeeds #Humor #RareDisease #Inspirational
Retirement Does Not Mean Retiring from Life (& OMG! I’m on PBS!)
Thank you for the 2-min. interview, PBS – Retirement does not mean retiring from life. It’s an opportunity to rediscover forgotten interests.
NYT Quiz
“Ah, Friday – the day when I question my entire week’s worth of news intake, hoping it’s enough to secure victory in the family NYT quiz showdown.