“Drawing a line in the sand,” comes to mind. The most meaningful definition to me: “refusing to be untrue to yourself,” by way of google. Or as a psychotherapist might define: learning to set limits, (not as boundaries which are more rigid whereas limits are more flexible) to be able to grow a healthy loving relationship – especially with oneself. To become your best nature. LOVE.

Many ask, how can I as a Marriage and Family Therapist not take on other people’s problems, adding that what I do must be hard.

An important way I take care of myself is to be out in nature daily, walking to waterfalls is my favorite, lucky enough to live in a city that streams bumper stickers reading ITHACA IS GORGES.

During a recent two-week deep freeze covering the Mid-Atlantic States, our waterfalls graced greatfull eyes with lines frozen into magnificent vertical designs, sometimes adding greens and blues, colored by friendly algae.

When I cautiously ventured onto the southern tip of our 40-mile-long partially frozen Cayuga Lake, my eyes are glued to the lines, where cracks will someday give way to the sun.

As the temperature warms, I photograph, the chunks of ice thrown to the banks of the inlet, broken by straight lines. Then, I notice, up close, that the thick ice blocks have straight lines within.

Then, I am surprised to see a gleaming green feathered mallard duck sitting, resting on one of those crystalline white chunks, still warm. Like my heart. Frozen in love.