(Updated on June 4, 2026)
Welcome! I’m Glad You’re Here.
Let’s be honest: I usually dread writing these “about me” spaces. When tasked with describing myself, my mind suddenly goes blank. But if you have a few minutes, I’d love to share a bit of my story, my evolution, and what you will find here in my corner of the internet.
My Roots & Journey
I am the youngest child, the only daughter, and the only adopted child of a handsome and confident Michigan farmer who married a beautiful German girl after World War II.
Since 1990, I have been married to my best friend and the love of my life, Don. While we were never blessed with children, we happily share our home and our hearts with several very spoiled, loving cats.
My life has been a tapestry of different seasons:
- Veteran: I served proudly in the U.S. Army for nine years as a military police officer.
- Explorer: I have held many different jobs, traveled to incredible places, and learned endless lessons along the way.
- Lifelong Friend: I love making new connections, but I deeply cherish my oldest friends. I’ve officially reached the age where I can say I’ve known—and genuinely liked—some of my friends for over 55 years!
- Adoptee: In 2021, a DNA kit from my brother changed my life. Within six weeks, I unlocked the maternal side of my birth family, gaining a half-sister and a half-brother. Though my birth mother passed away in 1999, discovering my roots brought a profound sense of closure and connection.
Growth, Grace, and “Doing Better”
If you want me in a nutshell: I am an average person who loves her husband fiercely, her country deeply, her family thoroughly, and her pets unconditionally.
I have also made more mistakes than I can count. In my younger years, I burned bridges by reacting to perceived slights instead of acting with intention. Over the last 60 years, I have done the painful, necessary work to turn regret into actionable change. I live by Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “Once you know better, you do better.”
The older I get, the more I despise drama. I actively choose peace, acceptance, mindfulness, and quiet joy. I firmly believe that everyone matters to someone, and everyone is fighting a hidden battle. So, above all, I choose kindness.
What You’ll Find on the Blog
Because human beings are multifaceted, this blog reflects all the different pieces of my world. You can look forward to:
- The Warm & Cozy: Cooking, baking, original recipes, and a passion for fresh, local, fair-trade goods.
- The Creative Heart: Personal essays, poetry, memories, and family stories.
- The Critical Thinker: Deeply researched, properly cited commentary on current events, news, politics, and military/veteran issues. I tackle heavy topics, but I focus on behaviors rather than personal attacks—and I always keep it strictly PG-13.
- The “Unfiltered” Series: My newest space where I speak my mind freely. It’s raw, authentic, and research-backed, even when I don’t explicitly list the citations. (But if you ever want to chat and ask me to “prove it,” I always keep my receipts handy!)
Ultimately, I want this space to feel like a warm kitchen table—inviting, safe, and open to honest conversation. It can get a little spicy when we talk about the hard stuff, but it is always rooted in truth and respect.
Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you stay a while!
Copyright © 2009–2026 Maria Appleby for Maria’s Musings: Tales My Heart Tells. All Rights Reserved.
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