I swam under the Blue Water Bridge — a freighter in our path, big waves, and my childhood friend who flew in from the UK just to do it. A bucket list moment that turned into something bigger: a Living List.

I jumped into 43-degree Lake Huron on Memorial Day, applied for the Escape from Alcatraz swim — and missed qualifying by 2 minutes. Now I am training with my coach and inviting you to join me for a summer of distance swimming, Swim With Sally.

Food from different cultures was unknown to me when I was younger. I grew up in a large family. Routines helped control the chaos of seven children. Mealtimes were consistent and predictable. Tuesday night was pork chops.

From Title IX to Lake Huron, this is a story about starting again—and how swimming became a path back to strength, clarity, and connection.

While a winter storm keeps Michigan indoors, a Murder, She Wrote marathon sparks a reflection on how storytelling—and society—has changed, revealing what an 80s TV detective can still teach us about America today.