Healing Hands & A Good Day in Spartanburg
JOURNAL ENTRY #3
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026
Some days carry victories that only the person living them truly understands.
A year ago, around June of 2025, I began noticing signs of eczema on my fingers. What started as a small irritation gradually progressed until even the simple tasks became painful. As someone who loves creating art, gardening, cooking healthy meals, and restoring our historic home, The Union House of Hogarth, the loss of comfort and function in my hands affected nearly every part of daily life.
After months of worsening symptoms, I finally visited a dermatologist this past March and was diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema.
Today was my follow-up appointment in Spartanburg, and thankfully, it came with opportunity to enjoy a few favorite places along the way.
Before my appointment, James and I stopped for lunch at Ali Baba. As usual, I ordered my favorite Mediterranean Jacket Potato along with a slice of baklava. If you ever find yourself there, I highly recommend both.
From lunch, we walked around the corner to The Spice & Tea Exchange, where I picked up one of my regular favorites, Ginger Turmeric Tea. I also brought home something new to try — Holy Basil Tea. As someone who enjoys incorporating herbs and natural wellness into everyday living, I’m looking forward to sitting down with a warm cup and seeing what I think.
While James visited The Tangled Web to pick up a few comics, we had enough time to browse one of my favorite antique shops, Time & Time Again. There is something comforting about wandering through old treasures and imagining the stories they carry.
Then it was off to my appointment.
The best part of the day wasn’t the lunch, the tea, or even the antiques.
It was hearing that I’ve healed well.
Today I can once again work comfortably with my hands. That means creating art, tending the garden, experimenting with healthy recipes, and continuing the restoration of The Union House of Hogarth. These are not small things. They are pieces of the life I’m building.
Even better, I don’t have to return for another year.
Today was a reminder that healing sometimes comes slowly. Often we don’t notice progress while we’re living through it. Yet one day we look back and realize we’ve come much farther than we thought.
Today was a good day.
Until next time,
LHogarth