Yeah, somewhere along the way I remember learning it not to be particularly helpful if we get too hyped up on happenings. Do some groundwork, sit back, and believe that things will take care of themselves. I’m getting much better at this. It reminds me of a paragraph I wrote when I committed to exactly … Continue reading Calmness Amid Events on Steroids
No doubt, we are overwhelmed by news in these times. I'm listening to Ian McEwan's book, What We Can Know, and its futuristic look back at both information sharing and truth in contemporary time is disturbing and thought provoking. Many of my friends and supporters are pulling out of social media altogether, which I understand. … Continue reading Engaging Readers Amid Social Media Fatigue
I found great joy in crafting a book for my grandson this past month. Yet another reminder about how essential it is to make time for creativity, love and joy in these difficult times. Too, I'm trying to model that for my own adult daughters. Our little guy and I had fun sharing his birthday … Continue reading Happy Birthday Oregon: Recognizing our Resilience and Spirit
You might be thinking I’m talking about the politics of the day. Nope. Not today. One of the challenges I took on when drafting From First Breath to Last: A Story About Love, Womanhood, and Aging, was to write my life's fairy tale or new myth. As with most writing I do, I had no … Continue reading Creating New Myths: Enough is Enough
I promised you, my faithful readers, that I'd stop posting when I ran out of content. No, I'm not there yet. But I asserted to myself I'd not be too impulsive in posting content that may sound good to me while rambling, either physically or metaphysically, but loses appeal soon after. Energetic beginnings dictated into … Continue reading The Blogs I Never Wrote—and Why
As I began drafting this blog – and was patting myself on the back for the completion of my audiobook – I began to sing Eric Carmen's 1970s pop song, All By Myself. Curious to listen to this tune I haven't heard in ages, I found it online, sat back and closed my eyes. I … Continue reading Creating (Another) Audiobook: A Tribute to Mom
Does it seem the older we get, the harder it is to recognize the year's end? Perhaps we have finally accepted there are fewer years ahead of us than behind? Or maybe, 2025 is a year we are eager to be done with! Regardless, it is odd for me to look at the 2026 calendar. … Continue reading Thank You for 10 Years of Blogging: Celebrating 2025 Milestones
Reading has always been one of my most favorite things. I still feel excited as I seek new books to read, whether at a favorite library, a neighborhood lending library, bookstore, or even an audiobook on Libby. I own more books than I may ever read, even though I’ve also spent time clearing my shelves. … Continue reading Our Connection to Departed Loved Ones Through Books
Yesterday I told a friend that my favorite author-related activity is joining book groups to discuss my books. I meant what I said. As much as I enjoy presenting book talks, usually with folks who haven't yet read my book, nothing compares to exploring a book's nitty gritty details. All of it: what people most … Continue reading Exploring Author Insights Through Book Groups
This October of 2025 has been a big month. In addition to my usual October Celebrations like my birthday (this year 64) and wedding anniversary (37!), I published a book (my sixth). Too, although recently claiming retirement, I agreed to present a keynote and session at an early October industrial hygiene conference. I too struggle … Continue reading Take a Breath
Dede's Books and blog 