I did not expect to be retired from my primary profession at this point in my life. Yet another reminder to expect that life will surprise us. No matter what kind of planning we do. And to be prepared to roll in new or different directions. It's been just over a year since I officially … Continue reading Navigating Life Changes: Insights on Retirement
I'm forcing myself to get through Project Hail Mary. There, I said it. This book, now a top selling book and movie. Yes, I remain grateful we can all (hopefully access) and enjoy different books. And yes, millions of books for all to choose. I try to expose myself regularly to different genres and authors. … Continue reading The Stories We Seek: Why Literary Fiction Remains My North Star
I loved the book, Hanna's Ascent by fellow Bedazzled Ink Publishing author Jayna Sheats. That's the take-away here, but some background first. Ten years and five books into this publishing episode of my life, I’m appreciative of the authenticity and mission of my publisher, Bedazzled Ink Publishing. Way back when seeking a publisher for My … Continue reading Celebrating Bedazzled Ink: The Power of Women’s Voices
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 have rarely been this excited to share a birthday gift with a loved one. Now you get a sneak peek early, so mum's the word! The beauty too, is that my creation of this gift has gifted me moments of joyful interludes within this difficult world we are all part of. And while those … Continue reading How Family History Inspires Storytelling for Kids
From My Music Man, 2017 I love winter along our Willamette Valley rivers; the Willamette in particular. Like many, I worry that this winter's lack of snow and cold leads us further into drought and continued symptoms of climate change, regardless of what a certain uninformed individual claims. And while I too today will make … Continue reading Seeking Moments of Joy: The Serenity of Champoeg in the Winter
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
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