Today, I'm expanding my writing world by attending a session of the New York State Writers Institute to hear Cokie Roberts, illustrious journalist and broadcaster, speak on Writing about Women's History. The only women's history I plan to write about is my own, but I'm happy for the opportunity to connect with other writers. If… Continue reading When in need, a friend beats technology.
Serendipitous simplicity
I know—that’s a mouthful—maybe not the best introduction to this quick post (yes, another one) about living a simple life, but it’s so meaningful, I had to tell you. A few days ago, I had a final draft ready of this essay: My aha! moment. The gift of a simple life. I scheduled it to… Continue reading Serendipitous simplicity
My aha! moment. The gift of a simple life.
I read a lot of memoirs, not just to study my craft, but because I’m fascinated by the human experience. I love being invited into people’s lives, especially to witness how they respond to and grow from adversity. When I read or hear another person's story, I almost always learn something about myself. That’s what… Continue reading My aha! moment. The gift of a simple life.
I don’t know me.
I finally sat down today with my freelance editor's notes on section 1 of my memoir manuscript. Section 1 describes the years leading up to my son's diagnosis with a brain tumor. My editor told me it would need a lot of work, and it does. So often in her notes, my editor questions why… Continue reading I don’t know me.
Sharing our stories.
Now that my memoir is becoming more of a reality, with sections of my manuscript getting closer and closer to completion, it’s provided opportunities for our family to talk about what happened two decades ago in ways that we couldn’t back then, as we stumbled through it. Matt was eleven when he was diagnosed with… Continue reading Sharing our stories.
No foolin’ this year.
This year, for better or for worse, social media, the airwaves, and maybe even the pulpit will be full of everyone's take on the fact that Easter falls on April Fool's Day. I have nothing unique or clever to add, so I'll keep this post simple. Last year, I was feeling blue about Easter; you… Continue reading No foolin’ this year.
My book release party. Someday.
When I walked into my public library last week to return some books, I noticed a flyer for an upcoming book release party. The author was a local memoirist; it looked like she may have written about her journey with dyslexia; that was my guess anyway. “Perfect!” I thought, making a mental note to attend.… Continue reading My book release party. Someday.
The anomaly of my story.
I almost missed it—National Brian Injury Awareness month, recognized in March. Maybe it wasn’t on my radar because I don’t talk much about my son’s brain injury; I talk of the brain tumor that caused it. They are intertwined in my story, the tumor in and the injury to his brain. Not much of my story… Continue reading The anomaly of my story.
Spring cocooning.
Happy Spring! I don't know about you, but at my house, it looks nothing like spring. We still have a good foot of snow on the lawn, with a pile of plowed snow at the end of the driveway at least four feet tall. We also have that glorious late afternoon sun that shines until past… Continue reading Spring cocooning.
Green milk and a pot o’ gold.
I posted the story below last March. All that's changed this St. Patrick's Day is that my sons are a year older, and I guess that means I am, too. It's a little late in the day for the morning tradition I describe, but never too late to enjoy a good story. I got a… Continue reading Green milk and a pot o’ gold.
