Like Driving a Car at Night
Writing and Driving and Life E. L. Doctorow once said that “writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” This passage from Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird came to mind while driving with my 15 year old last night. We were talking about growing … Continue reading Like Driving a Car at Night
The Gifts of Being a Writer
There are so many gifts of being a writer – today I am focused on the physical gifts given to me by those who cherish my writer heart. Continue reading The Gifts of Being a Writer
Spelling Tuesday
“…you can’t help respecting anyboy who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right; but spelling isn’t everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn’t count.” A.A. Milne (Rabbit speaking about Owl) What does count? Today I’m focusing on a phrase in the Tao te Ching I read this morning, the end of a stanza. “Do your work, then step back. The … Continue reading Spelling Tuesday
The Universe Inside
So there I was zooming down the neural pathways and superhighways of my brain and I remembered that I’d seen somewhere that the insides of our brains look remarkably like the vastness of the universe. Continue reading The Universe Inside
In Proportion, Always, to the Capacity for Delight
“The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.” ~ Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way Continue reading In Proportion, Always, to the Capacity for Delight
Invite the New Kid to Sit at Your Table
Then he said, “I sent a message out to the friend group that I’m inviting a new kid to eat lunch with us tomorrow. One of the friends responded, ‘Everybody be nice. Make sure he feels included. Don’t let him feel left out.’” Continue reading Invite the New Kid to Sit at Your Table
“Can Music Save Your Mortal Soul…”
I love how much art and music envelop us at every turn, and how the boys have learned to channel their own feelings through art and music to take the edge off of some of those overpowering emotions. They know they are not alone in their highs and lows, because they listen to musicians who can speak their pains or their joys and allow their listeners to feel the connection and the parallels. Continue reading “Can Music Save Your Mortal Soul…”
Always, “Forever!”
Honestly, the other day in a really long line at the grocery store, I ended up talking with the woman behind me, the woman in front of me, and the checker gal. We all had so much fun together, laughing and complimenting one another. I walked outside to put my groceries away and thought, “What would be so wrong with telling them I’d like to know them more and hang out?” Well, it would be weird, of course. Continue reading Always, “Forever!”
The Painted Ladies
They were the original reason I fell in love with San Francisco in the first place. I saw a 2” x 2” picture of these houses in black and white in an encyclopedia when I was 14, and fell head over heels in love with a city I knew nothing about. Continue reading The Painted Ladies
Remembering
The image of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Germany (cover photo) is a place of contemplation, a place of remembrance and warning. It is close to the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin. If you understand what it represents, it can be haunting. If not, it seems almost restful. Continue reading Remembering
Music Heard so Deeply, That it is Not Heard at All
For most of us, there is only the unattended
Moment, the moment in and out of time,
The distraction fit, lost in a shaft of sunlight,
The wild thyme unseen, or the winter lightning
Or the waterfall, or music heard so deeply
That it is not heard at all, but you are the music
While the music lasts.
*T.S. Eliot, line from The Dry Salvages, out of Four Quartets Continue reading Music Heard so Deeply, That it is Not Heard at All
Mystified by the Ways of Your Heart
This is a Tribute to the Lovingest Person I ever knew: Phyllis Extraordinaire! Continue reading Mystified by the Ways of Your Heart
Shivering Gargoyle
Inspired by dVerse Poets Pub Quadrille Challenge – a 44 word poem of any style. https://dversepoets.com They may send a shudder down our spines in all their grotesque glory. They can appeal to our dark side, our burning desire for Dracula’s romance and black lace. Or as they sit covered in snow, we sip our coffee and shiver with them. Continue reading Shivering Gargoyle
It is well
Especially if they are ordinary, common words, but dancing on the page in a way that sweeps me up and pulls me into another sphere, that is a gifted writer. And I will stop, and hold the book to my chest, and sigh, and hold onto the moment for a moment. Continue reading It is well
Tears Cresting and Falling – Moved by Literature and Theatre
So, tears come easily perhaps. And the pain others put into story form, to allow others to see into their world, see what their challenges and struggles were, see what they rose up from, what brought them to their knees – I feel these things deeply. Continue reading Tears Cresting and Falling – Moved by Literature and Theatre
Clearing Space
There is wisdom in these woods. It is time to begin again. Continue reading Clearing Space
Body in Motion
My mood is always more settled, almost nestled in and snug and happy, when I am tending to the needs of my soul. Continue reading Body in Motion
Imitation and Flattery
I’ll try something new and sit back and enjoy the view. Because in this case, this IS my circus, and these ARE my monkeys, and they are a rollicking good time! Continue reading Imitation and Flattery
In the Silence
And it dawns on me. The lesson. These things happen sometimes when something someone says intrigues me so, that I want to ponder it, mull it over, hold it in my hand and carry it like a talisman until its wisdom breaks open for me. Continue reading In the Silence
They Became My Partners in Joy
It took work on my part to shed some layers of negativity and remember my somewhat bohemian wildness and happiness, my inner childishness, to allow myself to look silly in front of my kids. Continue reading They Became My Partners in Joy
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
So, within a week of one another, both my 13yo and my 16yo have had their hearts broken. They process things very differently. My youngest is open with me. My older one is shut down. I want so much to help, but know I have to let them have their feelings. Their dad is great at giving them a laugh every now and then. And … Continue reading While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Nature’s Cathedral
We talked about the power of nature to heal our souls, to refresh them, and cleanse them from the dust of every day life. Continue reading Nature’s Cathedral
What Does it Mean to be a Hero?
My 13yo son asked me a question last night. He turned to me and asked, “What does it mean to be a hero? Do you have to save someone’s life to be a hero?” Continue reading What Does it Mean to be a Hero?
They Don’t Want What We Want, by Asking Alexandra
Do you listen intently to the words of songs your kids listen to – the stations, the kinds of music they like?
Continue reading They Don’t Want What We Want, by Asking Alexandra
“Days of Soup and Holler,” ~ My New Book!
“Where can I pick up your book?” you ask. Here are some happy links for you – it’s available online wherever you would normally order books (most likely). Bloomsbury Books in Ashland – – Powell’s in Portland – – Strand Books in New York – – Barnes & Noble – – Amazon I got to see her triumph and fall apart. I wept and cheered … Continue reading “Days of Soup and Holler,” ~ My New Book!