When I was in high school I worked for a large grocery, one that was actually a Supermarket before Supermarkets became vogue. This chain had one of the first gourmet coffee centers and I was assigned to that department. “What would you recommend,” or “What does this taste like?” were common questions. To which I inevitably answered, “I don’t know. … Read More
Passing It On…
Pass it On… I can’t say for sure how many years ago I first noticed the inspirational billboards that moved me emotionally. We spent ten years traveling roads that connect cities throughout the north, south, and central United States. Our family traveling together to support one of its member’s dreams. I distinctly remember trying to catch the fine print as … Read More
The Scent of Rape, A Digging for the Light Excerpt
I recently wrote (Not) God’s Plan, God’s Will, or Divine Intervention in response to Richard Mourdock’s statement that pregnancy from rape was part of God’s plan. I talk about the rape in Digging for the Light. Below is an excerpt from that work, which is looking for an agent and a publishing home… Pass it along. J * * * … Read More
The Space Between Luck and Misfortune
Well, fellow Journeyers, I’ve done it! After more hours than I wish to recognize, I have finally pieced together my first video. The idea came to me when I discovered Washington, DC’s TEDxWomen and their theme for this year’s conference. The Space Between… I immediately thought of my piece Finding Four-Leaf-Clover-Kind-of-Luck in Shit. And The Space Between Luck and Misfortunewas … Read More
On Marital Discord, Part III: Tips for Staying Together in Spite of Strife
As far back as March, journalists began talking about a Maria/Arnold reunion. And a few days ago, HuffPost Celebrity reported that Maria was recently seen wearing what looks like a wedding band. Is she taking Arnold Schwarzenegger back?The headline teases. These thoughts simultaneously ran through my mind. Who cares? Just leave them alone. And yet, I find myself watching. Secretly … Read More
Every Day a New Story Begins, Part II: Senseless and a Digging for the Light Excerpt
“It’s senseless,” she said, before they parted ways. Two women were talking about the unexpected death of a mutual friend. She was sixty-three years old. A mother. Grandmother. Wife. Friend. Vibrant and working one day. Gone the next. Poof! A new story begins. One where the person’s stories will now be spun by those who love her. Those who are … Read More
Joan Didion, Abigail Thomas, and Writing Lists, Memos, Messages
In the past two days, I have written the following: · Numerous text and e-mail responses. · Numerous text and e-mail correspondences. · Two hand-written notes to send in the mail. One to my son. One to the mail lady. · Messages on two birthday cards. · Lengthy responses to an application to speak at a TEDx event. · An e-mail to administration … Read More
The Rearview Mirror
View from My Rearview Mirror “You’ve got to quit looking in the rearview mirror.”Last June, when I was feeling overwhelmed by the Hamster-Wheel month and a little depression, I had my first appointment with The Therapist. I told her I needed to work on figuring out the cause of the ongoing anger and conflict I seemed to have regarding my … Read More
Little White Pills and a Digging for the Light Excerpt
When I popped the top on the little orange bottle this morning, I noticed that I have only about a week’s rations left of my antidepressant. As I swallowed the little white pill, two things came to mind. I thought about a piece from my manuscript Digging for the Light. And I wondered if I want to renew the prescription … Read More
Digging for the Light, Excerpt 1
My last post was about hummingbirds and was included in the Happy Happenssegment of this blog.The following excerpt relates to the day after my Gavin’s first birthday, my second Mother’s Day. * * * The date was Sunday, May 12, 1991. Mother’s Day. I spent that day, the one that should have been my second Mother’s Day, weeping.Over a … Read More