Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
A college admissions scandal, in which celebrities, and others (over 40 people), paid to have fraudulent information included in their children’s applications, is a telling reminder of how under-valued integrity is in our society. The news of this scandal is disturbing for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that […]
Recently, my husband and I had the misfortune to sit near a family with four children at a local restaurant. The problem was not with the children, but with the parents, who were, at best, critical, and at worst, verbally abusive. One child, the oldest girl, was the main target of criticism, but the other […]
Several months ago, I saw a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. Presented by a small cast with very little set design and minimal props, the play accurately conveyed the story of Pip, an orphan who was given a chance to move beyond humble beginnings. Although the story line is complex, one thing that […]
Last year, my daughter experienced a sudden, critical health crisis. Despite rapid treatment, a significant vision deficit resulted. Over the next weeks and months, she navigated limitations and learned ways around them. In the process, other senses sharpened and she cultivated reliance on multiple stimuli for compensation and perception. Following are some insights regarding vision: […]
Have you ever experienced that odd sensation of moving when you are actually totally still? This sensation occurs when you have just pulled into a parking space while the person beside you is backing out. For a few seconds, you lose perspective, and although you have stopped, the movement of the person beside you makes […]
A number of legends exist about the origin of Valentine’s Day. One story is tied to the Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia. Another traces the origin to a priest named Valentine, who defied the Roman emperor’s ban on marriage for young soldiers and performed weddings in secret ceremonies. Another legend suggests Valentine was imprisoned for helping […]
What do you think of when you hear the word “hospitality?” Do think inviting friends to your home for dinner, or do you see visions of large hotel complexes and the hospitality industry? When I hear the word “hospitality,” I think of my mama. Whether an elaborate Christmas gathering with decorations, candles, and “party food” […]
My mother was a skilled and talented seamstress. She made elaborate draperies and table clothes without patterns, and designed and made her own clothes and many of mine. Her skill at altering clothes to fit was amazing and she was able to accurately hold colors in her mind and find accessories that perfectly matched and […]
My father was born January 19, 1919, during the Spanish flu pandemic that claimed over 500,000 lives. A few days following his birth, my father, and his mother, contracted flu. Both were extremely ill, but survived. My grandmother had two children before daddy’s birth and six more children after. My grandfather, father, and his two […]
When my children were growing up, and something they’d committed to became challenging, their inclination was to quit. Unless additional factors came into play, I encouraged them to continue to completion because I knew their feelings of frustration or being overwhelmed would likely subside in a few days. Additionally, I wanted to teach them the […]