Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
I just returned from several days in New York City for the American Society of Journalists and Authors annual conference. Attending the conference is akin to drinking from a fire hose. Information and connections came at me so fast I barely have time to swallow, much less digest, before the next flood of information washed […]
Last weekend, I held a copy of our new church history book in my hands, a project more than five years in the making. As I turned the pages, I recognized passages I had written as well as the writing of many others. I saw pictures of friends and family members no longer with us, […]
Several days ago, I pulled a wooden basket off a shelf and quickly realized the handle had deposited a splinter in my finger. It hurt, but not enough to slow down preparations for a family dinner. However, the next day, my finger demanded attention. I worked on it with a needle and some pressure and […]
One night, just as I was getting in bed, I heard the persistent whine of an alarm. After several minutes, I peeked out the window, slightly annoyed that someone was allowing the noise to continue for so long. But the sound seemed closer than a neighbor’s house. I walked down the hall and the sound […]
Spring is here in all its glory. This season, when nature dons a new green frock festooned with multicolored floral accents, is a time of warmth, renewal, and the refreshing prospect of new beginnings and hope. Perhaps winter with its drab, barren landscape, chill, and for some, illness, has taken a toll on you, and […]
When you hear the word “wisdom,” who or what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of ivy-covered halls of higher learning or the sage advice of an elder. By definition, wisdom means insight, good sense, common sense, levelheadedness, an accumulation of knowledge, the ability to discern. For some, gaining knowledge is the only component of […]
Several weeks ago, my cell phone fell out of my pocket and hit the side of a filing cabinet. When I picked it up, I saw a tiny chip at the edge of the screen. Everything seemed ok with the phone so I continued to use it, although I became aware of the need to […]
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 […]