Okay, today I’m going to talk about fears because, I don’t know about you, but I’ve been pretty afraid lately. Spiders. Full stop. Now while this might seem like an ordinary fear, let me explain why I’m so freaked out by spiders. When I was sixteen, my parents took me along on a vacation in the Catskill Mountains in New York State. I shared a room with Eileen, the ten-year-old daughter of my parents’ friends. She went to bed early, and her mother left the light on for me. When I opened the door to the bedroom, the walls and Read More
Category: General Musings
Reflections on life in general.
Did I Really Say That?
I’ve been thinking about language lately. Maybe because we’ve just celebrated Pentecost, maybe because I’m at the point in the revision of my book where I’m word-smithing. Every. Single. Word. Maybe because with all the social justice marches taking place, I realize more than ever how much language matters. When I taught high school literature classes there was always the inevitable lesson on conflict, and I would write on the chalkboard (yes, I’m that old) the following: Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Supernatural Man vs. Society Man vs. Self Man vs. Technology It was a standard basis Read More
How I’m Staying Sane During the Stay at Home Order – Part II
As I said last week in How I’m Staying Sane During the Stay at Home Order – Part I, I thrive on structure. I think it’s because during my teaching career, my days were so structured that I knew I could use the restroom at 11:55 a.m. and lunch would last from 12-12:20. I do not exaggerate. In this post, I in no way mean to dismiss or minimize the emotions many of you are experiencing right now. I, too, fight this fear and have to intentionally keep myself as positive as possible, and it’s exhausting. I’m just sharing what Read More
5 Ways I’m Staying Sane During the Pandemic – Part I
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. This is a strange time we live in, and we require new coping mechanisms. Since I work from home, my adjustment probably isn’t as great as yours might be. Still, not being able to hop in my car and go to the bookstore/office supply store/hairdresser, etc. is bizarre. In an eerie way, for me, knowing I can’t do these things is worse than not being able to do them. I knew early on that I would need some structure—I thrive on structure—to carry me through. Here are some ways Read More
My Top 9 Books from 2019
Why 9 instead of 10? Because everybody does Top 10. I wanted to change it up a little. My reading goal for 2019 was to read more non-fiction, and am I ever glad I did. The books I read enlightened, challenged, and amazed me. Here are my top 9 reads from last year. Non-fiction Dare to Lead by Brene Brown I figured Dare to Lead would help in my role as secretary for my writing chapter. The benefits of this book extend far beyond any role in leadership. Brene Brown’s insights on how we behave based on our vulnerability was Read More