Blog

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As a curious observer of life, I blog on writing, marketing, my prairie - anything that interests me in the moment. I like to have conversations with readers, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I'll respond.

Language barrier? Don't the Irish speak English?

By Carol / 14 June 2016 /

International travel can be a challenge, especially if you don’t speak the local language or do so minimally. One of the advantages to traveling to Ireland is that they speak English, right? Yes and no.…

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Clocks, stoves and life & death coincidences

By Carol / 07 June 2016 /

As a child, I grew up singing a song about a clock that counted the seconds of a man’s life. “My Grandfather’s Clock” – Are you familiar with it? The refrain goes like this: “Ninety…

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Murals fuel & memorialize Irish conflict

By Carol / 31 May 2016 /

Murals as a form of political, social, and cultural expression rose in importance during “The Troubles” – a 30-year conflict that began in 1968 and divided Northern Ireland. Though The Troubles more or less ended…

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How important is “place” in writing?

By Carol / 24 May 2016 /

My recent trip to Ireland has me thinking again about the importance of place to a writer. Ireland has a rich written history, including literary greats James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and W.B. Yates. Those names…

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How important is staying plugged in?

By Carol / 02 May 2016 /

“Is it plugged in?” That was the first question tech support always asked back when computers were new and I called to find out why the alien on my desk wouldn’t work. Dutifully, I’d untangle…

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Courage – Would you have enough?

By Carol / 27 April 2016 /

Harriet Tubman. Oskar Shindler. Esther. People iconic for their courage and the bold actions they took to save the lives of others, actions that put their own lives at risk. Every time I hear a…

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You just never know

By Carol / 13 April 2016 /

If you just spent four years in college to become a teacher, would you take a secretarial position instead? I did and found myself on a path loaded with unexpected opportunities. After graduating in 1972…

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How important is the frame?

By Carol / 29 March 2016 /

A few years ago, as I walked the Crystal Bridges Art Museum grounds, I spotted a single picture frame set on posts in the middle of a soccer-sized field. Intrigued, I walked out to look…

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Taking writing on the road

By Carol / 21 March 2016 /

Writing can be a solitary business. When I’m working on a writing project, as I am now with my novel in progress, I get to my keyboard each day by 9 a.m. and do my…

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Iowa Caucus yields host of winners

By Carol / 03 February 2016 /

I woke this morning with a profound sense of peace. In spite of blizzard force winds raging overnight, it was remarkably quiet. Political ads no longer filled the airwaves. Campaign text messages no longer flooded…

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