Blog
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.
“Poems are a declaration of hope in language” – Maya Chung voices echo, beckon, come; even tree frogs sing, cicadae’s fiddle, coyotes howl. If we but sit quietly, listen attentively, though we believe…
Read More
People talk often about how children are our future, and I expect we all like to think we do well by our children. But recent events make me believe we as a country must do…
Read More
A line of stalactite icicles dangle from the eaves of our house this year, icicles thick and thin, long and short, like a line of daggers both deadly and beautiful. It takes just the right…
Read More
I turned 75 this year, an age I’ve looked forward to. It’s a cool number, don’t you think? Since I’ve arrived here with good health, good family and friends, and an active mind, I consider…
Read MoreI’ve undertaken a new creative venture – poetry. Inspired by Poetry Palooza, a poetry-focused event I attended last April, I’ve joined friends who are also interested in giving poetry a try. Most people I mention…
Read More
Back to school is an exciting time. New books. New subjects to learn. New friends to make. I went back to school this fall, too, but not as a student. Now, I teach. My students…
Read More
Human rights have been under attack in Iowa. The onslaught of abortion bans, book bans, and laws targeting LGBTQ+ children – all laws passed by the Iowa legislature this year – has been soul crushing.…
Read More
We are in the third, maybe fourth, year of drought here in Iowa. Capricious rains tease us into thinking the drought may be over, but there’s no denying the affect of too little water on…
Read More
I’m always delighted to learn something new. Even better when I’m totally surprised by the discovery. This week, I was surprised and delighted to find that a plant I’d always considered nothing more than a…
Read More“What epitaph do you want on your tombstone?” the workshop facilitator asked. After a little thought, I scribbled down, “She Had No Regrets.” At that time I’d recently experienced a moment of clarity about my…
Read More