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.

Poems are a declaration of hope

By Carol / 31 May 2024 /

  “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…

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Those Boys on the Hill book cover

How do we care for our kids?

By Carol / 13 February 2024 /

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…

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Icicles, blizzards & hanging out

By Carol / 15 January 2024 /

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…

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On turning 75

By Carol / 28 November 2023 /

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…

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A new creative venture – poetry

By Carol / 03 October 2023 /

I’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…

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back to school

Back to school – Teaching English

By Carol / 19 September 2023 /

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…

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Standing up for justice & equality

By Carol / 29 August 2023 /

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.…

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Drought-stressed Cup plant still blooms.

Drought on the prairie

By Carol / 25 August 2023 /

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…

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White man's footsteps

White man’s footsteps – weed or something more?

By Carol / 18 August 2023 /

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…

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She Had No Regrets

By Carol / 12 June 2022 /

“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…

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