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.

Loving winter in Iowa

By Carol / 10 January 2010 /

I’ve always admired Minnesotans for how they embrace winter. I admit I waffle on the subject of winter.  I love it. Or not. A couple of years ago, I vowed to go out every day.…

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Listening to the winter quiet

By Carol / 27 December 2009 /

I returned from a pre-dawn walk through three inches of new powder, breathless from the exertion, warm in spite of frigid temperatures, the sound of snow crunching with every step.  The snowplows hadn’t passed yet,…

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The real deal

By Carol / 10 December 2009 /

Nature dumped 15+ inches of snow on Des Moines this week. Fifteen inches of snow followed by winds gusting to 50 miles per hour. Snow swirled in whiteout waves. Drifts mounded up to window ledges.…

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A holiday story

By Carol / 26 November 2009 /

I have always believed that Thanksgiving dinner is simultaneously the easiest and most difficult meal to make. Easiest because there is no wondering what will be on the menu. At least at our house, the…

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Be brave!

By Carol / 16 October 2009 /

Be Brave – And mighty forces will come to your aid. Several years ago, a friend and I had coffee with Barbara Robinette Moss. This would not be so remarkable except that Moss did not…

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Keep asking

By Carol / 30 September 2009 /

“Failure is the path of least persistence.” So here we are at the same store, more than a year later. As I picked up my packages, I said, “This store would be the perfect place…

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I geek libraries

By Carol / 16 September 2009 /

I love the new library site that lets you share your passion and lets you see what sends others to their local libraries. I’m thinking more about libraries because I take to the road again…

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Writer's Block

By Carol / 11 August 2009 /

A writing buddy and I just spent four days sequestered at LaCorsette Maison Inn, a wonderful bed and breakfast in Newton, Iowa. Our intent was to write, and write we did. After an early morning…

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A week spent writing

By Carol / 26 July 2009 /

I just returned from a week at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Reveling in the energy and inspiration of spending an entire week with people who think about writing, talk about writing, love writing, and…

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The wild things

By Carol / 13 May 2009 /

“Carol! Look out in the horse pasture!” my husband yelled one morning last month. “I think that’s a coyote.” I scrambled to the window just in time to catch a clear glimpse of what was…

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