David and I are committed to the time we’ve set aside and we meet most mornings—barring the occasional event. For example, I recently had parent-teacher interviews and had to leave for school at the time I would normally be meeting with David. We always start with a “hello” and “good morning,” then ask how the... Continue Reading →
Let Me Explain
When I first started blogging, I had no idea what my focus would be. I read all the advice — endless lists of what I should do: find a niche, choose a category, define a purpose. Travel blog, wellness blog, creative blog — the suggestions blurred together. I didn’t know how that focus would find... Continue Reading →
A Note on the Risk Vs. Reward of Honesty
I have readers overseas. My cousin is one of them. She got a copy of My List, My Rules last year (tap the title to check it out), and this year while I was visiting, we chatted about it. She loved it—I’m glad. But she also asked a very interesting question that no one else... Continue Reading →
Show and Tell A Social Media Struggle
I hate show and tell so much that I’ve even stalled making a post about it for fear of resolving it and then having to show and tell! How messed is that? I’ve realized I have a massive resistance to posting on social media—especially TikTok, but really, any reel. It’s got me wondering: why am... Continue Reading →
Now That’s Exciting
In the washroom at school, over soapy hands, a colleague asked if I had any exciting plans for winter break—traveling anywhere, doing anything thrilling. "No. Nothing exciting. No. Not going anywhere." I watched the temperatures drop. Drop. Drop. And with them, my enthusiasm for anything beyond crawling into a warm, cozy cave with a hot... Continue Reading →
Write Fast. Read Slow: The Art of Purposeful Speeds
I write fast Diane Stewart, a brilliant English teacher and colleague who has long retired once said that "such and such (I'm not brave enough to name the writer she mentioned) is a good writer but his editor is better." That made me laugh, but that also gave me reason to write---Like. A. Savage. Since... Continue Reading →
I Prefer Ms.
I've been feeling restless. So, you know, that was my sign to make a list. Yeah---I'm the queen of lists. I love lists so much that I wrote a book about it. This is a shameless plug for my book (in case you didn't notice). Check it out here if you want. I'm not posting... Continue Reading →
Amor Fati
The valedictorian I've seen over 30 graduations in my career---30 valedictorian speeches. Only a couple stuck. This is one of them. The usual It was time for the valedictorian speech. Ryder Wesson was introduced as a graduate, as a student with a 98.11 GPA, and as a member of the championship football team he played... Continue Reading →
Highway Feels
Sunday night I drove back from the lake with my window down. I don't often do this. It's noisy. I can't hear the radio. My hair blows around. It's annoying. But, for whatever reason, as I drove through the quiet village streets of the lake towards the highway I didn't roll up my window---and I... Continue Reading →
What’s On Your List
I was invited to a women-only event as a vendor/woman-owned business. There were ten vendors there. I was the only author. On the table, I had my most recent book, My List, My Rules, and the award-winning young adult Shepherd and Wolfe Mystery series written by my writing partner David Gane and me. The goals... Continue Reading →