With the Olympic Games starting soon, the excitement is palpable. Athletes coming together from around the globe is an amazing thing–conceptually, emotionally, and logistically. And even though the main goal is competition, so many other aspects can be marvelous to witness. The races, matches, and events themselves can be thrilling to watch, of course. The demonstration of talent and determination can be impressive and inspirational. … Continue reading Olympics Week is Here!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about difficult long-term projects: how much endurance they require, how there are points where the desired outcome seems impossible, and how giving up may actually seem like the logical (and more attractive) option. For example, in my teaching job, it has been necessary to produce scholarship. Here’s how that process has tended to go. Have jolt of awareness that … Continue reading a marathon, not a sprint

Dear Kit Maker: Just found this picture in my photos and had a minute of confusion. Then it all came flooding back… Ah yes, the Great Cape Kit Conundrum. Initially, when I saw this at the store, I thought: hey, a cape kit seems like a cool idea! It could come in handy for costumes! (The kids seemed to have endless opportunities for dressing up … Continue reading Just a Friendly Note (kit edition)

The day of the total eclipse has arrived! It has been suggested that eclipses affect us psychologically: the moments of darkness can be deeply unsettling but thrilling–and enhance our sense of being human/connected to others. I have been registering varying levels of interest both online and offline, ranging from great enthusiasm to shrugs. One news channel has had a countdown clock going for days while … Continue reading It’s Here…

The sequel to In Good Company, a previous compilation of quotes, follows…many of these offer advice that could apply to more than writing! There is no perfect time to write.  There’s only now. ~ Barbara Kingsolver You fail only if you stop writing. ~ Ray Bradbury Actually, every time we begin, we wonder how we did it before. Each time is a new journey with … Continue reading In Good Company Again

Let’s begin by establishing that I am a person who wonders about things quite a lot. My husband, who is much calmer than I am in practically every way (unless he’s watching sports), has helped me realize that not everyone has the need to question, like, everything. It’s useful in some ways–I believe that being curious about something is a genuine path to discovery. And … Continue reading Just wondering. Again.

Mysteries happen all the time. Even to mild-mannered college professors. At work. (This is a true story.) After class one day, I went to my office to catch up on some grading. On the floor in the hallway, there was a small, saucer-shaped pod with what looked like a puddle of oil underneath. I yelped at the sight of it, and my neighboring colleague came … Continue reading Mysteries Everywhere

The first year we lived in our current house, it felt as though we’d been transported to Disneyland for Halloween–people up and down the street decked out their homes with oversized decorations and all sorts of curious items that spewed mist or growled sporadically or otherwise scared trick-or-treaters. Spooky music was blasted from various houses and neighbors dressed in elaborate costumes. There was a fantastic … Continue reading It’s Halloween Season

Usually, I adore a good stroll down the office supply aisle. There’s something deeply comforting about looking at a colorful selection of writing utensils and notebooks. (That’s not just a writer thing, right?) But August means that it’s time to take a deep breath and gear up for the Great Obstacle Course also known as school-supply shopping! Every year, we lurch around the store, while … Continue reading That Time of Year Again

  Ah, summer.  Just the thought of it summons visions of beach romps, picnics, cookouts, concerts, camping, hiking, swimming, and more. Long days and lovely starry nights. But there’s something else, too: the expectation that when the season arrives, we will have fun. No matter what we’re doing, summer always brings a glamorous shimmer of potential. We spend time during the rest of the year … Continue reading Hello, Summer