Category Archives: inspiration

Happiness eludes most Americans

Posted on April 27, 2017 by

Ever since Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and declared that the pursuit of happiness was our inalienable right, many Americans have felt the need to make this pursuit their number one priority. So that must make us a happy lot. Right? … Continue reading →

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Who inspired you?

Posted on April 11, 2017 by

Who helped you find a direction, got you thinking along different lines about your future, and built your confidence along the way?  I am at the stage of life where I enjoy looking back and attempting to answer these questions. It … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, memories, personal reflections, travel | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

The satisfaction of doing it yourself

Posted on February 9, 2017 by

Have you held on to something you created earlier in your life,  maybe an elementary school finger painting or a junior high wood shop birdhouse? I have collections of greeting cards I made and never sent, and booklets I made … Continue reading →

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Suddenly I’m a fan of Chick Lit

Posted on August 3, 2016 by

I’ve pitched my novel to literary agents and editors for the past five years at the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association conference.  Over time, these professionals have been gracious, and most asked me to send them something, sometimes only a synopsis … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

When nature isn’t nurtured

Posted on April 4, 2016 by

Last week, when the rain stopped for a few days and the long-hidden sun reappeared, I decided that I couldn’t afford to let spring pass me by.  I had to get outside and out of town, even if only a … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, personal reflections | 1 Comment

Good reason to pretend to be an extrovert

Posted on March 4, 2016 by

I see myself as a closet introvert, someone who would rather stay home and read a good book and not go to a party with strangers.  Still, as I get older I find it a little easier to pretend I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, personal reflections | 4 Comments

Finding inspiration in the life of a 95-year old

Posted on January 23, 2016 by

Meet my friend Eleanor. She’s a terrific writer, former teacher, advocate for the mentally ill at city, state and national levels, addicted thrift-store shopper (though she claims to have quit cold turkey this past year), patron of the arts, and all-around … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, inspiration, intergenerational, writing | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

A different kind of self-help

Posted on August 16, 2015 by

We live in a me, me, me world. Or as the Beatles said, “I me mine.” Often, when “the me” isn’t getting its way, isn’t losing weight, getting rich, finding true love, or gaining more confidence, it turns to self-improvement … Continue reading →

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The joy of getting rid of things

Posted on July 13, 2015 by

Clutter drives me nuts, yet other than occasionally going through my closet and sending a few bags of clothing to Goodwill, I don’t do much about it. Someone who believes she has the answer to clutter is Marie Kondo, a … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, inspiration | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

How much money do you need?

Posted on July 2, 2015 by

How much money do you need? Recently someone told me that twenty million dollars was the current number being tossed around in a local football player’s contract negotiations. If you earned twenty million over a course of a few years, … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, personal reflections | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments