I live two lives, one as a writer of books and the other as a blogger. I love both. The memoir I’ve been working on has been intensely satisfying. But to complete the memoir, I’ve obliged my readers to live on blog re-runs. I am thankful for their patience. During the in
Happy to say the memoir I’ve been working on is now in the hands of an editor, and I can return to my blog. Thank you all for sticking with the re-runs and for you patience. But before I return to my usual routine of social comment, I want to extend an invitation to all writ
I have in my mind an idea for a short memoir about my three-and-a- half years abroad. During that time, I taught everything from biology to the American Revolution in English schools, one in the Midlands and the other in Essex. Holidays brimmed with foreign adventure until I cam
It was a dark and stormy night…. Well, it was a sunny afternoon, actually. I was browsing through publishers’ listings for a short story I wanted to sell. That’s when I saw a call for original, but previously published, fairy tales. Not what I was looking for, but I’
Let me tell you about my work day. I do so because I wish to make a point. My mornings begin at my computer, preferably before 10 am. I practice this ritual 7 days a week. Monday through Friday, I compose essays that will appear later as one of my blogs. Composing oc
Clutter can be a sign of a creative mind at work. Clive Thompson writes that a person with pack rat behavior may have an effective “organizational strategy.” Call it, “serendipity.” (“Clutter Clash,” by Clive Thompson, Wired, March 2016, pg. 49.) When disparate
A new chapter has opened for the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris. (Blog 12/30/14) Having endured the German invasion of World War II, this bookstore, home to waves of struggling and famous writers, would have died with its owner, Sylvia Beach, if George Whitman hadn
A friend who knew I was unacquainted with the work of children’s writer Shel Silverstein gave me one of his books recently: “The Giving Tree.” Amused I breezed through it, even read it aloud as if to entertain the child inside me. But when I closed the cover, I
Not long ago, a blog reader wrote that the titles of my essays often hooked her into reading the text. But of course! That is my intention and I especially like it when I can draw a connection between my humble text and the work of a great artist. Unfortunately, the new dictat
The other day I found my quilter friend at the retirement center working on a machine, stitching leafy patterns over her latest creation. Fascinated, I stood breathing over her should until she stopped to ask if I wanted to learn the process. “Yes, please,” I blurted out before