What happens when 350 people, predominantly women, truck in from all across the U.S. to spend three full days laughing (and a little crying), eating (mostly desserts), and baring their souls to each other? Magic. In a place called Dayton. That’s not a punchline. Last week, the tribe of Erma gathered once again for the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. This is a bi-annual event and we had not been summoned since 2014. That’s a long time for tribe members to be out in the world without their … [Read more...]
Have You Seen the Signs of Spring?
Spring 2016 has started to arrive and I believe I speak for many of us when I give a big ‘ol “Halleluiah!” shout out. This Florida Girl is not a fan of Old Man Winter here in VA. I become downright morose each February when I begin to feel as though I haven’t been warm since before Halloween. I can see why many of us hanging out in the Middle-Aged Cheap Seats are beginning to eye Florida as a viable retirement option (with yours truly often contemplating during the winter months why I ever … [Read more...]
What Do You Know About the Irish?
Come next week, for at least one day, EVERYONE will be Irish. Thanks to the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll be awash in green beer, bad leprechaun costumes, corned beef sandwich specials, and the sweet lyrical sound of “Oh Danny Boy” drifting out of every over-packed bar on Main Street. I’m not complaining: few ethnic groups have an entire day dedicated to a nationwide celebration of culture and heritage. I’m happy to adopt all who want to belong to my tribe. However, let’s dish a bit … [Read more...]
Do You Like to Watch?
It’s become a time honored tradition, up here in the Middle-Aged Cheap Seats, to kick up our feet toward the end of every February, cocktail in one hand and popcorn in the other, and tune in for a favorite annual event: the Academy Awards, or as they are also known as, The Oscars. I host a fun little virtual viewing party over on Facebook: our gaggle of movie geeks and nerds slog through 3 to 4 hours of what can be some of the best, and worst, entertainment for the masses. Do you also … [Read more...]
The Big Girl Panties Society: Rules for Membership
Today we have a guest that's come to hang out with us a bit in the "The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats" - so mind your manners yall! We're joined by Vikki Claflin who writes the award-winning blog, Laugh Lines: http://laugh-lines.net, where she doles out irreverent advice on marriage, offers humorous how-to lists galore, and shares her most embarrassing midlife moments. She shows us how to master midlife with laughter and common sense. The first time I heard someone say “Put on your big girl … [Read more...]
How to Survive a Blizzard Vacation
It will come as a surprise to few that I’m not a big fan of winter. This Florida gal just doesn’t have the chops to hang out in the snow. I moved to Virginia in 1995 and 8 months out of the year I love being a Virginian. But from December through March, Mother Nature can make me downright homesick for ‘ol FLA. “Oh, but that heat!” they say. “The humidity!” they moan. Yeah, well, you don’t have to shovel humidity. I’ve tried to enjoy what winter has to offer. I’ve attempted to ski – twice. … [Read more...]
Do You Know Why You Write?
Why someone puts pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard is an extraordinarily personal matter. If you ask ten people why do you write?, you’re likely to get ten very different answers. Because I write mostly creative nonfiction, my writing is particularly personal. I’ve often been asked: why do you share such intimate details of your life in your books, for all the world to see and read? My common reply: I know, that answer is kinda glib. The truth is, on any given day I’m writing for reasons … [Read more...]
To All the Days Here and After
Oh, we Irish do love our toasts. We never miss an opportunity to wax poetic about the past, the here and now, and the future. Especially this week, as we welcome 2016, I’m reviewing my repertoire of go-to ditties. I thought I’d share a few of my favorites, just in case you find yourself in need of a good tribute. Image provided courtesy of The Commons/Flickr: … [Read more...]
2016: The Year of the Great Shed
Do New Year's resolutions work for you? Nope? Me neither. My ever-present dedication to lose ten lbs, eat less junk food, exercise more, floss daily, and stay out of the sunshine unless I’m wearing SPF1000 sunscreen, somehow always seems to go by the wayside by no later than February 1st. Therefore, for 2016, I’m trying a different approach: I’m creating a doable list devoted to things I can shed/toss/throw away. Who’s with me? Image Provided Courtesy of Morgue File: … [Read more...]
How I Found My Midlife Tribe
This week, I did something I’ve been waiting to do since April 13th, 2014: I registered for the 2016 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop (EBWW). EBWW only happens every other year and when the last one ended in 2014, I knew I would be going back in 2016. Why? Because in 2014 I found my tribe of funny, big-hearted, midlife women. And in midlife, it can be tough to find your peeps. In your earlier years, life readily presents opportunities for tribe building. For example, high school, for all its … [Read more...]
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