Yep, I know how all this works. I’m a big girl, and every time I put my stuff out into the world, I hitch up my big girl panties and prepare for the occasional troll. The sad but all-too-true fact is that being trolled comes with the territory of today’s writing scene. Image provided courtesy of Pexel.com - https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-clothes-line-trousers-past-54611/ CC0 license, free for personal and commercial use. In an odd way, to be trolled is a kind of badge of honor. … [Read more...]
What Would Donald Tweet?
Well folks, the election is finally over and we have our next elected leader. I’m not going to add to the massive collective gestalt regarding this upcoming presidency. Our Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and blog posts are clogged with commentary and I’ve seen one too many friendships come to blows over the election outcome. Please know that I’m in no way trying to be dismissive or disrespectful of anyone’s beliefs, attitudes, concerns, or fears. And, of course I have my opinions – I’m Irish, … [Read more...]
The View from the Sidelines Is A Changin
The running back weaves across the field with the football pinned securely in his right side. He dodges past a not-quite-fast-enough outside linebacker and streaks down the edge of the sideline toward the end zone. 10… 5… the ref throws his arms straight up toward the sky as the runner crosses the goal line. TOUCHDOWN! What’s particularly remarkable and wonderful about this upcoming fall weekend tradition? That ref could be a woman. The football field has conventionally not been a … [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...]
Stray Dogs & Ugly Pumpkins
(Because I'm traveling this week, I"m featuring one of my favorite previous posts - updated just a bit.) I love Fall. Cooler weather, colorful leaves, and the first fire in the fireplace all make me happy. One of my favorite Fall rituals: local harvest festivals. I’m a sucker for bales of hay, tractor rides, and apple cider. Perhaps this is my preferred time of year because I grew up in Florida, where there are only two seasons: tourist and hurricane. At a local fall festival last weekend … [Read more...]
Stray Dogs and Ugly Pumpkins
I love Fall. Cooler weather, colorful leaves, and the first fire in the fireplace all make me happy. One of my favorite fall rituals: local harvest festivals. I’m a sucker for bales of hay, tractor rides, and apple cider. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Florida where there are only two seasons: tourist and hurricane. At a local fall festival last weekend I was searching through the pumpkin patch, looking for the ugliest pumpkin I could find. My gal pal Kathi laughed at this – “Why the … [Read more...]
Fifty is the New Fifty
Thanks to Geraldo Rivera's now infamous Too. Much. Information tweet-pic of his seventy-year-old naked torso – and he damn near showed us Christmas and ALL the presents – I’ve noticed quite a bit of conjecture by the media regarding age, aging, anti-aging, youth, beauty, and wrinkles. Under headlines such as “Is Seventy the New Fifty?” everyone seems to be professing new benchmarks such as forty is the new thirty or fifty is the new forty. Here’s an idea – how about we all try this one on … [Read more...]
For the Love of Gal Pals
I’ve often been called a “guy’s gal.” This is usually – I think – meant as a compliment. There are some stereotypically masculine pursuits that I do enjoy and which often lead me to rattling around in the boys’ club house. For example, I LOVE football. I’ve followed the Dolphins since 1972 and as many of you know, I am a somewhat crazed FSU fan – GO NOLES! I can fish, tell jokes (yes, especially dirty ones), and have been known to go shot for shot with the gentlemen at the bar. I have yet to … [Read more...]
Mysteries of the Universe
There are things in the universe I just don’t understand. Actually, I’m keeping a list of the things I don’t understand – no surprise here being that I’m a Virgo; we love lists. I have this plan – of course I have a plan; see previous Virgo reference – that when I get to the pearly gates, St. Peter (aka “Heaven’s Bouncer”) is going to ask me “Do you have any questions before you proceed?” I’m going to be ready to reply, “Why yes, since you asked…” Here are some of the top secrets of the … [Read more...]
