My Secret Gratitude

My Secret Gratitude

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude” Karl Barth

This time of year, we’re bombarded with the concept of thanksgiving. The word can be found everywhere from scripted print on paper plates to decorative wall hangings. As the month of November marches on, grocery stores experience tidal waves of frantic shoppers, carts full of traditional food-fixings including, of course, the loved frozen solid turkey. Home cooks new at the Thanksgiving meal game have a certain terror in their eyes. The promise made to never volunteer to host the holiday again can be detected as if tattooed across a forehead. I speak from experience, some Thanksgivings the thing I’m most thankful for is not what I’m proud to share. My secret gratitude is that: the cooking is done, the meal is over, dishes are done, and everyone has gone home!

Food Writing and Sweet Iced Tea

Food Writing and Sweet Iced Tea

I’m taking an on-line class. I’ve taken them before and have finally managed to maneuver my way through the online class components of Blackboard and submitting my homework. My daughter, a professor at the university level teaches online courses is proud of my success. Me too. 

This time I’ve got myself taking a class from Gotham Writers School. There is an in-seat program where students meet at the school located in NYC. They offer all kinds of writing courses from Playwriting to Novels. They also have a large selection of online classes. 

 My course is called, Food Writing.

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The Ending in Row 22

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The Ending in Row 22

I was heading home. My travels took me from a small airport to a larger hub, then a flight to my city. I was mentally prepared for a whole day of travel which included a two hour time change, where I was on the losing side. I’ve flown this route before, so I was not expecting any surprises. My only wish was to avoid chatty seat mates so I could relax and read.

It was time to board, and I proceed down the tiny aisle to discover row 22, a rear of the plane, aisle seat. It was a single, only one seat, so happily I buckled up, no other seat next to me. Across the small aisle were to be the other passengers of row 22, seats for two. We would be taking off shortly, as most all passengers were seated and ready to go.

I didn’t see the women come down the aisle, but noticed she seemed to make a crash landing into her seat directly across from me, at row 22. What happened next was shocking.

My New Club! I'm a Grandma Now!

My New Club! I'm a Grandma Now!

Last month I entered a club I’ve been waiting to get passage into for years. I have many friends who are members in good standing, some, many times over. I’m a freshman of only 4 weeks and it’s been glorious.

I’ve become a grandma. It’s as splendid as all those who have taken this role before me say it is. There is something too magnificent for words to watch a new life come into this world. With amazement the doctor announced, “I see a head!” and the next thing, a little tiny 5 pound baby girl slipped into her arms. What a joy unspeakable.

Here's How You Can Help...

Here's How You Can Help...

September 25th is right around the corner!

That's the day we’re celebrating the release of the audiobook version of my book, Hello Nobody: Standing at the Door Alone - What to Do When Everything Changes.

The Kindle version will be FREE for the first 3 days! If you’re willing to download the FREE Kindle version (or purchase the paperback), I’ll need folks to leave honest reviews of the book on Audible or on Amazon, whichever is easiest for you.

I Survived 3 Days in a Closet - How I Recorded My Audiobook

I Survived 3 Days in a Closet - How I Recorded My Audiobook

I never had much to do with my closet, until I was trapped in it for three days! Before I explain myself you must know my closet.  It’s pretty large, especially for one person. When I give a tour of my house to someone who is a first time visitor, my closet seems to have a “wow” factor to it. It’s not movie-star spectacular or anything remotely close, but for an average person, it could be used as a small bedroom, or an office, or a nursery without windows.  I have upper and lower clothes racks and built in shelving surrounding the room. There’s a built in linen closet and I added an antique dresser that provides closet drawers in a lovely way. A cherry wood boudoir chair with a pink velvet upholstered seat makes perfect sitting to pull on boots or stand on to reach high shelving.

The other factor about my closet, besides its roomy size is the amount of clothes I have hanging.  Years and of dresses, tops and pants in a range of sizes are collected, waiting for a call to action.  I know shoulder pads left the scene years ago, and who am I kidding I will never be a size 8 again, so the question is, “why?” don’t I purge.  Now I’m ready. After 3 full days of staring at the full racks and hangers I’m ready to fill bins and give these dead soldiers a new home.   

Always take home as many stories as you do photos.

Always take home as many stories as you do photos.

I never thought I would find a new motto for myself printed on a hotel room card. CitizenM Hotel finds itself perched on a corner property adjacent to the Charles De Gaul airport in Paris.  This hotel is one of those rare finds that becomes a traveling favorite. The room key card is designed to look like a luggage tag with the quote to take home stories printed across the top. CitizenM Hotels are found in New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Glasgow, recommended, if you are ever in those particular cities.  I’ve only stayed at the Paris property.

I’m fortunate to have a neighbor who owns a travel company. She caters to small groups and designs excursions to more than just places.  The trips, no matter to Cuba, Greece, Italy, Portugal, or France become an experience of meeting locals and discovering someone else's part of the world.   Because of her, I’ve visited spots I would never have been brave enough to venture to alone. I’ve met people in far away places that make my world bigger.

My Latest new Find: Bella Grace Magazine

My Latest new Find: Bella Grace Magazine

I’ve discovered a most interesting magazine. Actually, to call it a magazine is a put down, this publication is masterful.  Have you ever heard of Bella Grace?

One day I was sitting in a bookstore enjoying the collection of house decorating publications I amassed as inspiration for my new house.  The bookstore cafe tempted me with a coffee and a sweet treat. I settled into a comfortable spot; the afternoon was leisurely, a place to enjoy my own company.  After more than an hour, my mug emptied, my plate of crunchy cookies reduced to a few crumbs, I started to make two stacks; for purchase and one to return to the shelf.

Then I saw it. It stood alone on a rack near the cafe.  

What to Do When You Feel Lost

What to Do When You Feel Lost

I’ve been on the lookout for things to fill my comfort zone.  I realized one today, my car GPS is a comfort to me. I’m more confident as a person, not hindered by my lack of direction.  I consider myself directionally-challanged and have no problem admitting it. I simply don’t have a “big-picture.” In describing driving directions to someone, I give landmarks, not compass points.  I have no idea if I live on the northeast side of town or not. Even if I did, that information wouldn’t give me any clue or concept of where I belong.