Monthly Archives: June 2019

“Compassion is a verb.”   Thich Nhat Hanh The renowned Vietnamese monk and author Thich Nhat Hanh is not rewriting the rules of grammar here. Instead, I believe he’s conveying  something much more important to us as writers: He’s inviting us … Continue reading →

“When you are with somebody you love the smallest, smallest things can be so important, so amusing because love transforms the world, everything. And was that what had happened?” Alexander McCall Smith, The Right Attitude to Rain Alexander (one of … Continue reading →

This week’s “Something Wonderful” is a lovely poem in celebration of Father’s Day. It reminds me of dipping my hand into the pocket of my father’s overcoat when I was a little girl and finding all sorts of treasures: My … Continue reading →

“There are significant moments in everyone’s day that can make literature.                        That’s what you ought to write about.”   Raymond Carver “When one is highly alert to language, then nearly everything begs to be a poem.”              James Tate One friend to … Continue reading →

Tennis is not a sport I watch much. But this past weekend, I was lucky enough to see poetry in motion: Rafael Nadal winning his 12th French Open. Rafael is a legendary presence on the tennis court and after watching … Continue reading →

Wow! What a night at the Tony’s! This past Sunday, Ali Stroker won a Tony for her groundbreaking star turn as Ado Annie in the revival of Oklahoma! Not only is she a fabulous singer, she’s also a “total trailblazer” … Continue reading →

Here’s an upcoming contest some of you may want to consider: the North Street Book Prize for Self-Published Books. Sponsored by Winning Writers, a well-established literary site, the contest will award $3,000 in cash to a grand prize winner. Six … Continue reading →

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”   Marcel Proust This weekend was special for me, because I spent it with my beautiful sister Stephanie. Who could … Continue reading →

Serene will be our days and bright, And happy will our nature be, When love is an unerring light, And joy its own security. — William Wordsworth  

“Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”                   Barbara Kingsolve “The things you are passionate about are … Continue reading →