Monthly Archives: August 2021

Life is a chaos of signs and clues. We yearn for a narrative to explain the world. Religion used to do it. Elaborate conspiracy theories, aliens, and New Age wishful thinking are what some cling to now. All writing springs … Continue reading →

“Books are keys to wisdom’s treasure; Books are gates to lands of pleasure; Books are paths that upward lead; Books are friends. Come, let us read.” I came across this lovely inscription by Emilie Poulsson, created for a Children’s Reading … Continue reading →

From To A Skylark Up with me! Up with me into the clouds! For thy song, Lark, is strong; Up with me, up with me into the clouds! Singing, singing, With clouds and sky about thee ringing… — William Wordsworth

A 3-1/2-year-old son was sitting in the back seat of a car and eating an apple. Suddenly, he piped up and asked, “Daddy, why is my apple turning brown?” “Because,” his dad explained, “after you ate the skin off, the … Continue reading →

A postal clerk in Indianapolis made a discovery about her customers and coworkers—and herself—that offers hope and inspiration. A newspaper editorial asserted that her branch of the post office had “the rudest clerks in town.” This upset her. “I was … Continue reading →

“Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life, with all its sorrows, is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our … Continue reading →

“The secret of success is knowing what the best next step to take is — then taking it.” David Viscott I don’t know about you, but in my writing life, I find that that it’s easy for me to become … Continue reading →

“The professional arms himself with patience, not only to give the stars time to align in his career, but to keep himself from flaming out in each individual work. He knows that any job, whether it’s a novel or a … Continue reading →

Dandelions Over the climbing Meadows Where the swallow shadows float There are the small gold buttons On earth’s green, windy coat. — Frances Frost

“Don’t be ‘a writer,’ be writing.” William Faulkner “Writing teaches writing.” John McPhee Some more words of wisdom about putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard from “The Mindful Writer” by Dinty Moore: “How doe I become a … Continue reading →