Yesterday I realized it’s been five months since we began our self-imposed quarantine. That’s probably true for many of you, as well. Other than a few medical appointments and walks on the beach where we can socially distance, we haven’t gone anywhere. I’m including a photo from our most recent walk because what else can…

Last week I blogged about writing during the pandemic, citing my own experiences and those I’ve gathered from other conversations. I ended that blog by asking if the pandemic will show up in fiction and how. Of course, none of us can predict the future, but I asked three writer friends for their thoughts. Judith…

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” Robert Burns Plans or Schemes? While we often talk about best laid “plans”, today I like “schemes,” from the original quote by Robert Burns, especially as it pertains to today’s blog. Novelists are schemers more than planners. After all we tell lies for…

So what sparks joy in your life? OK, let’s start in your closet. That’s where Marie Kondo begins her tantalizing revolution, tangled up with the socks and undies. Marie Kondo is of course the author of the tidying up books that have become amazingly popular. She teaches us how to organize our closets using a…

For the first time in a long time I did book signings this summer and fall. Delightful Summer Signings My publisher assigned an enthusiastic new publicist to A Family of Strangers, and she arranged three signings as the book debuted. Two were out of town, lots of fun and productive. One was in Maryland pictured…

Sometimes best laid plans should be discarded. We spent yesterday with our oldest grandson. Liam, seven, had another day off from school, so my husband and I bopped down to Ohio to spend it with him. Last month we had the pleasure of spending a day with Liam, too, and as part of it we…

This morning as I scooped homemade yogurt into a plastic container to enjoy for the rest of the week, I thought about all the things I do the long way, starting from scratch. Granted, making homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot is as easy as slipping on flip flops. I do it, at least partially,…

Winners: Congratulations to Ola Norman, who was chosen by my old buddy random.org to win a copy of Diane Chamberlain’s new book, The Dream Daughter. Ola was lucky number 13, which just goes to disprove that particular superstition. Diane’s book has gotten great reviews and was chosen as a People magazine book club pick. Didn’t…

On Sunday I attended a potluck with folks who also spend part of their summers at Chautauqua Institution in Western, New York. Twice a year, over the winter and spring, our local Chautauquans meet to enjoy each other’s company and cooking. As a minister’s wife I’m a veteran of church potlucks. The hands down winner…