This gorgeous painting by Ramon Casas, After The Prom, 1899, certainly captures how I’ve been feeling lately. I’ve been dealing with a writer’s worst enemy. But my husband expressed it best a few days ago. “I’m not motivated to go to my karate class today,” he said as he poured our morning coffees. “I’ve been […]

Look at these chickens! This lovely 1916 Gustav Klimt painting, Garden Path with Chickens, always makes me smile. Klimt is famous for many works, including The Kiss, which I had in my living room in my late twenties. Klimt obviously loved women due to how generously and soulfully he painted them. However, I think he […]

“My idea of a great day is to work on a project, have something good to eat, and maybe do a little thrift shopping too,” said my aunt who was the queen of creativity. She loved to try new recipes, create with her hands, and find the beauty within the ordinary. She taught me the […]

Do you feel you must wait for inspiration to strike before you can write? It’s time to let that go. When you allow yourself to just write for the pleasure of it and not weigh yourself down with lofty expectations? Writing becomes a hell of a lot more fun. And the best way to start? […]

Recently I asked my mom if she had any fabric scraps that I could have. She’s an amazing seamstress and her sewing studio is filled with fabrics and notions. A friend of mine loves to make unusual cards, and I thought a bag of small fabric scraps for her would be just the ticket for […]

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. To eat the same food. Watch the same television shows. Read the same books and magazines. YAWN. All writers have been there. But it will affect the quality of your writing. Why? Because you’re not living in the world of curiosity. There’s an unusual writing resource you […]

Let me know if this has ever happened to you. You have a writing idea simmering in your mind.  Perhaps you overheard something interesting at the grocery store. (Yes – all writers eavesdrop! I’m shameless.)  Or maybe you had an unexpected and thoughtful conversation with a stranger and you just can’t stop thinking about it. […]

Years ago, a friend of mine found this print of The Skating Minister in a thrift store. I was green with envy. I almost challenged her to a snowball fight for it. However, common sense prevailed and I secretly grumbled to myself. All is fair in love, war and thrifting. So why do I love […]