With final revisions of The Pumpkin Promise under my belt, I’m heading back into the secret compounds of the Scythian Society. Lord, it’s been a long road back to my fierce, wonderful Amazons. The journey’s been difficult–one fraught with pandemic struggles and turmoil. But, finally, my imagination is starting to flow, and here we are, together again. I genuinely … Read More
2022- The Year of Civility
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I focus on one aspect of life I’d like to nurture and grow. I choose a catchphrase that embodies the concept and creates a common theme. If you’re into jumping down rabbit holes, here is a rundown of the past. Last year, I named 2021 “The Year of Resilience” out of a fierce, … Read More
Creatively Standing Alone
Over the years, I’ve discovered most creatives feel like a round peg in a world of square holes. We’re the ones that chase rabbits in meetings trying to improve systems that have been in place for years. We’re the outliers who are challenged by the idea of a “status quo.” We’d rather fail trying to be extraordinary than succeed in … Read More
Being a Recovering People-Pleaser
A memory popped up in my Facebook feed the other day about Asteria receiving honorable mention in The New York Book Festival. It seems like only yesterday, and yet a lifetime ago. The world has changed so much … as have I. For one thing, I no longer struggle with the disease to please, thank God. Being a people-pleaser is … Read More
In a Forgotten World
It’s suicide prevention week. I know, it’s a tough subject. One that most people would rather not discuss. But it’s becoming an epidemic in this country. As a teacher, my heart breaks when I hear that a former student has taken their life. And it’s happening more often. The question is, why? Numerous studies correlate excess social media exposure and … Read More
The Power of Purging
If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed a post or two about my newsletter trials and tribulations. Long story short, I didn’t send newsletters during the pandemic, and because of that, most of my followers had become “inactive.” When I overrode those protocols to reach out to readers on the original list, my mail service sent … Read More
Recovering from the Pandemic
This past year has been one for the record books, especially for teachers. Scrambling to create virtual classrooms on the fly while dealing with food and technology disparities for our low socio-economic kiddos was, at times, overwhelming. Prolonged stress had left me burned out and bone-weary. Nothing, not even writing, could pull me from that infernal sense of detachment. My … Read More
Understanding Accountability
The dark events of this past week were so horrific that most people I know shy away from even discussing it. But I can’t ignore what happened–it feels disingenuous and wrong. Like most Americans, my heart broke as I watched an animalistic mob invade the seat of our democracy, the very symbol that countless brave men and women have died … Read More
The Danger of Ignorance
Last week, sweet Lucy, my fifteen-year-old pup, developed a limp that turned into her hobbling around on three paws. I called the vet, but they were booked, and so I contacted a clinic recommended by a friend that took walk-ins. A half an hour later and one town over, we pulled up to the little cement building. I’d been told … Read More
The Truth of it All
Aristotle said, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” Most artists I know feel this way. Art is an expression of inward truths manifested in words, brush strokes, movement, and sound. The most powerful art leaves its audience reflecting on the experience and how it pertains to their lives. … Read More