Prolific and accomplished authors tend to recommend that a writer’s creative space be devoid of any stimulus in order to keep the writer focused solely on the work. I tried that for a while: bare walls, clutter-free desktop, seat facing away from the window. Although I understand the advice, those prolific and accomplished authors must […]

Read more "Surround Yourself with Life"

Years ago, yoga was a way for me to challenge my body to be strong, balanced, and flexible. I would go to my studio and, for lack of a better phrase, “work hard.” Invariably, I’d sweat, I’d try to do “better” than last time, and I’d go home in the afterglow of a successful workout. […]

Read more "The Root of All Suffering"

I have ten presets on my car stereo: two are NPR, one is classical, two are alternative rock, three classic rock, four are pop stations my children like. (Side note: When the children are in the car, I try to tolerate the uninventive, repetitive, and simply mindless pop songs, but soon crack and say, “I’m […]

Read more "I Have Become My Mother"

Months ago, I friend of mine gave me a book of Buddhist thoughts with the heavy title of Life, Death and Afterlife by Lama Yeshe. This gift came after she and I had shared some thoughts about those three topic areas one night in my sauna. I’d avoided reading it for fear that it might suggest that […]

Read more "No, I Insist, You First"

Everywhere I look, someone wants me to know the “secret” in going from “writer” to “author.” Blogs and websites abound online with “must read” content; books and magazines take up shelf after shelf with “essential tips to take your writing to the next level.” It’s overwhelming and generally not very helpful in its enormity. Seeing […]

Read more "Worst. Advice. Ever."

For a while now my children had been teasing me over the fact that I had zero Instagram followers. The reason I signed up for the mobile photo-sharing service was to keep tabs on them: I didn’t need followers, I was a follower. I refused to call Instagram anything other than “Iggy,” which only led to more […]

Read more "Late to the Party but It’s Still a Party"

This photo was taken twenty years ago. The fact that I am old enough to share photographic evidence of a time from my mid-twenties puts me solidly in “middle age”–a chronological reality despite my feeling not much older than I was when captured on film (yes, it was film) in July 1996 in Latvia. Serving […]

Read more "The Toughest Job"

Every time I hear “Round Here” by the Counting Crows I hear desperation, and longing, and the abandonment of hope. It seems like these words (from 1993) are relevant to many, many things happening nowadays here and abroad. If you can get an audio clip, I recommend you do; though if you were around and paying […]

Read more "An Anthem for the Times"

Not everyone who chooses to read this blog, either here or elsewhere on social media, will agree with my thoughts and opinions. I don’t write about hearts and flowers and unicorns. Cute puppies and crock pot dinners don’t interest me. From the start, I have written about loyalty and betrayal. What readers have found here–and at […]

Read more "Cease and Desist? Not just yet."

Yes, you know that taste. Most of us first experienced it as children as we suffered through a stomach bug. Saltines and ginger ale were the suggested remedy, and after a few days we were better. As adults, we have the benefit of not sharing our daily space with two dozen under-the-weather peers on a […]

Read more "That Vomitty Taste in the Back of Your Throat"