Okay. I had the most amazing time at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop in Dayton last weekend. A. Maz. Ing. I am so inspired and excited I’m about a step away from peeing on the carpet like an overstimulated pup. Here are some of the awesome people I met:  Charlene Bell, Judith Podell, Kari Collins, Jay Kulpa, Janet Jensen, Crystal Edwards, Lisa Tognola, Darlene Sneden, … Continue reading Back from Dayton

Winter is so messy. The other day Chris and I stopped for gas at Sheetz and I asked him to clean the windows of my SUV. He was glad to comply, but I noticed that he didn’t actually know how to clean car windows. Not that it’s a big deal, but is this yet another “guy thing” I neglected to teach my son during my … Continue reading How to wash a car window

I just finished reading Elizabeth Kostova’s The Swan Thieves. Excellent read! LOVED it! As a former art student (and briefly, art teacher – early career misstep), I was particularly enthralled by the parallel story lines: a contemporary artist in the U.S., and a woman Impressionist painter in 19th century France. In a chapter late in the book, one of the characters travels to Paris to … Continue reading Color and Sexy Cities

I haven’t written here in a while – thus the headline above. If you want to be a writer, waiting around for inspiration just doesn’t always cut it. There are periods when inspiration is easy and comes from every angle. Then there are times when you’re just flat out stymied by the whole process. What on earth can I write about? Then it’s time for … Continue reading Inspiration vs. Perspiration

Yesterday I helped my friend Fran work the Ohio Wine Producers booth at Cleveland’s Fabulous Food Show at the IX Center. As a result, I had a fun day hanging out with Fran and enjoyed learning more about Ohio wines and wineries. An unexpected bonus was being introduced to my new, favorite chocolate-covered food item: Chocolate-Covered Cheese Doodles Yes. The chocolate-covered cheese doodle was the … Continue reading Chocolate and Salt

I really should have written this a month ago when Ohio’s tomatoes were at their peak and I could practically drive to Rainbow Farms blindfolded to stock up on the heirlooms and little yellow grape tomatoes – each a perfect, delectable bite. But today the weather heated back up to about 85 and I felt tomato lust descending upon me again. After working out at … Continue reading Tomato lust

I’m currently living a secret life, walking the virtual streets of Venice and Rome as I lose myself in  Italian Days by Barbara Grizzuti Harrison. Last night I came across her description of a green door in the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, where it is said if you look through the keyhole, you will see, “at the end of a long avenue of mingling … Continue reading Through the keyhole

Do you ever feel like there are so many directions you could – and in some cases, should – take that you can’t accomplish anything? That’s me right now. I occasionally read the Pioneer Woman’s blog, which is delightful and also has kick-ass recipes, and today she wrote about her 10 recommendations about blogging. First and foremost? JUST DO IT. Like the Nike ads, but … Continue reading The un-blog post

It has been a nice, quiet week. I like that. July was busy with travel for both vacation and work, and it’s been comforting to stay home. That doesn’t make for a very interesting post, but it makes me happy. It also makes me think about how the amount of quiet, personal time we need can be such a fundamental difference between people. I’m pretty … Continue reading Peace and Quiet

I’ve been checking Facebook a couple times a day in recent weeks. I had been reluctant to get involved in it, then my friend Cindy got me interested again. I dunno, folks. I think I’m about ready to walk away – again. Have you noticed how many people seem compelled to publicize every action they take on the site? I have a friend whose mother … Continue reading Back away from the Facebook. Back slowly away.