I ventured into the world of book (and blog) writing to fulfill a promise to my beloved mother-in-law. Sue's bright light was extinguished on December 2, 2010, after a valiant 13-year battle with breast cancer... just five month's after her first grandchild (my daughter) was born. Now as a mother, entrepreneur, friend, sister, daughter, wife, and torch-bearer of a legacy, I paddle my boat, one wave at a time, toward that promise to her—and now to myself. In death as in life, Sue continues to motivate and inspire me. Follow me, and I'll do my best to pass the inspiration along. To life!
Sometimes you just need a little soul food, a breadcrumb from the universe, a taste of that dream ever waiting beyond the bend. Sunday I enjoyed some much-needed soul food at the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators conference—along with these tasty morsels of encouragement. May they help feed your dream, too.
Headed to Seattle? Read this first. Already live here? See if you know all seven of these Seattle secrets … 1. The Name Legend holds that every time we use the word Seattle, we’re basically making death a living hell for its Native American namesake. According to folklore, the chief was uncomfortable when the settlers named … More 7 Seattle Secrets
Moms, why is it so hard to invest in ourselves? Is it parental guilt? A relic notion of “modesty”? A societally ingrained notion of selfishness? Why, even in situations when the return on investment is quite obvious, does this feel so uncomfortable? For instance, this weekend there’s a kids’ book conference, and I dilly dallied … More Return on Investment
Today I’m remembering a great: a great grandma, mom, wife (of 50+ years), friend, community leader, youth mentor, bowler, shorthandist, cook … just an all-around great woman. You know that phrase, “They don’t make them like they used to.” That pretty much sums up Shirley. We lost her a year ago today, and I’m been feeling a … More 9 Secrets to Being Great
As a progressive, free-thinking mom with a daughter, I’m always looking for girls’ toys beyond the traditional options, like Barbie and Disney princesses. Not that there’s anything wrong with those (with some exceptions), but why limit burgeoning imaginations to such a small field of options? Research shows we shouldn’t. Same holds true for boys. That’s why I’m thrilled … More Top 3: New Toys for Girls
Names. They’re one of the first big decisions you have to make as a parent. They’re also a big decision in business. So, what’s in a name? In essence, it’s an inkling of who you are or what you offer. The same holds true for your business name, product name, or even your title. What … More What’s in a Name?
What’s a Tubkaak? a. a rare bird b. a naughty word c. an eco-friendly resort d. a Taiwanese game …. Have your guess? Well, here’s your answer:
Love poetry? Hate it? Don’t get it? Now’s the perfect time to give it fresh look. It’s National Poetry Month! Here are a few quick ideas for anyone: readers, teachers, parents, kids, writers, and even the “I’m not really a writer” word dabblers (you know who you are). Read Want to join my “poetry club”? … More National Poetry Month
Would you rather watch a movie than play a game together? That might be the fault of the games you’ve played. Think outside of the Candy Land and Monopoly box. Here are my top 3 board games for people who don’t play board games (which hopefully will change after you give these a try). 1. Settlers of … More Top 3: Board Games for People Who Don’t Play Board Games
What I was prepared for was preparing my taxes. A pile of paperwork sat close at hand. An empty spreadsheet awaited the figures of another year gone by. What I wasn’t prepared for was an existential crisis. It’s no coincidence that Shirley, my incredible grandma-in-law, died nearly a year ago. It was a year after I started … More Taxing Poetic
My Castle Heart Publications 