If you like easier hikes, this is a good summer to watch my Colorado hiking videos. In January, I had surgery to remove part of a herniated disc that put pressure on my spine, but not before it damaged the nerves in my left foot. I expect to get my strength back, but...
Spirit of Adventure
THE END OF ALLERGY SEASON – Flash Fiction on The Death of a Relationship
I received a terrific writing prompt today from Liz Shaw over at The Writing Reader, a blog I recommend to other avid writers and readers. I felt excited enough about the results I was able to achieve within about 15 minutes, that I've decided to post my flash fiction...
GETTING KICKED BY ROUTE 66: Part Five – American Gothic & Tiny Dots of Art in Chicago
Saturday, May 3, 2008 In keeping with our Route 66 theme, I have a less than highbrow goal in visiting the Art Institute of Chicago: I'm here to see that creepy icon of nostalgic Americana known as American Gothic. So I figure hitting the museum an hour before closing...
GETTING KICKED BY ROUTE 66: Part Three – Jazzing it up Chicago Style
“…the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn...” Jack Kerouac. We grab a cab to take us to the...
FABLES, FAIRY TALES, FOLKTALES, AND FIFTH GRADERS – How Much Truth Lies in Fiction?
I believe that fiction sometimes reveals more of a writer’s true nature than nonfiction. In nonfiction we filter what we wish to reveal, but in fiction our hidden dreams and nightmares may sneak out without us even knowing. This is no less true of the young writers...
FLIP YOUR TRIP – New Travel Channel Show Promises to Turn Vacations into Adventures
A friend of mine who writes and produces reality TV shows just clued me into a new Travel Channel show her production company is working on, called Trip Flip. High Noon Entertainment is looking for people who have typical vacations planned in popular destinations this...
TEEN MOM PROM – Is it a Reward, a Learning Opportunity, or Something More?
On Monday, a Denver Post columnist wrote an article about this spring’s first-ever prom at Florence Crittenton High School for teen mothers, and the article elicited negative comments that so upset me that at first I was at a loss for words. I’ve been working on a...
CHATTERBOXES FULL OF STORIES – The Taming of Talkative Middle School Writers
Their mini-marshmallow stature and pre-intellectual chatter marked them as targets: those undersized, over-bright kids who get stuffed into lockers by eighth graders. Cassie made beeping noises. Talia talked so fast that the ends of sentences tumbled out ahead of the...
WHEN IS A ZUCCHINI LIKE A MOVIE? – A Gardener’s Tale
Remember how I whined earlier this summer that my vegetable seeds weren’t sprouting? Be careful what you whine about. Now my zucchini plants are arm-wrestling with my tomato plant for square-foot-garden domination. My zucchini plants are arm-wrestling with my tomato...
THE HEALING POWER OF SOLO TRAVEL: Cara’s Interview at The Gypsy Gals Blog
Have you ever traveled alone? Have you ever wondered if women who do travel alone get lonely? Have you ever wondered what people get out of solo travel that they can't get from traveling with a partner? Then I believe you'll enjoy my new interview at The Gypsy Gals...