I was straightening out a bookshelf and I noticed a gift I’d forgotten about, a large hardback with a floral cover I’d catalogued with the cookbooks. The title, “A Mother’s Journal.” Divided into sections, it has questions such as “Where I lived” and “What I remember about my family home”…

One Christmas song keeps playing over and over again inside my head and I want it to stop. Yes, I like some holiday tunes, but this song reeks of expectation that may or may not be fulfilled, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” an over sweet voice exclaims. …

Do one small good deed a day, is a resolution I made to myself many years ago. Just a moment or two of unselfish kindness, maybe help a stranger lift a heavy package, give an unexpected compliment, or take the time to personally direct someone to the place they’re seeking…

Saturday night we went with some friends to a fancy Italian restaurant and I sampled five different types of pasta. Five pastas! At a time so close to Thanksgiving, when everyone is worrying about turkey, their favorite mashed potato recipe and stuffing, I thought it would be fun to write…

Time Travel. Is it possible? Are there time travelers amongst us? Have you ever had the peculiar sensation, what many call déjà vu, that maybe you’re re-doing something you’ve already done in the past? It could be you’ve already experienced time travel, but don’t remember. What if your brain just…

Floods. Fires. Famine. Heatstroke. A man attacks the husband of the Speaker of the House with a hammer. And the response from some of the nation’s Republican leaders is to hint at a possible justification. Conspiracy theories. …

Contests and awards usually involve money. But just the idea of being recognized for your accomplishments can be a reward. Enter the idea of the “ Annie Award.” For artists supporting themselves on marginal incomes-writers, painters, performers- cash awards are great, but Arts Councils, as nonprofits themselves, don’t have a…

The quest to achieve your heart’s desire can make you susceptible to the wiles of snake oil salesmen. Over and over again I see blogs with titles that claim to include insider information for writers peppered with phrases that include: how to get published, insider tips, and editors’ preferences. …

By Nadja Maril “Sorry, but I have a headache.” I’d been the one nervous about dating so quickly after my husband died, but these words were spoken by my date. I stared at the half eaten burger on my plate. Well this is not going well, my inner voice told…