A phrase jumped out at me from a review in an old New Yorker.   I was reading James Wood's piece on The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis.  She is an unusual writer, as you may know.   At least one of her stories is two sentences long.    Understatement and deadpan wit are her metier.  And she can be […] Read More

One of morethe  inconvenient aspects of my touch of OCD is a persistent fear of accidentally poisoning someone.  In the kitchen, I rely on my husband if I'm in doubt about whether a tomato is still good or if the leftovers are lethal.  In my garden, getting rid of pests is necessary, one way or […] Read More

"Just as the tumultuous chaos of a thunderstorm brings a nurturing rain that allows life to flourish, so too in human affairs times of advancement are preceded by times of disorder. Success comes to those who can weather the storm." –I Ching   from David Allen's Productive Living newsletter Read More

My psychologist/analyst/writer friend Joe Burgo proposes in his latest post a way entirely new to me to deal with the brute within. What he's referring to is the inner voice that brings up some past mistake I've made, causing me fresh paroxysms of guilt and misery.  This whisperer is, I believe, close kin to the one that […] Read More

"…What distorts our 'originality' is our intention to be different."           From The Wisdom Way of Knowing by Cynthia Bourgeault   Read More

"I was surprised at my strong emotional reaction to the Oscar awards that went to Colin Firth and The King’s Speech!  It’s more than a beautiful story and powerful acting. It’s an invitation to trust that as much as the British people needed Bertie’s voice so your voice is needed by the world. It’s an […] Read More

A  lovely stirring movie has been produced about her work and (ongoing) life:  Meinrad Craighead: Praying With Images.   Craighead's very distinctive art blends images from Catholicism, dreams, shamanic experience, the animal world, Native American religions, and the deserts of New Mexico.    The hour-long movie does justice by her; it truly gives the same feeling of mystery and immensity.  […] Read More

It has been a terrific ten days for celebrating writers I’ve worked with.  Here's their news, quoting (with permission) from their emails:      Received Feb. 8:      “Quick update – all went VERY well in NYC. I met with 3 agents and 3 editors all of whom were interested! …   Thanks again for your help and encouragement. It […] Read More

  Believe in fairies?  These folks do.  This video is a promo for the 11th Annual Fairy and Human Relations Congress in Washington's North Cascades this June.  I find the entire enterprise delightfully bold.    For one thing, this group has an environmental purpose in congregating with fairies, to protect nature and promote peace. "Our goal is […] Read More

[youtube pzI4D6dyp_o]   Anyone who stutters or loves a stutterer might initially hesitate at going to see The King's Speech.    I was certain that if I went I'd find the movie too excruciating and walk out.   As you likely know, The King's Speech is about the World War II king of England who had […] Read More