Wherever each of us is on the hawk to dove continuum, I think we have to admit that soldiers are bold. They act on their convictions and risk their lives in that action. They also risk coming home with brain damage and/or missing limbs. So, here’s to the bold soldiers of all stripes! Happy Memorial […] Read More

I’m going to visit my mom this weekend which means I’m also going to the beach (Wrightsville Beach, NC). I was right on the point of scheduling a surfing lesson, the first in my life, when I suddenly remembered that I have tennis elbow in my right arm. Probably I should wait until I can […] Read More

[youtube NEx-lDmSXXo nolink] Bold and persistent, 94 year-old Hazel Soares got her degree in art history from Mills College this past week. Mills itself is pretty bold. From the website: "Over the decades, Mills “firsts” have been numerous: the first women's college west of the Rockies (chartered 1885); the first laboratory school west of the […] Read More

…to save the world. Taken at Swan Quarter, NC, near the ferry to Ocracoke Add to del.icio.us - Stumble It! - Subscribe to this feed - Digg it Read More

I’ve occasionally been accused of over-subtlety in my communications. I occasionally remind myself that it’s a gift to the listener to be clear. My therapist once said to me: “it’s not intrusive to tell people what they want to know.” Not that they always want to know what I have to say. But if I’m […] Read More

Different things scare different folks. A bold move for one person is routine for another, and vice versa. For example, if I tried to take the stand that this bird is so casually doing, I would be bold, indeed. On the other hand, I’ve done some things that this fellow would absolutely quail at. My […] Read More

Helen Mirren‘s wax likeness was unveiled at Mme. Tussaud’s yesterday and the picture of her with the fake version was number one in gossip site Radaronline’s Hot Photos. I applaud the bold Dame Helen for the chutzpah to be totally hot at 65. Add to del.icio.us - Stumble It! - Subscribe to this feed - Digg it Read More

Last week I taught my “Writing Powerful Stories” workshop on Ocracoke Island on the North Carolina Outer Banks. The participants were public school teachers/guidance counselors/principals, etc. The sponsor was the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching. What’s bold about this? For one, I, who am primarily a writer, was teaching teachers. And more striking, […] Read More

I’m getting ready to head off to Ocracoke on the NC Outer Banks to teach a writing class for five days for NCCAT. Very nice assignment, I know. At the same time, teaching is the boldest thing I ever do. The most demanding of attentiveness. Writing is a piece of cake, by comparison. Public speaking […] Read More

Gandhi, one of my often-mentioned heroes, is an encouraging example in part because of his rough start. Prior to peacefully running the British out of India, he was a lawyer who was too cowed to speak up in court. He lost case after case. “He was a total failure,” writes Paul Rogat Loeb in an […] Read More