"The dear old human experience is a singular, difficult, shadowed, brilliant experience that does not resolve into being comfortable in the world. The valley of the shadow is part of that, and you are depriving yourself if you do not experience what humankind has experienced, including doubt and sorrow. We experience pain and difficulty as […] Read More

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