This year’s crop of irises at my house turned out to be a total of one. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, whether it’s the increasing shade, the fact that the rhizomes are buried in periwinkles or the wrong fertilizer, but my once lush iris patch has pretty much given up. (And I have […] Read More

The astonishing designer Philippe Starck told Fast Company magazine his formula for creativity: “Every morning, take royal jelly and omega-3 oil, eat oysters, and have a good sexual life. Don’t care about anything, and never listen to anybody. Be free.” Do you have a formula for creativity? Mine is show up and write. But I’ve […] Read More

The puppy-in-the-garden-with-Bob portrait is a tradition at my house. I’ve taken a picture of Bob holding each subsequent pup, but we waited too late to shoot this one. Aura at 5-ish months weighs about 75 pounds. She may look uncomfortable, but she was fine. Bob, on the other hand, says he’s not hoisting any more […] Read More

Simply because my new novel is called “Cobalt Blue” and I’m in a novel-aggrandizing mood… If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much. Read More

It’s Friday, day of the planet Venus, the Roman goddess of love. It’s spring. The weather is gorgeous, at least here in Raleigh. So think of a good adventure to launch, large or small, to celebrate the day and the season. (The beauty bush at the edge of my woodland garden is celebrating.) If you […] Read More

I never heard the term before yesterday, but now I’m completely charmed by the idea. “Godwinks” (on Beliefnet.com) encourage courage. How could they not? If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much. Read More

On Sunday afternoon, Ruth Sheehan, one of my intrepid sisters-in-law, engaged in a public dance competition at the N.C. State Fairgrounds on behalf of children with special needs and the honor of the newspaper industry. She and her dance partner won! That’s her in the pink sequins, as photographed on my phone by her nine […] Read More

The dancer in pink took action beyond-bold for a good cause on Sunday. More to come on this story tomorrow. If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much. Read More

Seems like it’s either Pickle Day or Fork Lift Operator Month or some such, every time the calendar page turns over. This month is one we might take notice of: National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Here’s something you can do in observance that is so easy it barely counts as bold. But it’s important: Go […] Read More

“I want their lives to always feel full and purpose-driven. I want to watch them as they continue to sprout new feathers on their wings and as they share their gifts with the world.” From the blog of regular contributor Debbie, who writes about her “four angel daughters.” You have to see the photos of […] Read More