Published inDataDrivenInvestor·PinnedMember-onlyOpposite ActionHow To Turn Things Around, George Costanza-Style It was my birthday last week! Patrick and I had a great time away despite everything that’s going on in the world today. But if you’re like me, not every day can be a fun-filled extravaganza. Not even close. I’ve realized over the years that my natural tendencies are toward…Productivity7 min readProductivity7 min read
Published inModern Parent·PinnedMember-onlyStop Shaming Parents of Little KidsYou should know better. I have a lovely friend with four kids, ages eleven to two. They’ve been quarantining since March, just like the rest of us, and it’s been tough. This friend had major surgery last week, and her husband has been juggling childcare and housework and his full-time…Parenting6 min readParenting6 min read
Oct 27Member-onlyAnd Soon the Darkness Long31 Suggestions to Get You in an Octoberish Mood “Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical…October9 min readOctober9 min read
Sep 7Member-onlyCompassionate ProductivityI’m a big fan of trying to get things done. I’ve written before about different motivational tactics, like my carnet (my notebook system) and Opposite Action. My accountability partner Annette Lyon and I wrote a whole book on different strategies we’ve used over the years to set and accomplish goals. …Habit Building4 min readHabit Building4 min read
Jan 10Member-onlyIf You Are LuckyIf you are lucky, there are specific moments in life to which you can point and say, “That’s where it all changed for me.” On bad days, these times can be your scapegoats, taking the blame for every subsequent failure in your life. On days of more clarity, they serve…Personal Essay13 min readPersonal Essay13 min read
Nov 3, 2022Member-onlyPublishing a CookbookA Long but Delicious Journey Thirteen years ago, I decided to publish a cookbook. I mainly just wanted to have all my favorite recipes — whether my own or those handed down to me — in one place. …Cooking Recipes2 min readCooking Recipes2 min read
Sep 28, 2022Member-onlyA Tale of Two Book CoversOr maybe five…. Last August, I published Summersong, a contemporary fantasy retelling of Mozart’s The Magic Flute set in modern-day New York (City and upstate). I found the original cover for it on bookcoverzone.com, …Books4 min readBooks4 min read
Sep 16, 2022Member-onlyI (Want to) Capture the CastleOr the cottage, manor, or townhouse… I’ve wanted to move to France for decades. I’ve visited many times and have been studying the language for years. I love the people, the food, the culture, the art, the architecture, the history, the cities, and the varied, gorgeous countryside. …France2 min readFrance2 min read
Dec 5, 2021Member-onlyA Virtual Advent CalendarArt, poetry, and music to mark the days until Christmas Can you believe it’s December? I confess I have a lot to do to get ready for Christmas. As I shop and bake and cross things off lists, however, I don’t want to lose sight of why I’m celebrating. In 2008 as a devotional exercise, I created a virtual advent…Christmas2 min readChristmas2 min read
Oct 28, 2021Member-onlyFiberrrific!Easy, Delicious Ways to Get More Roughage and Improve Your Health Does anyone use the word “roughage” anymore? I haven’t heard it in ages. But odds are, when it comes to roughage, dietary fiber, bulk — whatever you call it — you need more of it in your body. Women…Dietary Fiber5 min readDietary Fiber5 min read
