Affirmation or Flagellation?

Mom just sent this horoscope to me and Dad because our birthdays are coming up: This is your time of the year leading the Zodiac family. This universal boost gives booster rockets to propel you on and up to your dreams. Stay focused, clarify your goals. Write them down and affirm them out loud each day. This is the…

READ MORE

The Gift of the Mascara

My family has this thing about Christmas. It’s kind of a big deal. Pretty early on — right about nowish — we start making plans about who’s going where. Mom also starts asking around about Christmas lists. I learned early on — right about when I started making the Happy Holiday CDs — to just stick a post-it note…

READ MORE

For Those About to Squee, I Salute You

In case anyone didn’t see my horribly squee-ish Tweet about it this morning, or feel the true intensity of said squee, I will bring the cause to your attention here now.  Mostly because my mom’s not on Twitter or Facebook, but she checks my blog. Hey, Mom! *waves* GUESS WHAT?!? I got reviewed in the New York Times Sunday…

READ MORE

PSA: Women’s Health

Mom and I had a nice long talk the other day. She owed it to me…as she had just experienced a strange anomaly that had her in the hospital for a few days. It was something to do with her heart. I hate hearing about this afterward — there’s really no good time to hear something like this. (Thank…

READ MORE

Go Be Amazing

Mom sent me this video — as someone who has amazing kids, she can admire fantastic talents in others. This girl’s name is Kang Eunju, and she is a kindergartner from North Korea. Are you as inspired as I am now? Good. Go do something amazing, something you’ve been putting off, or something everyone thinks is impossible. Then report…

READ MORE

Selecting the Strange

Over the years I’ve developed some quirks, as any decent Crotchety-Old-Woman-in-Training worth her salt would do. I value the truth, however brutal. I appreciate the element of surprise and abhor hints. I don’t read the dust jackets of authors I already know I like. I eat dessert first, whenever possible. And I pick the strangest thing on the menu….

READ MORE

Cloudy Skies & Rorschach

I was cleaning up & organizing my pictures from Hypericon and I came across this one, which I took on the road from Charleston to Nashville. Yes, Mom, I know the dangers of photography (and writing) while driving — I promise you, my hands never left the wheel. Come on…could you have passed up this shot? And…more importantly…what IS…

READ MORE

To You, From Me

Mom saw my birthday tribute to her this morning (how fitting that Concrete Blonde played “Happy Birthday” last night as part of their set for the 20th Anniversary of Bloodletting tour). Needless to say, I brought a tear to her eye — an ability I’ve become quite proud of over the years, as my mother’s tears are a mark…

READ MORE

For My Mother, On Her Birthday

An Ode to Motherhood To a mom who cooks and cleans And washes all my favorite jeans The last time that you left a spot Very happy I was NOT! But where a spot you did not miss Turns out another called a kiss Life ain’t that easy, you see I guess that’s why you’re stuck with me. (And…

READ MORE

To My Mother, From The Child Who Is Not Dead

…I’m just really, REALLY busy working. I’m revising a book, copyediting another one…and guess what? I’m going to be reading stories for Apex, because Jason was so happy with Foiled. Awesome, huh? The sun comes out sometimes here now, almost like it’s really Spring, and in a couple of weeks we’re going to see the cherry blossoms. I’ve always…

READ MORE