Broken Expectations

It Is What It Is

2010-12-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

"Enlightenment begins with acceptance, without judgment of "what is". This is known as moving into Isness. It is in the Isness where freedom will be found." -- Neil Donald Walsch This was posted on Facebook. I love it. All its "isness". And I love that word! Isnessssssss It just rolls right off the tongue. What I really like about this little reminder is the idea of acceptance with out

I Heart Mom

2010-12-15T22:27:00.000-08:00

Photo by Mary Duvall (AKA Mom) Once and great while I get the urge to put together a poem or two. They are what they are. I like them because they are my own little stories. Short captions of what matters to me and that is really the point isn't it? Well,... I heart my mom. We have be through one hell of a ride together. But there it is. Down the rocky road paved with good intentions and I

The Power of a Good Picture Book

2010-12-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

Photo by Maisie Duncan I haven't posted a picture in a while. As I was looking for just the right one, I stumbled upon this one I took with an old point and shoot in Afghanistan. I love this picture. The girls were all given books depicting photos of women in their own culture who had taken steps forward and attained positions of power. A large majority of the Afghan population is

Just...Damn it.

2010-11-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

One day up and another day down. Yesterday I couldn't think about anything other than writing. Today, I want to crawl in a hole and think of anything but. Oh what a world, what a world. People used to tell me the only way to get better at something was to surround yourself with those better than you. Those people obviously never wanted to be writers....want. Hmm. I don't want to be a writer.

Why You Shouldn't Write

2010-11-18T20:28:00.000-08:00

Take a walk around your local bookstore. The amount of books stacked within those four walls can be intimidating. Think about the new books (hardback, paperback, audio, ebook) being cranked out each day. Sometimes I think, "Look at all the new books out! There has got to be room in there for me somewhere!" And what about poetry, screenwriting, play writing, comic book, graphic novels,

The Coldest Day in August

2010-09-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today I heard all of the songs that made me think of you I cried and luaphed and thought of the past It is bitter and sweet and lumps in my throat Sometimes I feel you there Watching, wishing I wonder if you wish for the same things I do More time, a chance to do things over Time passes unwaivering The empty space you used to fill follows me It haunts the room I miss you and love you Wish I

Time Flys When You're Waiting to Have Fun

2010-08-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

I am amazed at how long it has been since my last post. And unfortunately, I am sad to say I return, not because I have been called to, but because I have been told to. Thankfully so. So many times I find that this life-- one built on the pursuit of art and craft and literary indulgence-- is one that so often falls short of intentions. Perhaps that is my fault. I am sure it is. But here we are

2010-05-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

For two beautiful weeks I left my life of schedules, deadlines, family ties, and responsibilities behind. As I boarded the plane to Hawaii I allowed myself to disconnect from it all. No bills, babysitters, homework, or blinding computer screens. I wasn't even allowed to think about it. Finally, I was able to open myself up to my surroundings and connect to them in a way that always seemed

Inspirationa Photo of the Day

2010-03-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Maisie Duncan

How to Find Inspiration at Your Fingertips

2010-03-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

I really do mean at your fingertips. I am talking about pictures. Practicing photography (and i mean practicing-I am definantly still at hobby try-out level here) is one of my favorite things to do. What I love about it so much is that it forces you to look at the world in a more discerning way. Suddenly you start noticing the contrast of light on angles, the back lit curls of someone's hair, the

Riding the Short Bus to the World of Social Media

2010-03-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

I’m not trying to create the greatest blog the internet has ever seen. I am just a writer trying to do what she loves and share the experience with others who are in the same boat: writers taking the leap from passion to career. Now, I have to create a presence, get known before I get published, gain followers, loyal readers, friends in the publishing industry, blogosphere, tweet and facebook

Procrastination Station

2010-03-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

I did laundry instead of writing this evening. As I was shoveling towels into the water basin and scrubbing out chocolate stains, I couldn’t help but note that I was wasting my time. Sure, laundry needs to be done. It did not, however, need to be done that very second. There was no laundry emergency. There was no underlying denial that I was stalling, either. I was completely honest about the

Hemingway, Starbucks, and Plastic Clowns

2010-03-12T20:13:00.000-08:00

I have been writing as long as I can remember. It always held a special part of me; the spirit of my secret world. That little spark catching my attention, nudging me to the seclusion of my room. There I would write until my arm cramped from the vigorous whirl of chicken scratches only I could decipher. I was then, and still am an advocate for the old fashioned pen and pad. In between these

OH NO YOU DIDN'T!!!

2010-03-09T18:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am going to try not to do this too often, but it has been bugging me since I returned to school 2 years ago. It is time for the Bitch session. If you are an educator at a college please take note. This one is for you. With all due respect, of course… I am not 17 years old. I am a grown woman with two children. I have lived on my own, taking care of myself and my family for a long time

And away we go!

2010-03-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have been considering staring a blog for several months now. And of course, all of the old excuses were there waiting for me as soon as the idea came to mind: I'm too busy, I'm too tired, I don't have anything to say, at least nothing interesting. While I am busy and tired and going losing my marbles most of the time, the real reason I waited so long really boiled down to one thing. FEAR. Which