Words to Help You Twinkle

Moderation

2013-01-13T11:39:00.001-06:00

Moderation. Seems like a ... moderate word, eh? But after a long-term, well-after-New-ears Eve, hog-heaven holiday bender, it seems time to focus on the word, the meaning, the ... moderation. Now, if only we could get our congress people to aim their sites toward the middle, which seems kinda like what moderation means. Then again, perhaps I should look the word up, make sure I'm even talking

Exactly!

2013-01-13T10:54:00.000-06:00

Source: naomitwaoq.tumblr.com via Deanna on Pinterest

Iced Tea Drinkers UNITE!

2012-09-03T11:52:00.001-05:00

Coffee and Thee--And Them The poetic story of one tea-drinking woman and three coffee houses. copyright Charlene Ann Baumbich, September 2012 One She invited

Everything Old is New Again

2012-05-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

Today, as I think about an upcoming event, I'm pondering the truth in the old saying, EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN. From my dress to my handbag, my slip to my jewelry--all old--everything old does feel new again because of the way "the outfit" all came together, and the reason I'm wearing it. Before I share the details, let me make this clear: I don't care much for dressing up; I like

FOCUS

2012-04-11T18:52:00.001-05:00

According to dictionary.com, the word FOCUS means exactly what I thought it did, especially in the context in which I cannot seem to apply it for the last few days. 1. "a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity: The need to prevent a nuclear war became the focus of all diplomatic efforts." And wow! Isn't that some sample sentence to at least momentarily FOCUS your attention

Good and Evil

2012-04-06T16:36:00.000-05:00

I was reading a recent copy of Literary License, association publication for the Society of Midland Authors, when today's words, Good and Evil, jumped off the page and gave me goosebumps. I'll tell you why in a moment. First let me give you the context. Robert Loerzel wrote that Marilyn Robinson, author of Gilead, a book I truly loved (I'm going to blog about that experience on my

Love Is All You Need

2012-04-02T16:06:00.001-05:00

I attended a wedding this past weekend. The reception took place in the gymnasium of an old combo church and school turned art museum, transformed into celebration perfection. As we flooded into the vintage venue--complete with tables, table clothes, candles, wedding favors and snacks all lined up and waiting for us--glorious sunlight (thank you, Mother Nature!) streamed through

Encouragement

2012-03-30T11:08:00.001-05:00

I started pulling together this recent issue of the TwinkleGram back in February. I love writing TwinkleGrams, and yet, they are a task. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. When I don't get one done in a timely fashion, the "fun thing" weighs on me. But life happened. FINDING OUR WAY HOME released. There were guest blog posts to write, radio interviews to blab, book stores to

Buffering (spinning icon) Buffering (spinning icon)

2012-03-10T09:45:00.001-06:00

Buffering, the dreaded word, or sometimes just an animated symbol, one that tried to hypnotize me a few times this week. (You will watch the twirling icon. You are getting sleepy ...) I don't usually see this word on my Big Boy computer. But my traveling laptop, which I've been attached to for a couple weeks, and which is now kinda old and lacking today's zippety-do-dah, likes to

On Clubbing Books (you know what I mean)

2012-03-06T10:32:00.000-06:00

While reading the local paper I saw a brief notice that the Winona Public Library Monthly Adult Book Club would meet while I was in town. As an author, I've "attended" conference calls and Skype-ins while my books were clubbed (well, you know what I mean), but never have I been able to attend a book club meeting from the readers' side of the discussion. I'm filled with envy when I

Seeking Perspective

2012-03-01T10:27:00.000-06:00

My eldest grandgirlie is Star of the Week in her first-grade class. It's quite the honor which offers her, as well as any student whose turn it is, the opportunity for lots of cool things, like bringing special show and tell. She invited me to come read a book to her classmates, a humbling honor, which I gladly and gratefully accepted. I asked her to pick out the book, but she

What Inspires Our Best Work?

2012-02-27T17:28:00.001-06:00

Alan Menken Before the Oscar gala, I watched a piece on Sunday Morning about the person--a person who's alive--who has won the most Oscars. Many possibilities flicked through my mind, a few I thought might be sure bets. But when they said his name, my response was Alan who? Then they cued the music. OH! THAT guy! Alan Menken, a composer, has won eight Oscars and been nominated a

Tongue Piercing Steers Wheelchair

2012-02-25T13:08:00.003-06:00

While scrolling along my Facebook stream I came across this photo. At first glance, I assumed it was the latest teen rage: Punk My Mouth. I almost skipped right along without giving it another thought. Then I saw the headline, the words that stopped me. Tongue Piercing Steers Wheelchair. Whoa. I clicked through and read about an amazing breakthrough for those who need it.

Words We Underline

2012-02-23T16:19:00.001-06:00

Once in awhile, when it's time for a new read, I close my eyes and pick a title from one of my many stacks of books. Noting The Ice Chorus was an Advance Reading Copy, I knew I'd snagged it at a booksellers convention somewhere along the line. The release date on the cover announced "February 2005". This should give you some idea about the organization of my "stacks." The

Tricky Truths

2012-02-21T12:13:00.000-06:00

‎"A scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it." -- Max Planck My dear friend Donna posted this quote on her Facebook page yesterday. First I laughed. Then the too-often dark sorrow of that sad truth set in. In reality, Planck, most

Happy Presidents Day

2012-02-20T16:41:00.002-06:00

While out to breakfast with a friend this morning, our waiter bid us a cheery, "Happy Presidents Day!" My knee-jerk reaction was to respond with a cheery "Same to you!" After he walked away, I shrugged my shoulders and said to my friend, "What does that really mean? How would we specifically celebrate and be happy today about this great event? I don't recall anyone wishing me a 'happy'

A Word I Cannot Tame

2012-02-17T06:50:00.001-06:00

My entire life, I cannot remember how to spell the word desperation. In fact, within the last five minutes, I spelled it incorrectly elsewhere, which triggered me to blog about it. Perhaps with some concentrated effort, I can correct this problem with my memory chip. ADMISSION: My first attempt to use the word desperation in this blog post, I spelled it incorrectly too--and

A brilliant Top 10: Autism & Seniors

2012-02-16T14:21:00.002-06:00

I had breakfast this morning with writer, blogger and author Lynn Hudoba. It's the first time we've met. I discovered Lynn's magnificent Voice several months ago when I read one of her brilliant columns in a daily Patch email for my local area. I loved the piece so much, I left a comment. Several months later, I caught her Voice again. This time, I didn't leave a comment, I tracked

Words That Sell

2012-02-15T08:25:00.000-06:00

During the Superbowl, each time they cut to a commercial, a hush fell over our room full of guests. We couldn't wait to see what clever words, images and pitch stories reeled us in or left us cold. (Also, we had a pool for things like first commercial after first interception. Our motto: With money on the line, we pay attention.) Sometimes the commercials that most kept our focus didn't

Lasting Words of Love

2012-02-14T13:22:00.000-06:00

My friend Terri sent a beautiful email today, Valentine's Day. In it, she spoke of her late husband, musician Thomas Chapin. She included a few memories and a link to a very special Valentine gift she received from Thomas, long after he was gone from this earth. It's a remarkable story of tenderness and the surprise of Lasting Words, first spoken, then recorded, now written about. Enjoy. Thank

Misreads, Wrong Perceptions

2012-02-13T09:20:00.000-06:00

I just read a lovely piece in Shelf Awareness about columnist and author Jeffrey Zaslow, who recently passed away in an automobile accident. Soon after notification of his death, I'd noticed the Twitter stream fill with kind words and expressions about how much his voice would be missed. When I got to the second from the last paragraph in the article, there appeared a link referring to

Lasting Words that Matter

2012-02-12T13:00:00.000-06:00

Words have the power to hurt or heal. Lift or sink. How do we get these wise words to go viral?! I know the video is somewhere on the Internet, but for now, just read the words. And pass them on. On Whitney Houston

The day I decided to launch this blog

2012-02-11T17:06:00.000-06:00

I've been noodling around the Internet, "checking in" with my Facebook and Twitter friends, curious how long it's been since I posted a Traveling Laugh. Later today, I'm planning to begin work on a TwinkleGram. Is there no END to your social media blathering, Charlene?! Yet, while flicking from one set of hosted words to the next, a thought niggles. Sometimes my brain ignites a