The first bear was created not to mark a memory but rather in joyous anticipation of a baby. Always the thoughtful one, seamstress extraordinaire Nancy Caldwell made custom crib sheets and a teddy bear in matching print as a gift for a friend who was adopting a baby. Later, someone asked Nancy if she could …click to continue reading.
Some Time For Some Signs
Are you old enough to remember when we used a real dictionary to look up a word’s spelling or definition? I used to get lost in the dictionary because I’d find other interesting words and would jump from one to another. Well, something similar happens to me now when I’m searching for a photo to …click to continue reading.
What Are You Afraid Of, You Big Sissy?
When’s the last time you were afraid? Actually and truly afraid. I don’t mean when you felt anxiety or nervousness. I’m talking about the heart-racing, I-can’t-think-or-breathe kind of fear that makes you feel sick to your stomach. When I ask that question of my public speaking students, the answers I receive back depend on the …click to continue reading.
Doggy Baggage
When I asked Dede McClure of Three Dog Night on Kilkenny about the business model for her home dog care she said this: “Imagine we’re sisters and you decide to go on vacation. You drop off your dog at my place with his food, his favorite toy, and blanket. We wave goodbye and your dog …click to continue reading.
Read My Lips. Or Better Yet, Read My Face.
Being a strongly visual person, I like to sit near the front of any event, whether that’s a church service, a motivational talk, or other presentation. Sitting close to the speaker doesn’t necessarily enable me to hear better, especially if the speaker is using a microphone. But it creates a sensation of feeling as though …click to continue reading.
Inside Out
When new friends see a photo of my daughter for the first time, a typical response is, “Oh my gosh, she’s beautiful.” Yes, she is. Yet that’s due to a fortunate melding of good genes and nothing I did or didn’t do on purpose. Because I try to avoid superficiality, I usually reply, “Yes, she …click to continue reading.
Buttercream, Caramel, or Maple?
My first job at the age of 18 was assembling boxes of assorted chocolates. OK, I know some of you are right now channeling the old I Love Lucy segment where Lucy and Ethel are working at a candy factory. They have screwed up several other jobs there, and the boss lady has warned them …click to continue reading.
What About A Name? Part Two
My Aunt Winona says that my parents chose her as my baptismal sponsor and my mother let her choose my name. Lynne Elizabeth is the name she came up with, Elizabeth being my paternal grandmother’s first name. At my baptism when the minister asked, “What name is given to this child?” my mother piped up, …click to continue reading.
What About A Name? Part One
“Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.” –Gertrude Stein But what is a “Norma”? I never liked my name until I was in my mid 30s and learned the compelling back story that began with my grandmother. More on that later. The origin of Norma from Latin means standard. So just …click to continue reading.
The Sounds In Silence
When a word or topic crosses my path half a dozen times in a short span of time, I know it’s presenting itself to me to be written about. Silence isn’t something we spend much time considering. Some of us are uncomfortable with it in the presence of another, and we rush to fill it …click to continue reading.