One of the best parts of writing is having the fun power to choose endings—including our protagonists’ final words. Some achieve greatness, but there’s also the … [Read more...]
Sneaky Advertising
Subliminal advertising happens when advertisers use images and sounds to influence our responses without us being aware of it. According to businessinsider.com, … [Read more...]
Associated Influences
In 1902, Russian behavioral scientist, Ivan Pavlov, announced strong connections between repeated stimulus and conditioned responses. In his case, ringing bells … [Read more...]
Verbal Profundities
I’d heard some of these before, but they’re all great, and I’m happy to borrow. I tried to identify the source but could only trace it to a 1/30/2007 blog post by … [Read more...]
In writing and in life, non-fail recipes sometimes do.
Non-fail fudge? My recipes guaranteed great results. As newlyweds, when we owned only one cooking pot, my Canadian husband requested boiled cod. (I don’t know why.) … [Read more...]
A gift of butterflies
I wanted to grow parsley last spring so bought a plant to set out in my small farm garden. As it flourished, I clipped a few sprigs to bring to our home in … [Read more...]
Up, Up, and Away
Dual foot surgery at the same time? Not a good idea–or is it? At least the recovery time should be twelve weeks total instead of twelve weeks for each foot. If you … [Read more...]
What Price Will You Pay for Adventure?
In 1964, Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond thrillers, wrote a popular children's book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In it, his character Commander Pott gave advice … [Read more...]
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?
As far as we know from history, Mary had a fair bit of help growing her garden. Maybe too much considering its horrific outcomes. For most of us, gardening (or … [Read more...]
Writing is Painting with Words
In Amsterdam's Rikstad Museum, a friend pointed out one special touch that made Rembrandt an outstanding master. His subject’s eye color was not simply painted a … [Read more...]
