For this pre-Halloween post, I’m quoting my niece’s PhD husband, Doc. Talbert’s Twitter: “In an age of frustration, anger, and a world on fire, at least some … [Read more...]
Traveling America’s back roads
I thought snowbirds were wimps until I saw the light and became one. Now I leave Minnesota for nearly six months each fall to bask in milder Northeastern Mississippi … [Read more...]
Great story endings (and alternatives)
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...]
