There is a wave of decluttering going through various social media now, sparking some results people are either finding satisfying or dismaying. I haven't read any books about it or watched any shows only because I already tackled the complicated feelings about it some years ago, about the time that I realized that, nope, I can't call myself middle ( Read more... )

So much talk about the recently deceased writer caused me to reflect on fame. It's like fire in that it can be unpredictable, scar for life, or save lives with its warmth. Certainly a catalyst ( Read more... )

A reader forwarded a blog post that touches on one of my books, but is essentially about how to gain leadership without violence, especially when you are seen in a weaker position, whether through gender expectations, age, culture, or simply numbers. (Many students vs. one teacher who doesn't happen to have an automatic weapon in her hands ( Read more... )

Most of us go into someone else's home armed with our best manners, I assume. Especially if we are there for business, to repair something or to deliver or whatever. Am I wrong in this ( Read more... )

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance--the link is a sobering list of people murdered over their gender identity. That and the upswell of news about women coming forth to call out predators (and yes, there is a lot of that in my family, beginning with my grandmother, who couldn't talk about being raped before she hit puberty for over fifty years ( Read more... )

This was one of the panel topics at the recent Fourth Street Fantasy con in Minneapolis. The panel went really well, I thought, bouncing between all the various branches of TOM study. Not surprising as it is so very fundamental to human existence ( Read more... )

Come talk about curses and cusses--what works, what doesn't, and why.

Today's post features excerpts from a book about Diana Sperling, who was an indefatigable painter of real life scenes during the Napoleonic era. She works in so many delightful details of her home, what people wore and did ( Read more... )

Many thanks for the good wishes! We're fine. The leaks are slowing. We'll find out if the condo association is responsible for fixing them, and if not, they join the very long list of repairs waiting until we get the debt load below five figures. (Assuming that ever happens.) It's not like it's going to rain like that again for another twenty years ( Read more... )

Kings and battles . . . timely, eh? What we need are heroes. I've been rewatching Nirvana in Fire because I need a dose of idealism, smart leadership, loyalty, and telling truth to power as an antidote to the news. Until that happens, today's BVC riff is about epics, and what I see as the lure.

Agree? Disagree?