A resource post to assist participants in Mega Memory Month:I want to offer plenty of support during Mega Memory Month (MMM), so here you can find lots of memorization tips and techniques collected as neatly as possible in one place. I'll add to it as I find more, so bookmark it and revisit from time to time. I'll mark the date that I add any material following … [Read more...]
Don't Let the Word "Mega" Scare You Off
Rachel Anne brought up a good point: the word "mega" is intimidating.Don't be scared of Mega Memory Month.To ease your mind, consider these alternative interpretations of the word "mega" in Mega Memory Month: Mega could refer to the result of memorization, rather than the size of the selection. That is, your memory will grow with every effort, leading to a "mega … [Read more...]
Announcing Mega Memory Month
Did you know that October is Mega Memory Month?Well, maybe not everywhere. But it is Mega Memory Month here at my blog.In fact, this is Mega Memory Month Headquarters.And you're invited to join me in this month-long memorization extravaganza. I wanted to tell you enough in advance so you can have a few days to pray, plan and prepare.Here's how to participate: Pick … [Read more...]
How to Invite Chaos into Your Life in Four Easy Steps
It's easy to introduce mass chaos into your home, if you know how.Step One: Ignore various design flaws in your home for at least eight years. Thanks to the Law of Entropy, ignoring these issues is sure to complicate things immensely down the road.Step Two: Imagine you might be able to do the repairs yourself. Actually attempt a few of them yourself, but leave them … [Read more...]
Dara Torres: No Age Limit?
This is a little dated now, but I wanted to post what 41-year-old Olympic swimmer Dara Torres said in a televised interview right after helping win the silver for the United States women's relay team.The interviewer pointed out that Dara's two-year-old daughter Tessa won't remember this Olympics, so what will Dara tell her? Dara responded that she'd tell her:"You don’t … [Read more...]
Eco-Friendly Experiments: Bicycling to Church (and thoughts on patience)
This past week we've only had one van. The other one is in the shop for repairs. As a result, we've been creative with transportation solutions, running errands by bicycle or simply staying home some afternoons.Inspired by this forced experiment (and with this post from Anne Jackson still affecting me a little every time we fire up the van on a Sunday), we decided to ride … [Read more...]
Hey, I'm a 41-year-old Mom, Too! Dana Torres and I Have Sooo Much in Common!
Surely you've read about Olympic swimmer Dana Torres?If you haven't, here's the skinny (if I've cobbled together the details correctly):This former Olympian, now a 41-year-old mother of three (the most recent of the three kids was born only two years ago), came back from a six-year retirement to earn a spot on the team in the 100m freestyle.The 100m freestyle, people! … [Read more...]
Backyard Bounty
It isn't much, but given that I'm a novice gardener harvesting a small, weedy plot...Basil, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoesI'm pleased. … [Read more...]
Castle Dreams…or Nightmares?
We're in southern Belgium at the moment, in a town called Charleroi. You can see it on this map. This morning we said, "How about we drive to Dinant? It's not far, and the castle there is pretty interesting."When we described it, the kids were interested in seeing a castle set high on a hill, so we packed a picnic lunch and set off.After driving for a while, we realized … [Read more...]
Jesus, Be the Lord of My Life Today in New Ways
A couple of months ago, someone introduced this prayer to our church and invited people to commit to praying it for 30 days. Our little family happened to miss almost every weekend service at church that month, so we didn't end up joining the covenant.Later, I asked for a copy.Here it is:Jesus, be the Lord of my life today in new ways.Change me any way you want.Wash me … [Read more...]
Connections and Conclusions
As I stepped into the room where Phyllis Tickle was speaking, our eyes met and, in her words later, "I jumped! Did you see me jump?" She remembered. She remembered the transatlantic flight we shared in 2005, and the descent that led to my child's airsickness. She remembered how my husband and I mopped up vomit as the plane landed. She remembered handing me a paper … [Read more...]
How the Cuckoo Found its Voice – Resurrecting Forgotten Talents
At a friend's house, I took note of a beautiful cuckoo clock hanging on their family room wall. "I grew up in a home with a cuckoo clock," the host explained, "and I wanted my kids to enjoy one, too." I looked at my husband. He looked at me. "Do we still have it?" he asked. "We sure do," I answered. Take Time to Warm Up to Old … [Read more...]
Life. Parenting. Writing. Perspective. (Writing in the Midst of Motherhood)
I remember settling sideways in a black, plastic chair to sit across from a new client. I was developing my freelance corporate writing career simultaneous to incubating my first baby. My client, a land developer, stared doubtfully at the tent-like awning—er, maternity blouse—brushing the edge of the table. I tried tucking my "bump" under the table, but that didn't work. … [Read more...]
Grow as a Writer: Live Life, Take Risks, and Waterski
Fifteen years ago, I sat in a breakout session at a writers' conference listening to an author talk about the writing process. Experience Life The thing I remember most was this: "The best advice I can give you to help you grow as a writer is to experience life." What? We came to hear about queries and proposals. We wanted to learn how she organized submissions … [Read more...]
Benefit of the Doubt
Years ago I worked with Barbara. Barbara was old enough to be my mother. I was a young woman straight out of college on my first job in an administrative position that included some creative writing. Barbara answered phones. I'd hear her at the front desk from my office next door. "Good morning and thank you for calling. How may I help you?" Her voice was soft, sweet, … [Read more...]