This week tore apart a lot of lives. And I've been wondering what I can do other than feel bad. Feeling bad is an okay place to start, and you can't deny emotion which operates on its own compass, but it's no place to stay. Sometimes I tell my son, "If you want to feel …
Violence-ophilia? Is that a word? Seems as if it should be. It's a virus, right? Sorry, Earth Humans. You've tested positive for the often fatal Violence-ophilia. Without treatment, prognosis is grim. Nonetheless, treatment is long and painful and not for the faint of heart. Step One: Accept diagnosis. Many patients prefer not to know. Step …
I'm trying to stay calm in the storm of election season. In real life on a bad day, I tend to talk back to the radio, which is a silly thing to do. Right? Of course it is. Take a deep breath. Count to ten. But all that aside, I just had an art show …
Continue reading If you can’t stay calm, make good art or dance.
I'm not writing to change anyone's mind. I'm writing because it's late and I can't sleep. Many people have written moving, important, and scathing things over the last few days. Really, such things are written after every tragedy. Which of those things made a difference? Maybe something made a difference to you. I hope so. …
First off, for the record, I never watched the Fear Factor reality show. Well, once when visiting my dad, but in dad's house we watch whatever his wife wants to watch--even though there are four TVs in the house. End of discussion. In any event, I'm not a big fan of fear. I'll watch a …
I write. I make art. I also send my son to speed skate competitions. My son hopes to attend the national speed skating competition this summer. With hard work, good luck, and a little help from the friends far and wide, we might raise the money to send him to Lincoln, Nebraska where he'll skate …
It's that holiday again. Every holiday seems to come with issues, right? New Year's Day has its resolutions and people who mock resolutions. It makes Facebook hit us with the-year-in-review, which for some folks is more of a reminder-of-heartache-loss-and failure. Thanks, FB! Valentine's Day makes some lovers happy, makes some lovers guilty (gifts? argh!), and …
Against my better judgment, I'm participating in Story-a-Day May again this year. (If you're giving it a try, let me know!) I love Story-a-Day because it motivates me. I like the pressure. It's why I like NaNoWriMo as well. With no pressure, I'll just sit and stare into space, dismissing every idea and distracting myself …
I didn't know that much about Ann Richards while she was governor of Texas. I'm not from Texas, after all. I learned about her from my husband. When I met my husband-to-be, he had a picture of himself standing with Ann, a picture we still have and display. She was a strong leader with a …
Hermione Granger stood up for the weak. She helped. She fought the good fight. Clara Barton did the same. In 1881 Ms. Barton founded the Red Cross. The suffering of soldiers in the Civil War didn't just distress her, it moved her to action. She had leadership skills and charisma and never thought of herself …
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 