Don’t get me started because you’ll never get me to stop-oops, too late! — The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man. T.S.Eliot I am crazy for libraries. I love a library with marble steps, giant portraits of founders, stone pillars, a fountain, carved mahogany circulation desk, and a bathroom with toilet…

Photoshoots and editorial meetings are fun when we are in charge — Jane and I met on the Bridge of Flowers last weekend for a photoshoot in preparation for the launch of our new publication Karen and Jane’s 100 Words for 100 Days Challenge. It was early evening and most…

New year, new beginnings — Happy New Year to us! Here we are entering another year in crisis- global pandemic, war, famine, environmental catastrophe. How are we gonna find a way to keep going forward? How are we going to set things right? I wish I had the answers. All I have to offer is…

I Dance in Libraries with a Snake — I am happy, a dancer, and a mom. I perform in schools, libraries and at cultural events as Hadama Seshat. American Cabaret style belly dancers choose a stage name that reflects their aesthetic or higher calling. When I joined The Crescent Dancers in 2002, I needed a name. My screen…

Even in the darkest days (and I sadly remind you we are not there yet), there is reason to find joy — More mass shootings from Boston to Sacramento over the weekend. Four in Illinois alone. The New York Times reports six people shot dead and dozens wounded during a Fourth of July celebration in Highland Park, Ill. Meanwhile, women’s reproductive freedom and access to health care are threatened by the Supreme…

We don’t all have to be good at everything, right? — My asparagus harvest doubled this year from last. I added the four spears to the bundle I bought at the farmer’s market. Growing things is hard. I’d rather spend my time sitting under a shady tree watching the butterflies and hummingbirds that come to drink nectar from wildflowers. I never…

Finding freedom within the structure works for me and maybe will for you too — Day 49, and so far I have written and published my 100 words every single day. Even on days I woke up with a headache, was on vacation, thought I had Covid, felt angry, defeated, empty, had to go to a meeting, was worried sick, didn’t have a spare second…

Looking back, it all made sense — Sylvia was jostled by the kid next to her when he leaned hard and fast away from the aisle. A beefy eighth-grader had piped up, “okay, who farted?” and everyone had quickly said “not me.” She tried to ignore them all as she sat quietly watching the raindrops snake in…

Let’s face it, the world is scary and so is that unopened box — You got it for Christmas or bought on a whim The ultimate pot to cook your food in You thought you’d make yogurt, bean soup, and stew Simple joy in the kitchen would be something new Can beans really be cooked without being soaked? Should you start with a chicken or…