October 20th, 2022 → 6:06 am
“Life’s uncertain voyage.” — Timon of Athens
My narrative memoir about life’s uncertain voyage is live! You can now get your copy of Seeking Forgiveness in one bound product, instead of chapter by chapter off the BeforeFergusonBeyondFerguson website. It has been quite a journey; from living, to writing, to editing, to publishing, to promoting this story. Phew! I am eternally thankful to everyone who has helped me and supported me along the way. To good storytelling, wonderful people, and a life filled with family and love!
Filed under: Books I'm Reading & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life
October 12th, 2022 → 5:45 am
“My good will is great, though the gift is small.” — Pericles
I was recently honored as a Social Impact Author by Authority Magazine. It really touched me. All authors are motivated to write by some internal drive, the genesis of which varies per person, but for me one of the main drivers is to highlight and share diverse perspectives on the world. If, through storytelling, we can increase our understanding and awareness of alternative life experiences, how can this not help bind us together? How can it not help smooth the wrinkles, and mend the tears, in society’s common tapestry? But most importantly, Michelle Obama, if you’re reading this, lunch is on me!
Filed under: Literature/Theatre/Art & Other & Self/My Life
September 2nd, 2022 → 6:19 am
“The eye sees not itselfBut by reflection, by some other things.” — Julius Caesar
Another author interview with me was published today. I always find reading such pieces fascinating. I can remember giving the interview, of course, and answering some of the questions, but when I read what is actually written up I’m often thinking, was that me?
I believe the surprise is a combination of what the journalist chose to actually put in the published piece, and, selective memory of what I said only days before, but either way, reading about myself in published articles is always part fascinating, part frightening, and 100% enlightening.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life
August 9th, 2022 → 9:53 am
“Hear my soul speak:
The very instant that I saw you, did
My heart fly to your service.” — Tempest
Seeking Forgiveness is a love letter to my son. And the proof of it arrived in the mail yesterday. Exciting!!
Filed under: Blog & Books I'm Reading & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life
July 14th, 2022 → 6:36 am
“The prize of all-too-precious you.” — Sonnet 23
In Chapter 7 of Seeking Forgiveness, out this week, a LEGO minifigure becomes the wordless bond between Miles and Rachel.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
July 13th, 2022 → 7:09 am
“O let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast.” — Sonnet 23
After a rather long hiatus, I’m back to talk about my latest novel, Seeking Forgiveness, currently being serialized in the racial equity storytelling project Before Ferguson Beyond Ferguson, but soon to be published in the fall. Stay tuned for more!
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
June 25th, 2018 → 6:38 am
“Grief fills the room up of my absent child,
Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me,
Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words,
Remembers me of all his gracious parts,
Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.” – King John
My son has left for summer camp (a 2-week overnight camp), and it is just so unnatural without him. His presence fills the house; his toys, his clothes, his smell… his laughter, his smiles, his questions… My son will return in two weeks, yet if his brief absence to this happy place is still so biting, I literally cannot imagine what the bereft parents at the U.S. border are going through right now.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
May 18th, 2018 → 5:45 am
“Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel.” – Hamlet
I made a new friend yesterday afternoon, and then met up with an old friend after work for coffee. A medium friend (what do you call someone who isn’t a new friend or an old friend, but a recent friend of 2-3 years??) I found out is leaving the United States at the end of summer and moving to the Netherlands; I don’t know when I’ll see her again. Friends come and friends go, they give pleasure and sadness, and if I could grasp some of them with hoops of steel, believe me, I would.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
May 7th, 2018 → 5:54 am
“The seasons alter…
the spring, the summer,
The childing autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The semester is ending, the weather is turning, neighbors are moving, colleagues are retiring, change is afoot. I feel the need to grasp onto something steady, heavy, and strong. As the rivulets of life rush past, cool, wet, and murky, I look into the waters and consider. And sigh. And then, as a yellow butterfly winks past, I slip off my shoes and step into the stream and enjoy.
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life
April 14th, 2018 → 6:44 am
“Unless hours were cups of sack, and minutes capons,
and clocks the tongues of bawds, and dials the signs of leaping houses,
and the blessed sun himself a fair hot wench in flame-colored taffeta,
I see no reason why thou shouldst be so superfluous
to demand the time of the day.” – Henry IV, Part I
This quote reminded me of my mother, who was famously bad at small talk. A woman in an elevator once said to my mother, “Nice weather we’re having.” To which she replied, “I find that insignificant.” Ah, my mother… A flawed but fierce woman, whom I miss terribly….
[Note: “leaping houses” refers to brothels, and “dials” to sundials]
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life