Or earthquakes or wildfires, or any other natural disaster that leads to death and devastation for our fellow man? Or do we? I know I did, the past few days. And this isn’t the first time. It happens something like this: TV stations aired footage of Hurricane Sandy as it Read more…
In January, my friend Sheila and I went to Mexico for our mutual friend Olga’s wedding. We knew a little Spanish, but not much. An hour after our plane landed, we got into a car with two men, strangers we had never met, and began a one-hour journey to our Read more…
Sleeping on the floor in the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome has to be right up there with having a root canal. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being as good as it gets, I’ll give it a 1. Much as I love experiencing new things, I doubt Read more…
I can’t imagine a more beautiful setting for a writer’s conference: the Italian town of Matera is stunning. Just stunning! Yet simultaneously, it’s quaint and traditional. The Women’s Fiction Festival is held here every year. I’m here because I kept hearing Christine Witthohn, one of the festival sponsors, talk about Read more…
I’m in Italy, in the tiny town of Matera, trying to figure out how to write this, stitch up a pair of slacks and grab a bite to eat—all within 30 minutes. That’s when day two of the Women’s Fiction Festival is held here every year. I’m here because West Read more…
This fall get ready to load your Kindle with great books by 13 awesome authors in the Books-a-Fire Giveaway! During the entire month of September, you’ll have the opportunity to win a New Kindle Fire as well as weekly prizes of Amazon Gift Cards. Here are the details: 1. There Read more…
I’m just back from three days at Penn State, or State College, Pa., which are actually pretty much synonymous. That’s because the land-grant school came first, then the town grew up around it. Many businesses have something related to the university in their name or vision, and they all exist Read more…
When I was a teen my father hated that I wouldn’t remove my nose from the book I had in my hand long enough to see the sights on our summer vacations. (Well, I did, but only to appease him or to see something worth seeing.) He was fond of Read more…
I loved The Artist, and am happy it won Best Picture (and just about everything else) at the Oscars last night. I’ve wanted to write about the movie since I saw it during a matinee last week. I’m not a movie critic, nor do I write about movies, but it Read more…
I’m not sure, but I’m hoping to find out. Having just returned from Mexico and still ill, I’m a little behind the curve this week. But after my super drugs kick in (garlic, cayenne, and some great herbs to boost my immunity), I’m sure I’ll be back on track. Not Read more…