At many times–especially when I’ve got my whole foot in my mouth–I’ve wished for a rewind button for life. When Liam and I are having a great time, sometimes I wish I could press “pause” and hold onto the moment … Read more

Today I remember—and try to redeem—my not-always-loveable maternal grandmother, Martha Jean Schock.

My grandmother had drawn-on eyebrows and a permanent frown. She was tall and cast a long shadow when she walked past the hall night light. She hated being … Read more

“Productive” and “procrastination” may seem like words that don’t belong in the same time zone, much less the same sentence, but actually purposeful procrastination lets me squeeze out more productivity than I could otherwise manage with my maxed-out brain cells … Read more

Some of you were sure I was lying about having dropped out of high school back in my second round of two truths and a lie here.  But as I told you in this post, the following statement … Read more

In this post last week I started another little game of Two Truths and a Lie. What was the lie? It was…

(1) I had a secret rivalry with my older brother.

This was KIND OF a trick because our … Read more

Okay, get ready for another round of TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE.

(1) I had a secret rivalry with my older brother.

(2) I once fantasized about living in a trailer.

(3) I dropped out of high school at 16 … Read more

This pie chart… It’s so true it’s scary. Cruise over to Finding Wonderland to find more Toon Thursday treasures. Only don’t follow the link if you should be writing.

If you should be writing…. GO WRITE.

Things I do not know, a list from my writer’s notebook.

I do not know how to light a pipe. 

I do not know the rules of chess.

I do not know why my grandmother’s hands were soft.

I do … Read more

Not in the mood for sappy posts? Watch “Misery Bear’s Valentine’s Day” here. I promise it will make you laugh.

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More anti-Valentine’s Day sentiment to be found on this blog, including fantastic anti-romance images (you just have to … Read more

I wrote this personal mission statement some five years ago when I was teaching high school in Houston, and it still hangs over my desk, keeping me on track and reminding me of my scholars. Here’s the explanation on the … Read more