Years ago I took a writing course from the amazing Sarah Dessen. "Before we start," Sarah said. "I want to share a story." In unison we snatched our pens and poised them over paper. "Nothing you need to write down," she laughed. "Just an explanation why I'm tired today. I call it biscuiting." (pens poised. *crickets* from the room.) "In the South, women bring homemade ... Continue Reading
17 years ago in the basement of a jail…
subtitle: this is such a life-minutiae post there isnt disclaimer large or verbose enough. you'll have that. I never really thought Id get married. Actually strike that. I had such a poor track-record of not wanting to hurt people's feelings I always envisioned myself proposed to, saying YES! (while never intending to follow through), and ending up stuck. And married. I wasnt the ... Continue Reading
If one woman told the truth…
Muriel Rukeyser's quote has been on my mind. It's rattled around my head as Ive read posts & articles about FAKEBOOKing and artfully arranged Instagram photos designed to create a veneer of perfection which will elicit envy from others. I don't wholly agree with the assertion these writings are intended to make others covet perfect lives---often, I believe, they're manufactured as much for ... Continue Reading
Opening our 2013 GRATITUDE jar.
It is FINALLY time to *open* our 2013 jar & re-visit the many things for which we were grateful. If you didn't join us last year--consider this your invitation to find a jar, snip some papers, and git ready for 2014! From the time the Tornado was TINY we've focused on gratitude with her. Each night we pray for others, ourselves, and add a snippet of what we're grateful for ... Continue Reading
How to build muscle and lose weight–without losing your mind.
Yes, People. It's here. It's waiting for you. It's in the pile of e-books promising a new! fitter! happier! you! (ok not so much...unless you aspire to be a misfit) Far more pressing, however, a post imploring you to purchase, is my wanting to share *why* I ever joined the e-masses. It took me a while to decide. I love e-books. Im a voracious reader. Im a prolific ... Continue Reading
what you can when you can (AKA #wycwyc).
For me (and, for good or for bad, I am my brand) the entirety of life is about consistency. Fitness? I dont workout for long periods of time. I do workout consistently. A little bit each day. Day in and out. Month in and out. Year in and out. Parenting? Lord knows I dont rock the motherhood 24/7. I do my best each day, consistently, and try again the next dawn. Fiction writing? I ... Continue Reading
Fighting holiday frazzle with E.A.T.S.
Before the Tornado arrived on the scene I was prideful. I boasted about the fact Hanukkah is a low stress, minor holiday. I shared with frazzled friends how Thanksgiving wasnt a huge, over-the-top deal for my family. And, since we dont celebrate Christmas, December 25th was a looked-forward-to oasis of calm I *treasured.* Before the Tornado I was prideful. I needed no acronym to ... Continue Reading
Accidental goal achievement.
Years ago. Many. Perhaps around twenty? I had a conversation with my then-boyfriend/now-husband: I long to be the individual people look at and wonder: Does she own a car? I always see her on her bike! Seriously. Does she own a car?! I dont even know precisely why I longed for this (remnants of college Grateful Dead loving days? a sense of wanting the freedom I surmised a bike-only ... Continue Reading
Eight mitzvahs.
To my tremendous dismay shock the Tornado turns eight this weekend. Seriously. Shock could not be more fitting a word. When I launched this blog she looked something like this: Hovered around here for a while: Started school and plateaued here for a bit: And then seemingly *suddenly* shotUPgrewUP to this: I recall feeling sad when she turned five because it felt ... Continue Reading
Comfort food.
As much as Ive struggled in my transition to Oakland there are many facets of my new 'hood which are better than the ATX!!! I really enjoy. The sidewalk yoga. The people the people! The lovely lake. The farmer's markets. Nothing has impacted me as profoundly, however, as our new synagogue (which surprised this Misfit Jew as "non-traditional" doesnt begin to ... Continue Reading
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