A Week in the Life Hello, friend! This week I became my own boss. Not in a dramatic, cinematic way—just an ordinary Monday with a kickoff call at 1:00 for the kind of work I've been doing for 20 years—except I don't have a boss. I have a client. New dream level: unlocked! But the moment from the week I keep coming back to happened Friday, over coffee with a woman who came to my book signing at the library. We talked. I hugged her goodbye, then something happened that caught me off guard....
9 days ago • 1 min read
August Doesn't Count Hudson Heartbreaker - My Joy Boy - The Wagger with Swagger When I was a kid, I used to think of summer as May, June, and July. For many years (maybe all of them...I can't remember), we returned to school the last week of August–which took August out of the running as a summer month! These days, this dog rules my summer (and autumn and winter and spring) and I'm here for it! Our walks have been intermittent because of either pouring rain and unrelenting humidity, but we...
15 days ago • 3 min read
A Week in the Life Every week I'm going to show you what it actually looks like to build a writing life as a solopreneur. It's called The Weekly ChRONicle. My days, my goals, Hudson making more cameos than he's earned. I plan to add some journaling time at the end in case anyone is interested in journaling with me. Think of this first one as the first pancake. May not look amazing. Still tasty. [Watch the first episode] Tell me what you think in the comments—I'm still shaping this. Thank you...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Speaking at my Hometown Library A woman came up to the table after my talk and asked me to sign a book. I asked her name so I could inscribe it, and somewhere between the first letter and the last, she started to cry. Her wife of forty-some years had died two years ago. Her name was Angela. Beautiful name. I got up and hugged her. I told her to keep saying that name out loud. Keep telling people about her. Because she was important, and still is. That conversation is why I wrote the book. All...
29 days ago • 2 min read
Happy August! Wait…It’s August?! Hi, friend- I'm on the patio while Hudson keeps watch for a bunny or squirrel to stroll by. (It hasn't happened. Ever.) But hope springs eternal, and so does he. My joy boy Somehow it's August. Which means it's been seven months since I sat up in bed on New Year's Day and said, out loud, to nobody: "My book comes out this year!" It did. Thank you for all your support. More on where things go next below—but first, I want to tell you about someone. Why it's...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Summer is Summering! Hi, friend— I hope summer/winter is treating you well (depending on your hemisphere!). Our weather has grown cooler, and Hudson and I have taken advantage of time outside in the yard and on neighborhood walks. And also naps! The Audiobook Is Rolling Out! Recording the audiobook for The Luck We Carry was both fun and surreal! I loved doing it, but it was odd listening to it once the audio engineer did his magic. Hearing my voice tell me my own story from outside my body...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Who Doesn't Love a Rebrand? Hi, friend— During my hiatus from corporate work (something I'm working to make permanent to pursue my writing and creative efforts—and to connect with people like you!) I've been reviewing all the assets that comprise my communications channels to harmonize them. I liked the old title because it was accurate at the time, but it was a little too long. And I always thought that. Sometimes, you just have to create something and go with it. But I have the URL...
2 months ago • 4 min read
A Pride Celebration, a Surprise Reunion, and Books Sold! Hi, friend- June was a banger of a month! We kicked off with Pride in Park Ridge on Friday, June 5. It was the third annual event, and so much fun! Lots of love, kindness, and connection. I had many people stop by to hear about the book. And I sold 10! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and especially to those who picked up a copy. It means so much to me! A special thanks to my friend, Pam, who has been "the six gun by my side" for...
3 months ago • 5 min read
The June of It All Hi, friend- June is a big month for me. The 15th anniversary of Ken's death is today, June 1. And though it's not always a heavy date for me these days, it's always a solemn one. But this year feels very different, and it didn’t occur to me until this morning when I was thinking about this day, and all the June 1’s that started in 2011 when I had to kiss Ken goodbye. It’s the book. Writing about him, me, and our journey together and casting out it out into the universe...
4 months ago • 4 min read