Defining freedom: The old/new lure of socialism On this Independence Day weekend, taking a few moments to consider defining freedom – for ourselves, our lives and our choices-seems fitting. I find this old/new lure of socialism antithetical to what we stand for in this country founded under God. But this is clearly not so for …
Death, Hope, Heaven, What are we here for, anyway? In my pre-Catholic ‘pagan’ years, I worried about death. Mostly because I feared standing before a God I did not think I believed in and explaining why I had wasted knowledge, understanding, and time. After twenty years as a Catholic, I would like to think that …
Death, Hope, Heaven- What Are We Here for Anyway? Read More »
King David, You, Me and Idleness It isn’t as if King David opened his eyes that morning, to ask, “What are the 3 most effective ways I can take this blessed God-Given-Life and invoke the worst conceivable miseries upon me and on everyone I love, am obligated to?” Or “How can I best take the …
Could we have it wrong? Is it about avoiding unhappiness? ” So, are you happy now that I, Claudia is done?” I stared at my psychologist husband and grudgingly admitted. “I was happier while writing it because now I’m wondering what to do in the next book…” We had been discussing happiness. That everyone says …
Could We Have It Wrong?-Is it About Avoiding Unhappiness? Read More »
Angels- Bible Fantasy or Real? The Christian liturgy celebrates the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Rafael on September 29th. Three days later on October 2nd, we celebrate our Guardian angels. Catholics were brought up believing, even trusting, in their Guardian Angels. For the rest of us, the notion of such heavenly beings was fitting …
Revisiting the Three Rules for Writing A Novel As I close in the completion of my latest book, I, Claudia, I need to review this wonderful quip of a writer far more well-known than I. “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” I love quotes like this …
Gratitude: What is it? The word gratitude doesn’t resemble what it signifies. Both the noun gratitude and its adverb grateful seem to me to be passive, inert, easily overlooked. Maybe that is why so few of us talk about it. In a world where so many billions live in conditions which would be considered unacceptable …
How do we package love? That question needs a bit of reflection, right? It’s a bit of a mixed metaphor, isn’t it? Or, is it? Three reasons to consider our overemphasis on the packaging of love. Pretty, glitzy paper and ribbons tend to get us much more interested than does a plain wrapper, encouraging us …
Work related myths like working through lunch and the weekend: Was there a time when you fell for them? Way too busy to take a break? Annoyed with those who did? Considered yourself a master multitasker? Times when you prided yourself on skipping or eating lunch at your desk? Or decided not to take vacation …
Taking Breaks, Multitasking, Fourteen Hour Days: Work Related Myths Read More »
More lessons from Shadow implies there have been previous ones, right? That’s because this guy has taught me innumerable lessons. The most recent? He provided a map for the plot of the novel I am currently writing. Perhaps you think I exaggerate? At least overstate? I’ll start with some of his earliest lessons. Then maybe …