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“Fighting the Shadows” on Sad Girls Club Lit

My creative nonfiction piece “Fighting the Shadows” was published on the online literary magazine, Sad Girls Club Lit. You can access it here: https://www.sadgirlsclublit.com/post/fighting-the-shadows-pauline-hawkins Also, Michael J. invited me to be on his live-stream show to read the piece and discuss it. You can access the recording here: https://fb.watch/1BjvcSjqS_/

For I Am Yours with Pauline, Carol Linn, and Lorraine

October 20, 2019 All In with Pauline Hawkins Lori McCarthy guest hosts the show, interviewing Pauline Hawkins (the author), Carol Linn Powell (the inspiration), and Lorraine Watry (the illustrator) about the children’s book, For I Am Yours, released on September 25th. It is a beautifully illustrated story about a baby and her blanket and theContinue reading “For I Am Yours with Pauline, Carol Linn, and Lorraine”

Episode 100: Serendipitous Text Message with Kasey Bergh

July 21, 2019 All In with Pauline Hawkins Kasey Bergh found new love when she sent a text and got a wrong number. Ultimately, they met, fell in love and got married 3 years later. Kasey and Henry’s love story has gone viral, not only because of that serendipitous text message but also because HenryContinue reading “Episode 100: Serendipitous Text Message with Kasey Bergh”

Serendipitous Text Message with Kasey Bergh

Choose to be Teachers and Students

My daughter and son-in-law asked me to speak at their wedding. I was honored but also hesitant–what could I, of all people in their lives, say about marriage? The only thing I know without a doubt. With their permission, here’s my speech: As we gather to celebrate your journey together, I want to share withContinue reading “Choose to be Teachers and Students”

YouTube, Armor, and Winning the War

As some of you know, Ian has a YouTube channel (link). He’s been making and uploading videos since he was 7 years old. I have been monitoring his site. I get an email whenever someone comments on his videos, and then I delete and report anyone who makes a nasty comment. He’s been called namesContinue reading “YouTube, Armor, and Winning the War”

Friday Writing Challenge: I Miss High School

Prompt: Something you miss I miss high school—not my teenage years but the years I spent teaching high school English. A few weeks ago, I went to the local high school with my son to see his friends play a 10-minute exhibition game as the half-time entertainment for the boys’ basketball game. As soon as IContinue reading “Friday Writing Challenge: I Miss High School”

Friday Writing Challenge: 10 Interesting Facts About Myself

This week’s prompt: Ten interesting facts about yourself. I’m a first generation American, born from Macedonian immigrants. This fact, however, is not what makes it interesting. What is interesting is what I gleaned from my family and what I have tried to pass on to my children. My parents and grandparents experienced America in a completelyContinue reading “Friday Writing Challenge: 10 Interesting Facts About Myself”

Friday Writing Challenge: My first kiss and first love

Writing Prompt: Your first love and first kiss; if separate, discuss both My first kiss: The sun was shining through the branches and leaves. His face was luminous and shadowy at the same time. Our faces were already close. The makeshift fort had just enough room for our young bodies to sit facing each other, ourContinue reading “Friday Writing Challenge: My first kiss and first love”

Friday Writing Challenge: A Favorite Movie

Inside Out I know. This is a Wednesday, but when I started writing about Inside Out last Friday, I realized this movie was a post I needed to write about, not for writing practice, but to explore why it impacted me so profoundly. When I taught American Literature, I told my students that we studyContinue reading “Friday Writing Challenge: A Favorite Movie”