It’s kind of semi-official, but not yet announce-able that I’m helping someone write their memoir.  How’s that for vague? It has been an incredible experience so far, recording stories and feelings of a different life.  Writing memoir from the perspective of a different person is very similar to getting into a character’s mind while writing fiction. Except there is a certain objectiveness to it that doesn’t come with writing fiction—everything must be in line and confirmed with the co-author. I imagine it is ... Read More

Hurts ... Read More

As a hairstylist, I have what we commonly refer to as “back rocks” and trust me, they don’t rock.  They are hardened muscle knots, typically on the trapezoids and around the shoulder blades.  I can hear them crunching when I move, or press on them. I’m getting older, and things like this don’t magically get better on their own.  I also can’t retire when I’m forty, unless I magically become a best selling author, which, let’s face it—in today’s publishing economy, probably ain’t ... Read More

I will not be posting entire chapters of the new novel, Tennessee as I did with Recovering Ramona, but I will occasionally post a snippet here or there.  A teaser, if you will: It’s a terrible thing for a man to never see his home again, not even for his own mother’s funeral.  I probably wouldn’t recognize it now, almost thirty years gone by.  I read on some website that they are cutting the tops off our mountains.  That precious coal that filled my grandfather’s lungs with its blackness until it threw him in the grave still holds ... Read More

Remember my new favorite blog? Well, Mark Tucker graciously did a post on me and the fam.  I’m so blessed to be surrounded by so many creative and talented people. . . Here’s the ... Read More

Here is the finished commissioned painting of Johnny Cash: It was so much fun to get back into painting.  I stayed up one night until 2 am, which I never do.  I’m a 10:30 kind of girl. I’ve decided that I am going to take commissions of portraits to help pay for the publishing of my next novel (which I have officially started).  Price will depend on size of canvas, but they will be moderately priced.  If you have any interest, please email me at ... Read More

I was a studio art minor in college, and used to paint.  Used to.  It’s probably been ten years since I’ve done a serious painting.  There was a man working at my parents’ house, and he saw some of my old paintings.  Of course my mom gave him my number straight away, and he commissioned me to do a painting of Johnny Cash.  Ummmm, no pressure or anything. Here’s my sketch so far: I came across this artist, Alexa Meade, who uses real people as her canvas: Pretty wild, huh? I’m glad to be re-exploring this ... Read More

Here is an easy, but fancy looking meal that will impress your friends. I bought the boneless leg of lamb at Trader Joe’s, already seasoned and tied.  The cooking instructions are even on the label!  Meat thermometers are also my new best friend, so there is no guessing. Fingerling potatoes: chop, throw in skillet, plenty of olive oil, some salt and pepper, on med heat until brown and crispy. Salad:  i bought dried Bing cherries and poached them on low in balsamic vinegar and cranberry juice for 20 minutes.  After it cooled, I added ... Read More