“Debt Collector” on ZO Magazine

Debt Collector on ZO Magazine

My poem, “Debt Collector”, is up on ZO Magazine. Love the photo that was paired with it! Photo by Craig Brunetti, Stephen Paddock, Sean Carroll. “This is the imaginal disc of a developing wing of African butterfly Bicyclus Anynana created by …

Continue reading

Book Review of “The Enchanted” by Rene Denfeld

"The Enchanted" by Rene Denfeld

I absolutely loved Rene Denfeld’s, The Enchanted. This novel had veracity, heart, and compassion among many interesting characters, both inside and outside the confines of a prison. Like any great book, I slowed down towards the end because I didn’t want …

Continue reading

On Suicides and Vague Eulogies

Sunset

I met a man, I’ll call Tony, three years ago when we both volunteered at St. Anthony’s Dining Room in San Francisco, an organization that serves people in poverty. For some reason, I had thought about him a couple of …

Continue reading

Book Review of “Writing Away” by Lavinia Spalding

Writing Away by Lavinia Spalding

Writing Away: A Creative Guide to Awakening the Journal-Writing Traveler by Lavinia Spalding is a great writing resource. Whether you plan to explore a faraway land or someplace within your city limits, this book is chockfull of prompts, tips, and …

Continue reading

A Teacher of Life — Oliver Sacks

Oliver Sacks (Photo by Luigi Novi)

I wonder how many healthcare professionals had Oliver Sacks as part of their education through his books, wisdom, or research. He shaped me as an occupational therapy student back in the early 90’s. I loved and respected his ability to …

Continue reading

Responsible Me vs. Playful Me

Brady Contemplates Her Next Move

Once upon a Saturday, Responsible Me tugged the front ends of her jacket, smoothed the backside of her skirt, and seductively whispered in my ear, “You know what a high it is to cross off items on your To Do …

Continue reading

Book Review of “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

On the first night of the 24th Annual Travel Writers and Photographers Conference at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA, I sat down for dinner at a large table. To my right at the end was Maureen Wheeler, one of …

Continue reading

The Game of Life, One Tile at a Time

The Game of Life, One Tile at a Time

As I write and edit today as well as make a gift for someone using a Scrabble board, I’m struck by how something small, such as a letter, can turn into a word, then a sentence, to a paragraph, and …

Continue reading

Cell Phones and Short Attention Spans

Distracted Parents

Attention. Lately, I’ve reflected on it both personally and professionally, the latter with respect to my roles as an occupational therapist (OT) and as a writer. OTs are trained to observe others while they engage in meaningful occupations in order …

Continue reading

May is Mental Health Month

Brain

According to MentalHealth.gov, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every …

Continue reading