I got several comments last week on my blog post about New Year’s Resolutions. One of them was from a friend who—like me—still makes New Year’s Resolutions every year. She said she believes that winter is a time to rest, but also a time when the world is preparing to bloom again, and that taking small steps every day to reach her big dreams keeps her moving in the right direction. She also told me about something she made last year that I think is [...]
This blog post was written by a human. I never thought to say that before—never thought I needed to—but, as Bob Dylan once sang, the times they are a-changin’. I’ve been concerned for a while now about the use—and misuse—of artificial intelligence (AI). Especially when it comes to writing. As a writer, editor, and occasional judge of students’ writing competitions, I’m especially concerned with AI replacing the work of human hands. Not just because it raises the issue of plagiarism to a new level, but [...]
So here we are, a week into the New Year, and I’m still working on my New Year’s Resolutions. I guess that means “Quit procrastinating” is off the table. Actually, I haven’t been procrastinating. I’ve just been changing my mind a lot. Which means “Be more decisive” is probably also off the table. Here’s the thing. At Mass on New Year’s Day, our pastor’s homily touched on New Year’s Resolutions. As you would expect, he didn’t focus on losing weight or cleaning out closets, but [...]
There are times—like right now, on election day—when I worry about the state of our country and the world. I’m concerned about all the angry rhetoric, the threats of violence, and the explosive tempers that seem to be the norm these days. It makes me wonder what kind of example we’re setting for our children, and what kind of lessons we’re teaching them. Then I come across someone like Stanley Tucker. And I’m comforted and relieved to know that because of people like him, there’s [...]
I’m on Day 15 of a 21-day challenge I started on April 4. Please don’t do the math. Not long ago, a friend of mine mentioned she was getting ready to begin a 21-day challenge for toning and strengthening her arms. A few days later, we had an unseasonably warm day, and I texted my friend this message: “I put on a short-sleeved shirt this morning and realized I REALLY need that 21-day arm challenge! Can you send me the link?” It was a pretty [...]
A number of years ago—eight, to be exact—we were visiting our daughter and got into a discussion about the upcoming election. I told my daughter that she would make a good president, and suggested jokingly that she consider running. Then, just for fun, I went on to name different departments, agencies, or cabinet positions that members of our family would be suited for. I came up with one for my husband, our kids, and a few other family members—everyone but myself. That’s when I decided [...]
I’m starting to see double, and I’m not quite sure what to do about it. It’s not a vision problem I’m dealing with, it’s a problem with double-booking myself, and not even realizing it. This has never been much of an issue for me before. Whenever two events I want to attend are taking place on the same day, at the same time, I simply choose one, and put the details on my calendars. I have two—the one on the kitchen counter that I look [...]