I was irritated that our plan was not unfolding as I had wanted it to. I was to fly back to Kansas to be with our older daughter while Robert was to fly to Palm Springs to spend a few days with our youngest; a complicated divide and conquer scenario dependent on flying stand-by. The…
Hot and Cold
Driving a Jeep with no top in the desert this week with my youngest daughter and her friend has reminded me of something that Cheryl Strayed taught in the workshop I was lucky enough to attend in Patmos, Greece – The power of holding two opposing truths in one hand. It’s hot here in Palm…
On Saying Goodbye
I’m working on a collaboration with Lawrence artist Kent Smith that is taking shape as a interactive journal/activity-book for caregivers. It’s a work in progress that I’m really excited about, so I’m attaching a short piece I wrote with it in mind. I hope you are well and that you have moments like I did…
Collateral Beauty
I feel privileged to share a beautiful essay by someone near and dear to me, my sister Nicole Palmer. I’ve been deep into writing about our childhood as I finish my memoir and I loved her honest perspective. I hope you find it as moving as I did. Love, Molly ONE OF THE SMART…
To be in seventh grade
When I’m reading something – whether it’s a novel, memoir or Facebook post – and I can relate, even if it’s an experience I’ve never had but my gut whispers ‘me too’, then I know I’m in a good place. That’s why I read and why I write, to commune with another over words. Sometimes…
Justice, Mercy, Humility
One thing I love about teaching writing is how much I learn. One of my adult students brought to class a writing prompt and an opportunity to share our work through her church, Plymouth Congregational Church (their Facebook page reads No matter who you are, you are welcome here). The assignment was to write a Micah…
Being Schooled
My motto of saying yes to opportunity has led to me to show up feeling unqualified before. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when standing in front of a room of seventh graders that the little voice in my head asked me – what did you think you were going to accomplish here? I immediately said…
A New Essay
I wrote this piece last year so I decided to be brave and share it with you all. Maybe it will resonate with you… Lying to My Daughter and Other Victories “A vitamin,” I answered, before I had time to think. It was early, still dark, and I hadn’t even had my first cup of…
Cookies & Souffle
I spent many years as a pastry chef trying to figure out how to make desserts delicious. I didn’t go to culinary school, but learned so much on the job working alongside Robert. I no longer work in the kitchen, but when I heard about an idea that women bakers in Portland came up with…
Remembering My Dad on World AIDS Day
My dad, Joh Krider, died from AIDS complications almost exactly twenty years ago in December 1996. This picture of us was taken over a year before he died. There is so much I love about it, not the least of which is that it captures me rocking my favorite outfit of that era. I only…
Molly Krause Creates 