I say Pecha, you say Kucha…

What an honor and a pleasure to be part of the Artist INC Lawrence community with a group of such richly talented artists. Our final class culminated in each of us giving a presentation (called a Pecha Kucha) on stage of the Lawrence Arts Center. It is a format used to prevent blathering on about…

Inspired

When I think of being in an inspiring environment I think of water. The kind of water that goes as far as eye can see, as though it will never meet solid ground. The kind of water that doesn’t exist in the native prairies of my Kansas homeland. The kind of water that clearly exerts…

It’s Not Boring

Four years ago I pulled out one of my favorite quotes from Ruth Reichl when posting about upcoming changes at our former restaurant Esquina. I find I am drawn to it again… “Moderation in all things is a mantra we’ve been hearing a lot about of late. It is healthy. It is sane. It is…

Hello 2016

There is something forced and arbitrary about celebrating New Year’s Eve that I’ve sometimes bristled against. Some of this surely  is based on the fact that I worked it for many years, serving food and drinks to people often desperate to have a good time. It is not a celebration that always brings out the…

StoryCorps Magic

Do you believe that one conversation can change your life? If ever I had doubted it, now I know for sure that it’s true. This is my new friend Melanie. We met to participate in a StoryCorps interview. She had been a nurse with AIDS patients for the over thirty years. We met in Chicago…

Post From Patmos

It goes against my Midwestern sensibilities to brag, but I’m going to admit that I’ve always been a good sleeper. I’ve had two newborn babies to attend to; I know how critical it is to sleep through the night. So it pains me to say that I’ve not slept well on this stunning Greek island…

I Leave For Greece on Friday

Why would I get on a plane to travel halfway across the world from my family? To attend a writer’s salon on the island of Patmos, Greece led by Cheryl Strayed and other talented storytellers. I wrote The Decision is My Story which covers the angst I felt in making the decision to go. And now it’s…

My All Time Most Requested Dessert From Days Gone By…

Back when I was the pastry chef for Krause Dining, I planned and executed the nightly menu’s two served desserts as well as the small plate of mignardises (at least three tiny sweets) to pass at the table. I tried to change these items regularly, but one dish I put together was hard to ever…

Because It’s Father’s Day

Father’s Day can be one of those bittersweet holidays. I’ll start with my sweet, this guy… He’s been carrying those two since they were born. He always shows up, constantly sacrifices for their behalf, is spontaneous and fun, and is such a great model of hard work and ingenuity. I am daily grateful for the…

Get It Done in 5 Simple Steps

Ok, so none of these steps are exactly easy, but it’s not rocket science either. Attempt anything new and the inner critic is typically there, yammering away in your ear about all the reasons you should not proceed; this voice is not your friend. I went to a wonderful Local Author Workshop last year at…