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My Lawn, My Anxiety Shire. A podcast. An invitation.

    This summer I signed up for Robin Wise’s Finding Your Voice online writing course with guest teacher Emily McDowell. We get a photo prompt every other day, totaling 28 prompts. I hold myself accountable to every prompt, writing both fiction and non. Occasionally, I share one on the medias. My Anxiety Shire The lawn never dries in back. All summer the rain and humidity gets trapped in its Rapunzel tresses, breeding mosquitoes and anxiety. You can mow a dry lawn in 45 minutes. You can zone out and enjoy the back and forth motion, the… Read More »My Lawn, My Anxiety Shire. A podcast. An invitation.

    A Tip Jar for Me

      Kid behaviors like fighting, whining, BackTalk (TM my Dad) and neglecting chores clamor for my husband and my attention on a loop. Too often we fail to recognize all the positive steps and good decisions our boys make. Thanks to an idea from my therapist mom, years ago we began using a tip jar as an incentive for our kids, and a reminder for ourselves to acknowledge their progress. The tip jar Caring gestures, good attitudes, generosity, cooperation– any and all of it earns a poker chip in the jar. When they fill the jar… Read More »A Tip Jar for Me

      Thrive With Brava and Me (This Friday May 10th)

        If you want to get your work out there – on stage, in a gallery setting, for a community event (fundraiser festival, reunion, etc) –  you need no formal training, nor invitation. You need not be a creative professional nor event planner. If you have passion for your idea, that’s what you need. Support and practical tips help. That’s where I come in! I spent much of the last decade coaching women with no directing/producing experience how to direct/produce their own LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER shows, and directed/produced dozens of various events myself. Join me… Read More »Thrive With Brava and Me (This Friday May 10th)

        Ugly Sound Time

          Every two weeks I go see my voice coach Abby. We do things like shout vowels across the room, impersonate Cher, and pretend to squeeze grapefruits under our armpits while belting GOODBYE TO BLUEBERRY PIE. It’s often ugly, embarrassing, and always always awesome. Laughter and trust make it possible, because I know Abby believes in me, plus she rules at both coaching and singing. Hire only talented instructors who believe in you. Ask my family and/or neighbors about the practicing sounds. No, don’t. There’s a reason I don’t subscribe to NextDoor. You know how much… Read More »Ugly Sound Time

          Back to Before

            I. Ever “after” Born out of the combination of full-time parenting and part-time self-employment, the twin approaches of get it going and good enough take me far . Yet in my mad dash toward done or “after,” I’ve often lacked the patience to buckle down and dive into the minutia of “before” where rich learning occurs; the kind that builds muscle and depth. Rediscovering singing in 2018 infused me with energy and joy. Despite not having sung on stage for 20 years, I didn’t hire a director or a vocal coach for my one-woman show in June. I… Read More »Back to Before

            Show up, then try a new another route. ZING! #30BrighterDays

              When I woke up I thought I might choose an “off” exercise day today. By the time my coffee kicked in and both boys left for school, I felt energized and laced up my running shoes. I typically run different variations of the same route, and as I neared my usual turn-around point, I decided to keep going and enjoy a detour onto the rustic trail that goes through the park (instead of the paved bike path). I had to watch my footing given all the leaves, roots, and rocks. Ducking under low brush, side-stepping… Read More »Show up, then try a new another route. ZING! #30BrighterDays

              #30BrighterDays

                Hi. It’s November. The days are getting darker and colder and grayer and damper. Sun will hold limited office hours, so I decided to plug in my blog and use it for a Lite Brite this month. Every day I plan to challenge myself to find my own brightness– to share something that will brighten my day and inspire you to find brightness, too. This picture was taken last weekend in Sturgeon Bay. The forecast predicted rain and more rain. While rain would not interfere with our overeating and laying on the couch Door County… Read More »#30BrighterDays

                Greetings from Wisconsin’s oldest living humor/cat/daughter blogger!

                  I am still here after 90 9 years. The world crumbles all around us, yet I remain ever your Wisco Jewess, your Stay-At-Home Humorist: fan of taglines, slightly energetic, semi-woke, and at the ready to entertain you with extraordinarily fresh content! ITEM. Toby has behavior problems. Hobbies include scaling heights, stealing food, and sneak attacks. Toby loves water and laughs in the face of our “get off the kitchen counter” spray bottle. We got him from a shelter so we can’t be certain of his breed, but he’s at least 60%  flying squirrel. He has… Read More »Greetings from Wisconsin’s oldest living humor/cat/daughter blogger!

                  Message In A Guest Book

                    Before we left for our annual trip to Lake Superior, I pulled a goddess card. The goddess I blindly selected told me to seek a spiritual place, a timely suggestion given Lake Superior tends to connect me to my spiritual side (also to my World’s Best Donuts side). Yesterday Mom and I went to a tiny private spa on an extraordinary cove; a haven on protected native land. Each time I visit, I sign the house guest book. A 2002 visit provided an oasis from corporate life. My second visit in 2003 coincided with a major… Read More »Message In A Guest Book

                    The Miracle of Ease

                      Miracle of Ease sounds like a digestive aid, a joint cream, or a low-impact exercise dance requiring a broomstick skirt. However, the miracle of ease I’m about to describe is a phenomenon in which a new door swings open before you, and the moment you step over the threshold people, funding and resources await you. I experienced a miracle of ease when I founded Listen To Your Mother. The show came together in a matter of weeks, a venue became available for minimal up-front costs, the talent came in droves, and the audience and press… Read More »The Miracle of Ease