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Getting Ready Time #30BrighterDays

    In seventh grade I got my very popular best friend Megan all to myself for trick-or-treating. I dressed as JR from Dallas wearing one of my step-dad’s sport coats, and she dressed as Sue Ellen wearing a flouncy prairie dress out of the back of my closet that someone must’ve worn in a 1970s wedding party. We danced along the rainy streets, with a silly walk and a song about Megan’s splint. Megan had a splint because she nearly ran through a window, gashing her wrist during a middle school rendition of boys-chase-girls at a… Read More »Getting Ready Time #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!

        Book giveaway: Janine Kovac’s Spinning (life on stage meets life in the NICU)

          Given that I have spent the last decade immersed in motherhood stories, and given my lifetime love affair with the stage, it comes as no surprise that Janine Kovac’s beautifully crafted memoir Spinning: Choreography for Coming Home kept me turning the pages. Wait. Actually it is a surprise, because I’ve heard, read, and written hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of mother stories. While I can appreciate nearly any true story of motherhood, to really grip me and keep me with you after all these mother words takes something special. Spinning is something special.   When Janine… Read More »Book giveaway: Janine Kovac’s Spinning (life on stage meets life in the NICU)

          Practice anti-perfection with me

            I live mostly in gratitude right now for my dry safe home and healthy loved ones. If you live out of harm’s way like I do today–for this moment–you, too, likely hold sadness and deep sympathy for the suffering due to the hurricanes, forest fires, and deportation threats. The list of potential and imminent tragedies looms large and touches so many people. You probably have taken action steps to give or help however you can. I have too, and will leave some links below. I’m also preparing for my talk at the DreamBank next week on… Read More »Practice anti-perfection with me

            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

              Happy Father’s Day, Kaleem! #ShareTheLuv by Treating Devoted Dads and Caregivers

                This post is sponsored by Luvs Father’s Day is an important day for dads, moms, children and families around the U.S. and Luvs invited me to celebrate a devoted dad in Madison. Caire family portrait, 2014 If you live in the Madison-area, you’re likely familiar with Kaleem Caire. Kaleem is a doting dad to five kids and husband to Black Women’s Wellness Day founder and host Lisa Peyton-Caire. Kaleem devotes his working hours to serving dozens of families and future leaders through One City Early Learning, and has dedicated himself to countless others through his… Read More »Happy Father’s Day, Kaleem! #ShareTheLuv by Treating Devoted Dads and Caregivers

                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

                  What’s Next?

                    A last nod to the production office, backstage at the Barrymore Theatre with cast member Vicki Eckman and Madison Co-producer–my friend and lifesaver–Takeyla Benton (photo by Melissa Austin) bonus photobomb by Leslie Coff As many of you know, last weekend we celebrated the 8th annual and grand finale Madison LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER show. 2017 Madison cast Camille Bernier, Megan Ryan, Madison co-producer Takeyla Benton, me, Claire Weiss, Leslie Coff, Deb Nies, Katie Frank, Vicki Eckman, Jael Currie, Rhenna Widerski, Lisa Bauer and Megan Diaz (and honoring alumni standing below). Photo by Melissa Austin In… Read More »What’s Next?

                    MOM LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY DAY (All I want for Mother’s Day and a $50 gift card for one of you!) #ShareTheLuv

                      This post is sponsored by Luvs. What do I want for Mother’s Day?   I’m going to let myself dream here; a dream of Mother’s Day without dirty socks on the couch, wet towels on beds, and entire soccer cleet-prints worth of mud on our floors. I dream I can have this dream without anyone on the internet commenting you’ll miss those socks wet towels  and mud cleet prints one day!! I know. I will! Let’s dream this Mother’s Day and not sob over fleeting youth. I dream my children will voluntarily lay down their… Read More »MOM LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY DAY (All I want for Mother’s Day and a $50 gift card for one of you!) #ShareTheLuv