My Heart Breaks for Nepal & Friends in Kathmandu

It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation and utter collapse in Kathmandu and Nepal— that region of breathtaking views, plunging valleys, terraced rice paddies, crimson-clad pilgrims and warm-hearted people, who bring strangers and travelers home and into their hearts as my … Continue reading

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Book Review: Luanne Castle’s Doll God and Why I Loved it When I’m Afraid of Dolls

Recently, I devoured this book of poetry by Luanne Castle​. As you read this she will likely have just returned from an interview on Arizona’s Morning Scramble show for her work on this amazing poetry collection. I’m so excited for … Continue reading

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Writing Books & Work-in-Progress Blog Tour

This post features sneak peaks at bloggers behind-the-scenes book projects starting with Luanne at Writersite.org then Renee (me) at unpackedwriter.com and ends tagging other writer-bloggers: Long-Distance Dad, Ned Hickson and Annelisplace. Renee in her writing studio. Behind the scenes… How’d this happen? … Continue reading

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Long Time Gone

Yowza!  It’s been a while since I’ve seen the backside of these pages and–more importantly you. Since I last sat down to really share with you, I’ve been to Everest and back–with my dad. I started teaching writing again at … Continue reading

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Laughing into memory: Sharing a Buffalo blizzard with my teenager & mother

Since it’s the season of blizzards, I thought it timely to repost this. My thoughts go out for the safety and fun of those hunkered down braving the Blizzard of 2015. As I hold down a house with two sick … Continue reading

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Niagara Escarpment Flora & Fauna: from a Brief Hike on the Family Farm

This gallery contains 9 photos.

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Elizabeth Gilbert on How to Summon Your Creative Muses & Curiosity vs Passion

“At least put a bra on… .” And, “…don’t show up at your writing desk in your pajamas… ” Elizabeth Gilbert advised writers and other creatives at this month’s reading in Arizona. “A lot of people subscribe to a cockamamie … Continue reading

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Elizabeth Gilbert: To The Signature of All Things from Eat Pray Love

I must admit, I’m a reluctant latecomer to the Elizabeth Gilbert phenomenon. But here I am. Recently, at the urging of journalist friend Selina, I succumbed to reading Eat Pray Love. *GASP* Can you imagine? But this week, I had … Continue reading

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Photo Essay: Vancouver’s Public Market and Surrounds

This gallery contains 15 photos.

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The Fault in Our Stars – A Literary Peek at Death Personified

Despite having once shared an evening with actor Willem DaFoe, I still think I would find his confounding and curmudgeonly character Peter van Houten, the most fascinating character in The Fault in Our Stars. While I thought author John Green … Continue reading

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