I've rarely been able to understand poetry--the mystery of the meaning of the words and their fragmentary arrangements. But I've learned in several classes since I retired, that I don't have to understand every word. That sometimes reading for the feel, sounds, and rhythm is enough. For someone like me who is left-brained, logical and …
Category: books
Life at 82: N is for Nothing
Nothing. When I woke up yesterday, I decided to do nothing. After a packed and scheduled week, I rationalized that I owed it to myself to do nothing. I almost succeeded. To do nothing, I soon found out, I had to do something. I could not just lie in bed with my eyes shut. Keeping …
Life at 82: L is for Love
Spending three session-packed days at the Calvin Festival of Faith & Writing has left my body buzzing as though I've eaten an entire chocolate cake and washed it down with a pot of caffeinated coffee. From this sentence, how would you describe what this conference was like for me? Dull? Boring? Waste of time? Or …
Life at 82: K is for Kinship
Being back in Grand Rapids, MI, this week elicits several feelings of kinship--an appreciation of similar origins. Like visiting my sister-in-law, Kay, yesterday. We are the oldest and youngest of my sibling clan, and the other eight have passed away. So a special visit for sure. Then stopping at my parents' cemetery yesterday brought tears. …
Another Podcast on Marv Taking Charge
Please listen here. Spread the word about my book. Refusing chemo is an option. This podcast was sponsored by the Chicago Writers Association in concert with my book being given the Book of the Year Award for Indie Nonfiction. I am beyond grateful and will write more about that event later. (Enjoy the podcast with …
Growing Older – On Turning 82
Thinking about turning 82 is both positive and negative. The positive part, of course, is that I’m still alive. I’ve outlived several classmates who’d be the same age. I’m still able to walk and talk and see and hear and smell and taste and feel. I do not take these capabilities for granted. But I …
Bookcase Quilt: Tangible Memories of My Late Husband
My late husband, Marv Roelofs, became famous over our 55+ years of marriage for making bookshelves for me. His first wall-to-wall lives on in our first home, a now run-down townhouse in IL that my son found recently on a realtor site. Marv's last wall-to-wall, of course, lives on in his last home, my current …
Continue reading Bookcase Quilt: Tangible Memories of My Late Husband
Brain Burst. Imminent!
Have you ever felt as if your brain would burst from accumulated words? As a writer and blogger, I'm having that problem now. The last time I remember being in this situation was the day I started my Caring Lessons memoir. Sitting in a NC gazebo with my friend Marianna and a cat crossing our …
Lois Hoitenga Roelofs’ Memoir Earns Well-deserved Honor: Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage Is a Chicago Writers Association Book …
On May 5, 2023, I wrote about Lois Hoitenga Roelofs’ wonderful memoir Marv Taking Charge. It’s the story of her husband, Marv, and his decision to … Lois Hoitenga Roelofs’ Memoir Earns Well-deserved Honor: Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage Is a Chicago Writers Association Book … Thank you for reposting, …
A Fitting Award
“Marv Taking Charge” is a finalist for Book of the Year in the Chicago Writers Association’s Indie Nonfiction category. A Fitting Award Thank you, Marianna!
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