We can stare at the major issues in this world — hunger, poverty, violence — and feel like we’re looking into a black hole. Then that terrible question pops into our heads, the one that threatens to derail us from doing good and paralyzes us into doing nothing at all.
How could anything I do make a difference?
Krysten Case fights ... Read More
I love it when I sit down and the words are easy. They just flow, they don’t take too much mental energy and they don’t make me weepy when I re-read them.
These words are not going to be easy. I can tell. Because these are the words that keep coming to my mind: Forgive me.
At the beginning of the school ... Read More
There are certain people who come into our lives and make us better. Liz Schwarzel is one of those people. She’s a third grade teacher in Athens, Ohio. My son, Charlie had her as a teacher three years ago, and if I’m awfully lucky, Ben will have her next year. The kids affectionately call her Ms. Liz, but I get ... Read More
Big news! Athens, Ohio is kind!*
Wait… you already knew that?
Then join me during the first two weeks of October to prove it to others.
I’m launching a new podcast through WOUB Public Media called, “The Kindness Podcast.” In celebration of this event, I’ve teamed up with the Athens County Convention & Visitors Bureau and other area businesses to throw kindness around ... Read More
I wonder sometimes about the messages I send even when I am completely unaware.
I have been known to roll my eyes and huff at my youngest son, “Can you please remember to bus your own spot after dinner this time?” I wonder if I am secretly saying to him, “You can’t remember to do anything.”
The thought is sobering and if ... Read More
Apparently there is this thing in Southeastern Ohio where you leave an extremely large zucchini on someone’s porch or in their car.
I’m not sure if the vegetable is left because the mystery giver is a friend or foe. That’s still sort of unclear. It’s kind of like back in high school, when I was never quite certain if it was ... Read More
In our house, we don’t use the word “hate.” It’s too strong. It’s too damaging. It’s too permanent. However, if I’m being honest, there are a few things I hate.
I hate food and I hate exercise.
I have a love/hate relationship with food that goes back as long as I can remember. I don’t like to prepare food or think about ... Read More
My friend’s father-in-law recently died. It came on suddenly. It wasn’t supposed to happen that way. They weren’t prepared. I wonder, when it comes to losing someone we love, if we’re ever really prepared.
The hole that’s left while we are mourning seems like an endless chasm, and yet it’s the perfect size for kindness. Kindness shown through phone calls, flowers, ... Read More
At this very moment, if all has gone well, I am on an airplane with my three children heading back to Fargo.
It was the kindness of an event planner who first gave the idea wings, and the kindness of many other community members who made it take flight.
Saul and I lived in Fargo for 10 years before moving to Ohio, ... Read More
Have you ever had a super great idea and then a bit later you stop and think… Wait, what was I going to do again?
Check this out:
https://www.facebook.com/redtaildesignco/videos/619999264852490/
I had this awesome idea to make wooden business cards. I actually stole the idea from the tattoo artist in Ohio who inked my nipple after my breast cancer reconstruction– too much information???
Anywho, I ... Read More
