In the Mom Lane: Go Climb a Rock!

It’s official! We’re hiking in Yosemite National Park. More than that, really. We’re climbing Half Dome this fall. Here’s the brief history of adventure: About forty years ago, my dad (and mom) climbed Half Dome. Years later, a shirt they picked up on that trip was passed on to me. It was from the Yosemite Mountaineering School…

Friday Fictioneers: Point of Entry

  “Here’s the point of entry.” Becky stared at the coil of barbed wire. “Strange. Why wrap it so neatly on the fence post? Why not cut it and keep going?” Steve crossed his arms. “They’re probably local. This fence and land belong old man Monger. Even the folk from the hollers won’t mess with…

Book Review: Divergent (Roth)

Divergent © 2011, Veronica Roth Author: Veronica Roth Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Genre: Young Adult Fiction Subgenre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Social & Family Values     Synopsis: In a world where people are divided into one of five “factions” based on their predominant trait, standing out is not just discouraged, it’s considered dangerous. All sixteen…

Friday Fictioneers: Wild Imaginations

“What is it?” Nervous fingers hovered over the black and white page. “I think… it’s a spell book.” “A spell book? Really? Why would Mrs. Donahue have a spell book?” Louise glared at Haley. “Obviously she’s a witch.” Haley scrunched up her face. “You think?” “Definitely. Look around. Her backyard’s a huge herb garden. She…

Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Skloot)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Author: Rebecca Skloot Publisher: Crown Publishers (division of Random House) Genre: Non-fiction Medical Books, Biography & Memoir Subgenres: Medical Ethics, Cell Biology Reviewer: Sara     Synopsis: Sixty-five years ago, cells from a thirty year-old poor African-American woman at Johns Hopkins Hospital were removed before a radium treatment for her cervical…

In the Mom Lane: Grand Slam On A 1-2 Pitch

Big dude turned FIVE last week! FIVE. Next year, I’ll have a kindergartner. Where does the time go?? Any how, on to the story of the grand slam after two strikes. For big dude’s birthday, hubby took the afternoon off and we met for lunch at a Japanese steakhouse near his work and a park with…

My First Blogging Award! A Liebster!

And I’m very excited about it! Because, well, awards! Who doesn’t like them?! On a more serious note, I’m flattered to have been nominated for a Liebster Award by another writer and blogger, Dawn Claflin. She selected me for my focus on writing, specifically essays, flash fiction and book reviews. Aw, shucks. (*Blushes and toes the ground.*)…