Sometimes speaking your mind Is the one thing you can’t do And you struggle just to find The words that won’t break through The silence is your prison But it doesn’t have to be And all the love you’ve given Ain’t just a memory You don’t have to say it You don’t even have toContinue reading “I Know Your Heart (Lyrics)”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Russia, Tea & Me
I had a Russian tea service last night. (Of all the things you might have expected to read, I bet that wasn’t one of them.) Before you think I’ve defected — or simply become more cultured in the few days I’ve been away — let me tell you that I didn’t have to travel beyondContinue reading “Russia, Tea & Me”
Mary Higgins Clark: The Queen (Still) Reigns Supreme
Heartbroken to learn that Mary Higgins Clark, our reigning Queen of Suspense, has passed away at the age of 92. She was my first “adult” author – I still remember the book that made me a fan: ALL AROUND THE TOWN – and I’ve never stopped reading her books, even these many years later. DespiteContinue reading “Mary Higgins Clark: The Queen (Still) Reigns Supreme”
Turning The (Calendar) Page …
February may just be my new favorite f-word. (Fortunately, it’s not in competition for my favorite four-letter f-word.) It’s never been one of my favorite months, though; quite the opposite. February is cold. It’s dark. It’s unpredictable. The potential for snow and ice and other inclement weather lingers, taunting and tormenting with its bluster. Consequently,Continue reading “Turning The (Calendar) Page …”
The Mourning After (Lyrics)
It’s been six months and a couple of days A long, short time since you’ve gone away But broken hearts still beat in time The world still turns and words still rhyme I take one step and then another It doesn’t mean I don’t miss you, brother But suns and moons will rise and setContinue reading “The Mourning After (Lyrics)”
On What Would Have Been Your 39th Birthday …
Dear Ryan, You would have been 39 today. It seems impossibly sad and entirely unfair that you’re not here to celebrate the occasion. But sometimes life is just that: impossibly sad and entirely unfair. Rather than thinking about what could have been – what should have been – I’m going to honor what was. Yes,Continue reading “On What Would Have Been Your 39th Birthday …”
Onward
The world did not stop turning yesterday. I may have failed to write a thought-provoking blog post — or much of anything, really (though I did post a fun picture for our enjoyment) — and nobody much cared. (Relief.) It wasn’t for lack of intention, though. My notebook, with its false starts and scratch outsContinue reading “Onward”
This Picture = 1,000 Words
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words … so I offer you this in lieu of a traditional blog post tonight. I met my good friend Chris Wolak for a book browsing / dinner date tonight. Rather than writing words, we spoke them. Back at it tomorrow. JBV
Will Write For Free (But Would Rather Be Paid)
Ten days ago, I was contacted by one of the editors I write for. He asked if I could provide four book reviews for the next issue of his magazine and said he’d need them in about a week and a half. (Ahem, today.) Despite an even busier week with mom than usual — sevenContinue reading “Will Write For Free (But Would Rather Be Paid)”
The Library: A Hogwarts For Muggles
I recently read an article that made me think there’s hope for humanity yet: “In 2019, more Americans went to the library that to the movies. Yes, really.” It was a piece for lithub recapping a new Gallup poll — the first of its kind since 2001 — that found patronizing the local library remainsContinue reading “The Library: A Hogwarts For Muggles”
Write Away / Write A Way 