Confessions of a Reluctant Recipe Tester
I thought it would be fun. It's not. OK, it's not that bad.
The Gifts of Moving
Murder in the Neighborhood
I have a neighbor who rides his bike every day past my house. It’s not your usual daily ride. There is something rather magical and murderous about it.
2024's Word of the Year Is . . .
My word of the year for 2023 was Yes. It didn't always work out.
Come With Me
Come with me to a winter session of beach yoga. Don't mind the weather or that guy over there rolling around in the water. He's not in your class.
Notes on Camp
A series of notes on and after Life is A Verb Camp, 2023 hosted by Patti Digh. My notes include stories, poems, math, and what it's like to re-enter the real world after such an intense creative experience.
Hey Barbie! She's So Cool, All Dolled Up
From childhood play to artistic endeavors and unconventional decorations, Barbie has been a constant thread in my life, a source of inspiration that continues to spark joy and creativity. Even if you are not a fan of Barbie (I know there are lots of you), read on, maybe I can convince you she's pretty great. And if you have old Barbies lying around, save them for me!
Cookie Crumbs, Booty Lifts and Unexpected Encounters: A Tour of Senior Living Facilities
Join me on a fact-finding tour of senior living facilities through a series of informational tours. Though I have no immediate need to move myself or my loved ones into senior living, I want to be prepared for the future. As I toured a few of these communities, I encountered eccentric tour guides, quirky amenities, and some surprises that senior living has to offer. These tours also had me pondering what kind of community I'd want (and someday I do plan to live in some kind of community). Definitely more touring necessary, but this was a good start.
Dear Diary: Life at age 10
Dear Diary
I was ten years old when I got my first diary.
On the blank page before January 1st, I wrote: Dear Diary, I will try to tell the truth as well as I can.
Where Are My People At?
Bon Mot Newsletter, past issue links
Most recent is at the top! If you enjoy this newsletter, please help me grow by sharing it with a friend!
Note: some older links may be broken due to MailerLite update. It's a process to update links, let me know if you want one!
Amber's Update 21 Think Like a 4th Grader!
Amber's Update 20 Illuminated Word of the Year
Amber's Update 19 Art, Salmon, Poetry and Big Nuts
Bon Mot Issue 18 Good Lord just send it out
Bon Mot Issue 17 Italian Edition
Bon Mot Issue 16 Doesn't exist I counted wrong, numbers are a social construct
Bon Mot Issue 15 Back to School
Bon Mot Issue 14 The Barbie Edition
Bon Mot Issue 13 plus a survey!
Bon Mot Issue 12
Bon Mot Issue 11
Bon Mot Issue 10
Bon Mot Issue 9
Bon Mot Issue 8
Bon Mot Issue 7
Bon Mot Issue 6
Bon Mot Issue 5
Bon Mot Issue 4
Bon Mot Issue 3
Bon Mot Issue 2
Newsletter 1, The Premiere Issue
I Have Not Loved a Car for 26 Years. Until Now.
How to Eat Cereal
I don’t consider myself a particularly fussy person, but Frosted Mini Wheats bring out an intense desire for order, organization and doing things the RIGHT WAY.
Connection Was My Word of 2022: How It Went, And Why Social Media Got In the Way
Know Thyself: The Practice of Journaling
I’ve kept a journal since I was in about fourth grade, on and off. My first diary had a lock on it, which I thought was such a great feature. I could pour my heart out without anyone else being able to read it. The fourth-grade me apparently had a few secrets to keep. But that lock was easily picked with a hair pin and whatever secrets I had were no longer secret.
I Cried at Erma’s Bombeck's Grave
What Can You Let Go Of? Comfort is the Enemy of Progress
Comfort is the enemy of progress. --PT Barnum
A Comfort Zone is a beautiful place, but nothing grows there. --Robert Stevenson