Erin M. Straza's Blog, page 7

European Holiday Part 1: Berlin, Germany

So we went to Europe on holiday. This is part 1 of our trip summary–watch for parts 2 and 3! It all started with Mike’s decision to run the Berlin Marathon. It’s a world marathon major—in league with the marathons in Boston, New York, London, Chicago, and Tokyo. These six...

That Time We Went on Holiday to Europe

Earlier this year, when Mike was solidifying his race schedule with his coach, he mentioned the Berlin Marathon as an option. As in Germany. As in EUROPE. Being the travel enthusiast that I am, my breath caught—I always hoped we would one day go to Europe, but such a trip...

The Guilt Factor in a Woman’s Work

Over the years, women’s rights activists have championed a society that embraced the voices, gifts, and talents of female persons. Their vision and determination produced profound societal change. Women gained rights in the marketplace, in politics, and in the home. Women have opportunities and access as never before. With rights...

The Thirst That Drives Busy Living

A writing life often keeps me cloistered, with my thoughts, my journal, my laptop. Earlier this week, after hours of seclusion in my cave (i.e., my windowless basement office), I needed food and water and a break. After cobbling together a lunch, I began eating as I stood in the...

Celebrating My Book’s Cover Art with a Preorder Party

Many writers associate the process of writing and publishing a book with pregnancy and birthing a child. If this is true, I must be a mama elephant, as my gestation phase for Comfort Detox has lasted several years. Here’s what Mother Nature Network has to say about the elephant’s 645...

Maybe Communal Living Isn’t So Strange

As the kitchen sink gurgled, I began praying. Begging and pleading—even panicking—were also involved as water began to back up from the disposal I had just stuffed with leftover Amish noodles. It was definitely clogged, possibly broken. Even worse? It wasn’t my kitchen. We were staying with new friends who...

To Pray Is to Change

For all the ways of communicating, writing comes easiest for me. It is much more natural for me to first work things out on paper or keyboard before speaking them aloud. I am the opposite of a verbal processor. This may be why prayer has always been difficult for me....

Meditation and the Highways of the Heart

I’ve never had to cut my own path through the wilderness, but I’ve seen it done in movies (that I cannot recall at the moment). Apparently, the task requires a machete, as well as good sense of direction. (What good would it be to cut a path taking you the...

Thinking God’s Thoughts

Moments of quiet are rare, aren’t they? There are too many things to watch, listen to, read; there are beloved friends and family to enjoy; there is work to be done and community to build. Even if we can step away from the fellowship, information, and entertainment, our own thoughts...