Vicki Atkinson's Blog, page 18

When You Crack Yourself Up: Just Go!

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Some of my all-time favorite posts are those that are confessional. Where I ...

Podcast Friday: Super Stylin’ Edition

I loved talking with Wynne’s sister-in-law Lindsey in the most recent Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast. 

Lindsey’s a talented creative person who has mad, crazy skills in curating wardrobes, helping clients to simplify and feel good about themselves by honoring their bodies when it comes to styling and apparel.  This isn’t JUST a female issue; I know plenty of men who struggle with ‘what to wear’ conundrums and many of us fail by buying more than we need which is bad for our budget...

I LOVE Reader Input 🥰

I’ve said this before…and I’ll ask for forgiveness in advance because I probably won’t stop. 

Reader input is the most wonderful, unexpected joy in writing. 

My mom’s story IS complicated, and a dear reader recently wondered if I could challenge myself to create a new graphic – one that might depict the messy ‘soup’ that was my mom’s life along with all the ups and downs I experienced with her. “She WAS unique – your mom – there’s so much in your story.” Umm…yes. Unique.

I felt a w...

Classic Rewind: Apocalyptic Brownies

Every now and then, a piece of writing, a post from the past still speaks to me. I smile when I think of these as my very own ‘classic rewinds’. Coming at you on this ICYMI-M (In Case You Missed It Monday). First published in August, 2022.

I love the pic of my favorite “Dad and daughter” (snipped in above).  There are days when I’m flummoxed by my good fortune.  How did I get so lucky?  I found a partner who’s put up with me for decades while reserving just enough patience to be a dot...

Podcast Friday: Practicing Creativity

Aren’t we all hard on ourselves?  It’s a matter of degrees for most, I suspect, but living a life of intention and seeking opportunities for improvement typically means I’m incessantly measuring my progress.  Am I there yet?  Am I there yet?

Therein lies the problem.  Actually, two problem-O-s:

Problem-O #1:  Was I clear about my destination? What goal did I have in mind, or did it shapeshift in my haste to simply move?  Movement = progress, right?  No.  Movement in an endless, directi...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Healing

My mom, Sue, had a very challenging childhood.  Her father died when she was young, and she carried just two memories of him with her.  I suspect her favorite involved fishing adventures and her first ‘big catch’.  The photo my grandfather snapped of his girl, Suzie, became the cover art for “Surviving Sue” – the image you see snipped in above. My kind publisher inquired about options when we tapped a graphic designer, but I was quick to wave off alternatives and said, “No, no.  I’ve always ...

Classic Rewind: Singing in the Lifeboats

Every now and then, a piece of writing, a post from the past still speaks to me. I smile when I think of these as my very own ‘classic rewinds’. Coming at you on this ICYMI-M (In Case You Missed It Monday). First published in February, 2023.

Singing in the Lifeboats 

At first blush, this quote from Voltaire?  It’s pretty dismal.  Life = shipwreck?  Yeah, maybe some days…but do we need to dwell on it?  But darn it all, those smart ones, like Voltaire, with just fourteen words, he pr...

Podcast Friday – Plus!

Being vulnerable is a tough thing.  Having a buddy to travel with as you peel back the layers and engage in self-disclosure is a joy and a blessing and those two words describe my friend, Wynne Leon perfectly. She’s a joy and a blessing, for sure!

This week, not only did we have a thoughtful chat – reflected in our podcast about keeping secrets – but Wynne and I had the good fortune of visiting with our friends from Revel Eleven as we offered our thoughts about creativity, writing and res...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Paul McCartney Style

I grabbed your attention with the title, didn’t I?  Sorry to disappoint (both of us) but I’ve never met Sir Paul and yet…like zillions of other fans, it’s never diminished my adoration. My 12-year-old self knew an anthem when she heard one.

The Paul McCartney and Wings Album, “Band on the Run” debuted in December 1973 and unbeknownst to me, in just six short months, our vagabond family would be on the move again (a band on the run?) leaving the only home I’d felt safe and secure in.  I bu...

It’s a Magical Podcast Friday!

Wynne and I had a delightful chat in our most recent podcast as we talked with writer Dave Williams about his family’s love of books and his sources of inspiration as he writes gorgeous, imaginative stories – often including his own artwork.

I hope you’ll give the episode a listen because we’re gonna fill your creativity bucket. It’ll bubble over as you listen to Dave talk about his writing practices and his ‘why’ for creating. 

For some of us, it’s intrinsic, unavoidable – the compuls...