Vicki Atkinson's Blog, page 23

The Disappearing Girl – Part II

Hello there…and BOO! 

I’m playing a little trick on all of you…but it’s not about the story I’m sharing.  I have a haunting tale to tell in four parts…. but for Part I of “The Disappearing Girl” you’ll need to hop over to my Heart of the Matter post to learn about an unusual photo I took in France many years ago.  Then? Please, please, please pop back here to learn how the story unfolds.

I’m going with the honor system here…no fair reading what follows if you didn’t go to the other po...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Book Clubs!

I have some fun “Peek Inside” news to share!  “Surviving Sue” has been picked up by a couple of book clubs – and I’m thrilled.  I’m continuing to receive wonderful feedback from readers. Sometimes in the form of lovely praise, sometimes follow-up questions about aspects of the book and nuances about the many characters in the story of my mom’s life. I’m grateful to each of you who might be reading this right now. Thank you for your continued interest. It means so much.

Last week I re...

Happy Birthday, Hubs!

Yep…it’s the hubster, Paul’s, birthday.  And you might be wondering about the combo of photos represented here.  A pic of a blueberry cake and a truly beaten up old deskplate/sign?  What do these two things have to do with Paul’s birthday?  I’m gonna tell you! 

You might’ve discerned that a cake…and his birthday might not be much of a mystery but that’s where you’re wrong.  His mother, Maxine’s trusty recipes are now in our hands and her delicate and yet hefty blueberry pound cake...

Evocative Artistry

Crawling into my soul I can occasionally discern connections between beloved works of art.  Not because I have any training.  I’m just a devoted patron and a woman in awe of artistry. 

All things visual draw me in and when I can use imagery to help solidify a feeling or capture a long-lost moment, my heart sings.  Discovering and celebrating nuances and similarities is a source of contentment because it’s another way of knowing myself.  If I allow my mind’s eye to flow freely as I line u...

Great Gobs of Girlfriend Love

Happy Podcast Friday, Friends!

Wynne’s opener to our podcasts refers to ‘talented creatives who inspire’.  Never would she think of herself as a gleaming example of a heroine and a source of inspiration for others…and yet…she is just that. 

I’m grateful to Wynne for her openness and giving soul.  In her mind?  She’s JUST Wynne – living her beautiful life as she captures the moments that matter.  So humble…and it’s one of her most endearing traits. 

One of things I adore about ...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Pause It, Name It

Hey, friends –

I promised a few weeks ago that I would eventually get around to sharing more about my toolkit for dealing with complicated emotions – especially those related to my mom, Sue. 

As a counseling professional, I utilize my degrees and training and generally feel confident about helping others, but when I’m the human in need?  It’s a whole different gambit and I can outsmart myself to sublimate and/or submarine emotions that are too messy. Oh-so easily. Over time I learned t...

Push Those Buttons!

Speaking of cars and driving – which I explore in my Heart of the Matter post today – sharing memory lane recollections of safety lessons from my papa. I had an a-ha. I realized the driving issues of today would make my dad cringe.  When he passed away in 1997, cell phones were becoming less of a novelty and the hazards of driving whilst talking were emerging concerns. His #1 on the road worry?  Distracted drivers.  Imagine what he’d think these days.  Pop over to my HoTM post to learn more...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Sue’s Big Heart

I adore the anonymous quote I snipped in (above).  When readers have asked about my capacity for forgiveness, the secret sauce that helped me survive Sue, I often think of this wisdom.  It was my task to heal so I could better understand the mix of madness and love that bubbled within my mom.  One of the recollections that helped was revisiting Sue’s advocacy heart, especially for disabled persons.  She was fearless and defiant as she pushed for services and equal opportunities long before l...

A Little Spark

My dear blogging buddy Deb wrote a fabulous post this week about courage and singing.  It was enchanting and enjoyable and reminded me of a silly chanteuse moment, years ago where I embarrassed myself but lived through it.  Here’s the post: Falling in Avignon.  If you read, promise you won’t think less of me.  And if you do, don’t tell me.  Deal?  Delusions are okay and today I’m thinking I’m okay.  Let’s not mess with my vibe. 

But ya know what? If you DO think less of me, I’m not sure ...

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Sonny’s Girls

Vicki, “Amanda”, Lisa, “Carla”

In “Surviving Sue” I tell the story about my parents and the fact that they were both married to other people when they met as coworkers on an assembly line, building yellow school buses. 

It was a scandal in a small town when they got together, setting the stage for a lifetime of drama, to be sure, but underneath the tawdry overtones?  Love. So much love.  They adored each other.  Perhaps too much? 

One of my readers recently asked about my half-sisters a...