Vicki Atkinson's Blog, page 7

When You Crack Yourself Up: Is it a Guy Thing?

I don’t mean to focus exclusively on the guys with this question…but it’s still a question. My sample size is very small. Just the hubster Paul, to be exact.

I’m lucky enough to be hitched to a human who can fix just about anything. I think it’s his engineering and innovating heart. No cape required. Paul can assess and mull and investigate any household challenge and although he’s not entirely delusional, he IS game to fix most things and has – successfully – for years. Electrical, plumb...

Authenticity is Everything

Three simple words of advice. Straightforward and mantra-like across many decades, thanks to my dear friend and mentor, Dr. John Muchmore:

“Authenticity is everything…”

Today I ‘m resharing a post I wrote about John in November 2023 – in tribute (see below). The lifeforce that was John Muchmore passed away last week. He was beloved by untold numbers of students and colleagues…the finest of fine humans and I’m still stunned by the loss.

John read every single one of my blog posts ...

Feeling Fortunate

No, this post isn’t a substitute for a thank you note to a few fantastic gift-givers in my life.

It’s just an extra, extra shoutout of gratitude. I don’t know how I got so very lucky, but I have dear ones around me who seem to crawl in and know exactly what makes me smile.

Holiday time is tricky for me because it’s also the time of year when I acknowledge my birthday and the fifty-three years I spent celebrating…sort of…with my mom, Sue. It’s a story I tell in “Surviving Sue”…about th...

Quiet Confidence

I had a strange moment the other day. It happened while I brushed my teeth…but I promise this isn’t a disclosure about personal hygiene or bathroom humor. I should clarify. Disclosure, yes. But I’m not telling on myself. It’s a story with a resonate undertone about the power of quiet confidence – a desirable quality. Especially in leaders. Involving toothpaste.

When I was in graduate school, the Dean was a fearsome-looking man. Auspicious in his attire and demeanor. He rarely smiled and ...

Legal Pad Love

I love writing prompts. I hate writing prompts.

But I recognize their utility. I see them as neat and tidy nudges, reminding us to put in the time – to work on our craft. Same for, musicians, carpenters and artists…creatives of all types. The more you do, the more fluid your unique process and the resulting creation. Stretching and flexing the sinewy tissue from which your uniqueness emanates. Inviting the unfolding…the reveal. You.

This mulling reminds me of wonderful exercises that ...

Unexpected Encouraging Words: “You Might Fail”

My dad, Sonny, always had plenty of advice to offer but he wasn’t the type to pipe up with unsolicited input. If you wanted to know what he thought about something, you needed to ask. His face gave away little unless he wanted you to see what he was thinking. It was a vocational asset when he needed to maintain a fixed, non-committal visage during high stakes meetings and mediation marathons in his work life.

When I was little, I’d eavesdrop when he was embroiled in heated, time-sensitiv...

Lisa’s Patch Jacket

This is my first post back in the WordPress saddle for 2025 and I want to share how grateful I am for the opportunity to step away, work on some other projects and spend loads of time with family and friends. I know I missed many of your posts and for that, I’m sorry. I wish you all good health and happiness in the year to come.

And now…a post that’s really a sweet message from me and from my sister Lisa. In part, it answers the question, ‘What did you do on your holiday break?’

...

“A Memoir You Will Not Soon Forget”

Thank you, Beth, for your beautiful review, full of kindness about my book, “Surviving Sue”.

I love this sentence in your review because it so succinctly summarizes my hopeful intention behind sharing the complicated story about life with Sue. Building resilience with compassion. Yes!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone as an engaging read, and a master class in resilience, strength, and compassion for the human condition.

Your full review on Amazon is a gift:

As ...

Santa Sue

(I shared a portion of this post a couple of years ago and couldn’t resist a ‘take two’ moment today…a smile about my complicated mother and her love of Christmas.)

My mom, Sue, was a party girl at heart and Christmas was her favorite holiday. 

Even when money was tight, she’d find ways to rally people together with her infectious humor and charisma, often for a good cause.

Truthfully, though, any day could’ve been a dress up day for Sue. Here’s a favorite photo from my childhoo...

Don’t Whine

Margaret Atwood offered fabulous advice for writers fourteen years ago and I missed it.

Thank goodness for the almighty algorithms that serve nuggets of wisdom. I don’t know how that happens. Sometimes I like it, but other times? It definitely feels invasive…seeing something in my social media feed which addresses a complaint – unuttered – that I’ve tussled with.

But I’ll leave the concern about algorithmic eyes aside for the moment, because I want to share a couple of things from Atw...