Linda K. Sienkiewicz's Blog, page 24

What, Why, How: Vasundhara Tolia

What:

I was born in Kolkata, India and received an excellent education there. I became a doctor and I traveled across half the world to get further training in medicine to US. Initially, I always thought I would return to India, however, this country insinuated itself under my skin to such an extent that it became home.

I have faced a lot of unique challenges and opportunities that have shaped me to become who I am as a person, a physician and eventually an artist and a poet. Being an...

What, Why, How: Amanda Schmidt

What:

I write adventure novels which fall into the Fantasy genre, and one that is Dystopian. I have fans both male and female in all different age groups (middle school, high school, college, my age, my mom’s age, and older). My books have a strong female and male protagonist, there are twists and turns, action, adventure, love, heroes, vicious enemies, and fighting (weapons and hand-to-hand combat). All of my books focus on surviving adversity of one kind or another to become more than was...

Dog Days at the Park

With temps in the low 40s and the sun shining brightly, rare for mid-February, lots of folks were walking their pooches in the city park on Sunday. Many were dressed in fancy coats too.

Big, but fancy

I love the paws print on this doggy’s coat, but check out the real paws! They are huge. This Great Dane was a whole lotta dog for Clementine, who cautiously allowed him to sniff her nose before ducking away. She needn’t worry; he really was a gentle giant, however.

At fifteen years old, this...

What, Why, How: Cindy Hampel

What:

I’ve written two books in the genre of self-help and spirituality. The first, published in 2011, is It’s Not Personal: Lessons I’ve Learned from Dealing with Difficult Behavior. In the book, I recount some of the difficult behavior I’ve encountered, and the spiritual lessons I learned from those encounters. My most recent book, Acting “As If”: Meditations of a Recovering Enabler, was published in late November 2019. It offers a two-page meditation for each day of the month, as well...

Neighborhood House Food Pantry

Neighbors helping neighbors

I volunteer in at the Neighborhood House main office on Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, MI, registering new clients for our food pantry and clothes closet. Last week I spent time at the actual food pantry, located at the First Congregational Church in Rochester. I was so impressed after experiencing the day to day operation of helping our clients.

The pantry supplies about 5,000 pounds of food a week to needy families.

The original food pantry in 1968 was...

What, Why, How: Kristine E. Brickey

What:

My writing varies tremendously depending on the day. My published works are best characterized as Realistic Fiction/Women’s Lit/YA. However, I also write memoir, multiple fictional genres, and have recently delved into some fantasy horror pieces. (Note: that genre both terrifies and intrigues me!)

Why:

Why is such a powerful question. Why write when it takes such time, energy, resolve, and painful reflection for me to create my characters. I’ve always written, for as long as I can...

Mittens from Sweaters

Years ago when I was going through my late son’s clothes, I came across a thick, wool Abercrombie and Fitch sweater that his sister loved to borrow. I was never a fan of scratchy wool, but she had loved it.

It looked as if it had been washed and had shrunk. What do do with it now? I’d seen pictures of mittens made from sweaters, and figured it couldn’t be that hard.

My first smittens

Of course, this was pre-Pinterest, the source how-to source to make just about anything. I was on my own. The...

Be Bold. Be Cranky

When crankiness hits:

I consider myself to be a generally upbeat person, but sometimes I feel like a cranky old lady.

Today, for example. I went to Dicks Sporting Goods to buy a pair of Brooks, my favorite athletic shoes, with a 20% off coupon I’d clipped from The Free Press. Brooks jogging shoes fit my problem feet well, even though I speed walk more than I do jog.

In the 70s, jogging wasn’t anything that required special athletic gear, like gel cushioning in shoes, high performance...

Last Minute Shopping Blues?

I’d bought and wrapped my gifts long ago, saving me from the hubbub of the malls (I buy most Christmas presents throughout the entire year), but I couldn’t avoid going to the grocery store before the holidays.

Knowing the supermarkets would be packed, I thought Sunday morning might be a good time. Well, I wasn’t early enough. The line at Nitsches’ Meats in Shelby Township ended just inside the door. I’d never been to Nitsches, but it had been highly recommended. Since a whole beef...

Unique Writer’s Gifts

If you’re looking for something beyond another coffee cup or writer-themed t-shirt for a writer friend, help has arrived.

Writers: Feel free to share this list with your significant others(s)!

Exceptional Blank Journals:

Why give a writer a ordinary blank journal when you can give them The Serenity Journal? Among the many visual pleasures, this journal includes treasures such as tags, ephemera, lace ribbons, a vintage post card and letter, plus blank pages and cards to record thoughts...