Kassandra Lamb's Blog, page 42
January 4, 2016
5 Empowering Questions to Ask Yourself Daily for a Groovier, More Impactful Life
by August McLaughlin
Happy New Year, beauties! I hope you all had wonderful, soul-nourishing holidays. I had a blast visiting family, chilling out and looking back and forward—as we tend to do around New Year’s.
To start the year, I thought I’d share a handful of practices I’m committed to leading my life by. Rather than keep a to-do list, I check in with myself ro...
December 21, 2015
10 Ways to Make Your Imperfect Holiday a Happy One (encore)
by Kassandra Lamb
Since I’m traveling today, on my way to visit my son and family, I thought I’d re-run one of my more popular posts. (The mp blog will be on hiatus until January 12th)
Merry Christmas, Everyone!!
~~~~~~~~~
This time of year is supposed to be joyful – full of good food, time spent with family, tinsel and bright lights and lots of packages under the tree.
We tend to have high expectations for the season, and also to feel that we have to meet others’ expectations so that everyon...
December 14, 2015
Where the Research Takes Me–the Desert and a Mexican Jail!
by Vinnie Hansen
Whether I consult my reference bookDeadly Doses or tour San Quentin, all of my mysteries involve research. Death with Dessert, the newly re-released fifth book in the Carol Sabala series, required the most difficult research of the seven books.
Death with Dessert contains an immigration sub-theme. Illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States is a complex topic. In my long career as a teacher I worked with immigrant families and heard many of their stories. But I still...
December 7, 2015
Doggy Drama
by Kassandra Lamb
I haven’t been on social media much lately. I haven’t gotten much writing done either. We’ve had quite a bit of drama at our house the last few weeks, related to dogs.
First, our totally lovable, ten-year-old Alaskan Husky/Shepherd mix died. Rather suddenly–she was only sick for three days. I’ve never had a dog go that quickly. It was a shock, as well as very sad.
Amelia, last spring — Note the high, solid fence and big yard; they will be significant later.
And the timing c...
November 30, 2015
Are you a Pre-Crastinator? (encore)
by Kassandra Lamb
Way too many irons in the fire this week so I’m doing a re-run of an oldie but goodie post from a couple of years ago.
We just had Thanksgiving weekend here in the U.S., so Americans are now all focused on…
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!! (A mall in Toronto actually; photo by Benson Kua, Wikimedia Commons)
While everybody else is gearing up, I’m done. I finished my Christmas shopping last Friday. Now before you decide to hate me, let me point out that my goal of being finished all yule...
November 23, 2015
Stubbornness and Gratitude (especially for readers)
by Kassandra Lamb
I am not a patient person, but I am stubborn (as my mother frequently pointed out when I was a kid). We often hear the advice to stop daily and be grateful for one or more of the good things in our lives.
I find that I have no patience for that. Not that I’m not grateful, but taking time to stop and do something so intangible seems to get lost in the shuffle of busyness each day.
by Granny Enchanted CC-BY-SA 3.0 Unported, Wikimedia Commons
Still I am grateful for my blessing...
November 16, 2015
“Control Yourself!”
by Kassandra Lamb
Note: In light of the events in Paris Friday evening, I considered changing this post, which had already been written and uploaded. But I decided to leave it alone, as the topic is relevant. We are all reeling emotionally a bit right now. I will write a post soon on coping with the reality of terrorism. But for now, here is the original post scheduled for today…
Road rage, mass shootings, domestic violence… Self-control is highly valued in U.S. society, and yet we seem to be...
November 10, 2015
5 Common Myths About Emotions (that we can use as authors)
by Kassandra Lamb
I’m over at Jami Gold’s blog today talking about myths about emotions and how writers can tell better stories by understanding these misconceptions. Please hop over there and check it out!
But first join me in saying a huge Thank You to veterans!!
Happy Veterans Day!! (image by Moeez CC-BY-SA 4.0 International, Wikimedia Commons)
Homo sapiens have been sentient beings for thousands of years, and still we do not truly understand our own emotions....
November 3, 2015
Oh, Another Thing… (And Hawaii Pics!)
by Kassandra Lamb
I love that famous line of Colombo’s: “Oh, one more thing…”
Actually today I have two things to mention.
One, I’m over at Barb Taub’s place today, talking about the psychology of travel, and finally sharing some pics from our big bucket-list trip to Hawaii.
(Including this one; I call it my Medusa look.)
Come on over and join the fun. Barb’s a hoot!!
Two, please check out our Halloween post from Saturday for some trick-or-treat nostalgia.
Aww, he’s soooo cute!!!!
October 31, 2015
Are You More a Trickster or a Treatee? (and a new release!)
word cloud created on tagul.com
For Halloween this year, we asked our authors to share some childhood memories, specifically to answer this question:
Which did you prefer, playing tricks or getting treats? Here are their answers.
Kirsten Weiss:
I was too busy scavenging candy to play any Halloween pranks. Trick time = less treat gathering time, though the folks who gave out raisin boxes on Halloween definitely deserved some payback.
I mean, seriously? We’re going to be healthy tonight? I don’...
