Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 23

Appearances: Keeping Up without All the Make-Up

I’ve decided make-up is optional these days. In truth, I’ve always thought it was. But, now I know it is. I mean, why bother if I’m not going anywhere? Except when I go on Zoom. Then maybe just a little concealer to hide those fine lines and wrinkles. But, I guess the software can enhance […]

Pick a Poet

I’m not going to provide a book review in this post so much as to provide a suggestion. During this unprecedented time in our world when we are all staying home to prevent the spread of a nefarious disease, why not spend the month of April, which happens to be poetry month, reading poetry? Here […]

Success: The Writing Life

Why do you think some people are successful in writing and others are not? (my insertion in bold) I used to believe there was only one way to be a successful writer. Traditional publishing has been long-seen as the true rite of passage into authorship. To some extent, credibility solidifies with a brand and a […]

Success: It’s Not Always What We Think It Means

Why do you think some people are successful in life and others are not? When I read this question, my first thought is, I question this question. I think the answer depends on an individual’s definition of success. Is success measured by riches–money, possessions, demographic–or recognition–fame, acceptance, affirmation–or reward–achievements, expertise, excellence? Or is success in […]

Walking with Bilbo and Walking with Frodo by Sarah Arthur

Five Stars I don’t often review two books at once, but Walking with Bilbo and Walking with Frodo by Sarah Arthur ought to be included together. These are devotionals that draw from quotations and story elements from Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series respectively. The formats of each have slight differences, […]

Perspective: Until the Race Is Run, Until the Journey’s Done

My youngest son and I escaped the house to go for a walk. It was drizzly, which means I probably would have skipped walking outside any other day. But, walking is one way we can maintain some well-being during this stay-at-home request. As we walked we talked, especially about his classes. We laughed as we […]

Perspective: More by Faith, Less by Sight

In these sequestered days, I find myself more encouraged than discouraged. As I shared in my post last week, I’m rarely bothered with having more time at home. Canceled plans are less of an annoyance than undecided ones. The whether-to-or-not seems more of a burden than if the answer is mandated. Yet, even though we […]

Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital by David Oshinsky

Five Stars I highly recommend reading this historical perspective about Bellevue Hospital. The vast information about what doctors understood and misunderstood about medicine and human nature was as fascinating as it was disturbing. This is a great book to read while we are navigating our own pandemic health crisis.

Health: Just Keep Writing

As my calendar adjusts to recent cancellations, I realize my excuses for not writing are dwindling. Writing is something I challenge myself to do every day. After all, I am a writer. But, sometimes I’m happy for the distraction to not write. It’s an odd contradiction. Sometimes writing feels like work. It becomes an obligation. […]

Health: Just a Closer Walk

A few nights ago, I was playing through a hymn I’ve been working on for several weeks. It’s full of those broken chords I mentioned a few weeks ago. It may be in the key of C, but there are a few accidentals that add a bit of challenge for this middle-aged adult beginner-pianist. Yet, […]