I recently concluded a week-long class at The Clearing, a folk art school in Door County’s Ellison Bay. The Clearing, named for the opportunity for students to “clear their mind,” is a place where people can learn a craft or…
Are you having trouble achieving a goal, completing a task, or working through an issue? Find a friend or group to help you. My doctor once told me I should do weight-bearing exercises. It was hard to motivate myself to…
After my husband read a recent column in which I described a low point in my writing career, (my presenting to an audience of two—an exhausted mother and an intoxicated man) he responded, “You’re looking at this all wrong. When…
Think back to the first car you ever owned. Or the vehicle you used to take your family on a special vacation. When it was time to hand the key over to its new owner, did you get a twinge?…
Chances are you’ve gone through a personal experience that started a whirlwind of events that changed your life forever. Mine came exactly one year ago when, knowing I was going to faint, I dropped onto my knees and lowered myself…
Most of us have struggled with the thought, If I had it to do over again, would I have… Maybe you’ve questioned a major decision you made regarding a relationship or a big purchase or a career choice. Recently I…
I have always loved this time of year. My energy level peaks with the hint of cooler weather and the start of school. As a child, I would count the days, organizing my back-to-school supplies and pondering the prospect of…
I’ve always been a huge Oprah fan, and I’m channeling her for this column. One of my favorite Oprah’s quotes is, “I believe every one of us is born with a purpose. No matter who you are, what you do,…
I recently attended Milwaukee’s environmental conference, nicknamed “Green conference,” held at a high school. Driving there was stressful, and leaving was even more so because I took a wrong turn. By the time I arrived home, I felt drained. But…
Have you ever had to call the plumber to unclog your toilet? I asked Tom Brooks of Baraboo Plumbing for the craziest thing he’d ever found blocking one. He described going to an elderly man’s house and working on his…