I could really use a pin or a necklace that says, “I remember nothing.” It is my motto and I repeat it at least once a day, giving credit to Nora Ephron and her book, I REMEMBER NOTHING I just reread it for the third time. And because I remember nothing it was almost like reading it…

I faced my usual challenge walking the dogs this morning. (If you noticed a change from singular to plural, that’s because Mabel, my daughter’s pup is with me for the summer.) The challenge is to try to stay present in the beauty of the moment instead of letting my mind race through a to-do list or…

I am a ham. I like getting up in front of people and holding forth. My first career goal was to become a big Broadway star. I still watch the Tony Awards acceptance speeches for hints about what to say when I win for best leading performance in a musical. When I speak in bookstores…

A Little Milestone Today As I filled out the form that will empty the college fund so that Emilia can complete her masters in social work degree —  with a certificate in non-profit management, if you please. I’ve been filling out these forms for years. New York Univesity — check. University of North Carolina –check. Many, many checks. Thank you, Red Tent. No…

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton! It took me a while to get it right. O-fei-bea with the beat on “fei,” which sounds like “fay.” I practiced in the car. Felix Contreras, Yuki Noguchi, Neda Ulaby Such beautiful, musical names, they almost ask to be sung. National Public Radio hosts, reporters and commentators have long been Smith, Clark, and Brown,…

  IN WITH THE OLD The yellow pages are lying on the stoop. What am I supposed to do with it?  I look up addresses and phone numbers online. I check out services and goods through social media and bulletin boards. I consult yelp.    Actually, I’m not even talking about the yellow pages. What landed at my…

 I was filling up the tank, self-serve, $3.35 a gallon. (A “good” price at that moment.) I barely noticed 10 inch screen at the top of the pump. Out of the corner of my eye, I registered a message about the lethal dangers of texting behind the wheel. Then there was an “Entertainment Tonight” -type teaser about…

My husband, the information technology guy in my life, sent me a link to a new service called Kindlegraph — a platform that allows readers to get electronic books “autographed” by the author. The whole e-book thing makes writers and editors and agents and booksellers very antsy. And the whole business of publishing is in…