Hockey Humor

While watching the NHL Network’s show ‘NHL on the Fly’  last night, a real life piece of hockey humor came to life.  I just had to share it….
Phaneuf, a Calgary Flames player, drove his SUV to the local Starbucks.  He left his car running (I think you know where this is going) while he ran [...]

Poem about Online Educational Courses

While involved in my book writing project, I am putting out feelers for other writing opportunities.  One opportunity, which sounds promising, involves writing and developing some online educational courses.  I have been offered the position.   While contemplating it, I put together this little ditty…..Enjoy!  (Yes, it’s a change from other postings on my blog. [...]

Drawback of Writing a Personal Essay

Recently, it has become apparent that writing a personal essay is not as easy as originally thought. Part of the problem is something known as vulnerability. Sometimes this is good, other times it is not.
Many times, when authors discuss their book writing project, the common thread mentioned is the personalization factor. [...]

Murphy’s Law

No matter where I go, it seems this law follows me everywhere.  For instance,  yesterday was the first time I didn’t take a pain med since my total knee replacement surgery. (The surgery will be three weeks ago this Wednesday).  I was very proud of that fact.  Exercising/recuperating is going well.  I am walking more [...]

Umbrella Disclaimer for All

The blog postings I do regarding my recuperation from total knee replacement are written from my perspective.  They are not a substitute for medical advice from your medical professional.  Check with your doctor, or professional, prior to taking any action.
Common sense rules.  What works for me, may not work for you.  Therefore, I accept no [...]

7 Ways to Speed Up Your Knee Replacement Recuperation

Having a total knee replacement surgery is only part of the process. How you deal with the recuperation to actually use your new knee is another part. It, actually, is the hardest part. Only you can determine the extent of your success.
Here are some ways I have noticed an improvement in my [...]

Keeping a Journal

While writing my book project, I have found it very helpful to have kept a journal.  A journal can be a notebook that you carry around, or keep at your bedside.   It can also be a daily log of events that is kept in a notebook.    I have known people who simply wrote daily [...]

Finding Humor – where?

Even though every event seems to have some measure of humor in it (at least I’d like to think so), sometimes it is just plain hard to find.  How do you go about rewording something to bring humor into it?

Talk to an impartial person.  By telling your situation to another person, you can receive another [...]

Physical Therapists and Total Knee Replacements

After being so frustrated with other aspects of my total knee replacement process, I feel it’s only right that I talk about a very positive aspect. That is physical therapy.
Physical Therapists don’t let you slide. They make you set workout/exercise goals. They want you to use your muscles. And, they have mucho [...]

Medical Profession’s Arrogance

There is one thing that I am certain about. I know how to tell when my body is imbalanced. If I hear one more doctor tell me that I’m not nauseated or having breathing difficulties because of the prescriptions they give me – I’m going to smack them silly. Their arrogance [...]

Fact and/or Embellishment?

The other day some writers and I were discussing the difference between fact and embellishment. Every time I think about embellishment, lawyers pop into my head. They can take a simple word and turn it into an hour speech. Then there’s the simple “yes or no” answer that results in a politician’s [...]

Excerpt #2

Having recently undergone a total knee replacement, I have had my fill of ‘pain meds’. None work that well. There is one method, however, that is surprisingly great. It is all-natural, cheap, and convenient. In fact, it can be found in everyone’s freezer.
This effective pain reliever is known as ice. Plain [...]

Writing Tips #2

Always be on the look out for successful people’s techniques. By following tried and trued methods of success, you can position yourself positively.

Read a variety of topic-related blogs. Comment on the blogs and link back to yours.

Find motivational advice. A great blog is titled Zen Habits. This blog has [...]

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Even though it’s not pleasing to see all the ads and commercialism centered around this day, Valentine’s Day still evokes many positive feelings in me.  I believe in romance, love flowers of any kind (yes, I consider dandelions a flower), and just love that shade of red flourishing on this day.  Plus, the chocolates and [...]

Total Knee Replacement Recuperation

It’s been a week since my total knee replacement. Considering that it’s a major operation, it just amazes me how I’m up and around. There’s a lot of swelling of my foot and knee area. It goes down a bit with ice.
Every hour, I get up and walk around. In [...]

Back At It

Well, after undergoing a total knee replacement, I’m back in front of my laptop.  There will be plenty of time to write for the next few weeks.   My surgery was done at Virginia Mason in Seattle and I highly recommend them. I found them to be efficient, excellent communicators, and genuinely concerned about [...]

Staying Motivated – Tip #2

With an upcoming total knee replacement surgery pending,  my  motivation  for  working on my book project has lacked.  How do writers overcome a lack of motivation?  Here’s how I handled the question….
* I went online and searched. There are quite a few inspirational websites set up specifically to deal with a writer’s dilemma.  Just perform [...]