Poem-a-Day Challenge, Day 7: Write a Villain Poem

The ghost in our house, friend or foe?

Poem-a-Day Challenge, Day 6: Write a Change Poem or a Don't Change Poem

Experiencing "Sleep" by Max Richter

Today, I published a piece on Vocal about my favorite Zen playlist, the composition Sleep by Max Richter. And I shared how Susan and I first experienced this relaxing, meditative music at SXSW 2018.

Underrated? They Don't Know What They're Missing

Underrated? Overlooked? They don’t know what they’re missing. You’re a gem and your talent will out. Believe in your talent. Believe in your effort. Believe in yourself.

Poem-a-Day Challenge, Day 5: Write a Poem Titled "The First (Blank)"

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight…

But what if I can’t see the star to make a wish because the sky is awash in light pollution?

Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash

Poem-a-Day Challenge, Day 4: Write an Active Poem

Or in this case, an inactive poem, the Ballad of Couch Potato Man.

Poem-a-Day Challenge, Day 3: Write a Communication Poem

I look forward to the day when all my social networking can be done unplugged, from my front porch.

If you’re curious, the poem-a-day challenge I’m participating in may be found at Writer’s Digest Magazine.

Poem-A-Day Challenge, Day 2: Write a Poem About What The Future Holds

I could have taken this literally. I could have written about flying cars or jet packs. But I feel like no matter how much I plan or prepare, the future is a game of chance.

Poem-a-Day Challenge, Day 1: Write an Introduction Poem

5 Ways to Develop Your Storytelling Mindset

1. Admit: “I am a storyteller.” You may think you don’t have any stories to share, but I’m betting you do.

2. Follow your favorite storytellers. Who are your favorite storytellers? Make a list. Read them. Study them. Share them. Learn from them.

3. Think “story first.” Many times we jump into a project or situation only to think later, “Hey, that would have made a pretty good storytelling or story-sharing opportunity.” If you think “story first,” then you’re open to the possibilities of stories all around you and the many opportunities you’ll have to share them.

4. Expand your definition of “story.” Sometimes we think too narrowly about storytelling themes and formats. When we develop a storytelling mindset, almost any situation — from a birthday party, morning hike, or letter to a friend — becomes a storytelling opportunity.

5. Nurture and grow your storytelling efforts. The first way to do this is simply by listening to, creating, sharing, and celebrating stories. More formally, there are dozens of opportunities from webinars to full programs of study to help you improve and grow your storytelling mindset.

These 5 ways to develop your storytelling mindset are adapted from presentations and workshops I’ve given on storytelling. I believe life is story and story is life and I’m always looking for ways to grow my own storytelling mindset. I’d love to hear your ideas and learn what’s worked for you.

Celebrate National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month starts tomorrow, April 1. How will you celebrate? Here are a few ways I’m celebrating:

• Read a poem a day. Subscribe to the Academy of American Poets poem-a-day newsletter.

• Write a poem. MasterClass offers 11 Rules for Writing Good Poetry.

• Take part in a poetry month challenge. My favorite is the Writer’s Digest PAD Challenge.

• Support a poet and an independent bookstore by buying a collection of poetry from an independent bookstore. Check out BookShop.

• Read the work of a poet or poetry form that’s new to you. The Poetry Foundation is a great place to explore poets and poetry.

• Share a poem. This could be a favorite poem or one you’ve written. Five ways to share poetry with the world.

Here are 30 more ways to celebrate National Poetry Month.

Here’s to a happy, creative National Poetry Month!

My National Poetry Month party supplies are ready.

The 33 Practices

Photo by Sean Stratton on Unsplash

A few years ago, on a trip to the Smoky Mountains, I wrote down 29 practices to help guide my life. Later, I added four more. Here’s the list as it is today, in no particular order:

1. Generosity

2. Listening

3. Gratitude

4. Presence

5. Mindfulness

6. Calm

7. Laughter

8. Sharing

9. Usefulness

10. Solving

11. Patience

12. Creativity

13. Purposefulness

14. Bravery

15. Intentionality

16. Persistence

17. Curiosity

18. Questioning

19. Reflection

20. Kindness

21. Acceptance

22. Respect

23. Relaxation

24. Partnership

25. Consistency

26. Distance

27. Planning

28. Peace

29. Organization

30. Celebration

31. Clarity

32. Inventiveness

33. Humility

Admittedly some of these practices are similar, almost to the point of being repetitive. But to me, there’s something slightly distinct about each one. As I consider the practices, individually and collectively, I expect I’ll continue to revise and maybe even add to the list. Revisiting the list and studying on it keeps each practice top of mind as I consider how I may apply it in real ways to my life.

In this way, the list will always be a work in progress. The actions and behaviors associated with the list, always a work in practice.

Worm Moon Over East Dundee, Illinois

The moon over East Dundee, Illinois, March 29, 2021. Mike Barzacchini photo.

The last two nights, the sky over East Dundee has been perfect for viewing the full moon. Photos take with a Nikon Coolpix B500. No filter or tripod.

Some Assembly Required

Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash

This weekend, I fought the bookshelf and the bookshelf (almost) won.

This has been a weekend of assembly and disassembly, but finally, I prevailed. The focus of my efforts was a 72” bookshelf that arrived at our home in two boxes almost two months after we ordered it.

I’m not the fix-it-guy or the put-it-together guy. My brother, on the other hand, can take apart and assemble almost anything. My son has the same aptitude. I missed this very practical gene. Instead, I tend to sit among the pieces, crumple the directions, and scream.

Did I mention pieces? There must have been more than 700 that fell from these two boxes when I opened them. And the instructions, while in English, appeared to have been written in some kind of short-hand verbal and visual code. Or maybe they were written fill-in-the-blank style because there sure seemed to be a lot of blanks.

This time, I wanted to overcome my lack of assembly aptitude. I carefully unpacked the boxes and placed all the pieces in an organized fashion along with the instructions in our family room, which would be home to our new shelf. And it sat like that, unpacked and in pieces for two weeks.

Every time I’d walk by the disassembled shelf, I’d glower at it and mutter, “Just wait. Your time’s coming.”

To which I could imagine its reply, “I’m ready and waiting for you, sucker.”

Finally, I jumped in. According to the vague instructions, the only tool needed was a Phillips-head screwdriver. I would have done better with a mallet, hatchet, gallon of glue, and four rolls of duct tape.

i must have put together and taken apart at least three major sections and at one point, I told my wife, “These shelves are just going to have to go on backward.”

But finally, I won. The shelf came together as advertised, with maybe a small gap here or there. It’s up and filled with books. In fact, we’re thinking of getting another one just like.

After all, the second one should be a breeze. But just in case, I’ll keep the glue and the hatchet handy.

Remedies: The Writings of Larry McMurtry

Photo by Will Porada on Unsplash

The first Larry McMurty book I remember reading was Cadillac Jack when I was in college. It must have been around 1982. I remember it as a breezy, road novel, dotted with interesting characters and situations. Chances are I’ll read it again soon, along with rereading and reading many other McMurtry titles.

This past summer, I read Lonesome Dove and Streets of Laredo. Both were engrossing tales and wonderful remedies to what could have been a bleak quarantine summer. Later, Susan and I watched the miniseries based on both books. Lonesome Dove was a rewatch from me and I was surprised how much I remembered about the show and how much I enjoyed it again decades after my first watch. Next week, I’ll start reading McMurtry’s first novel, Horseman, Pass By, for the first time.

Larry McMurtry died this week. I’d have felt the loss at any time, but especially now, I feel like I’ve lost one of my quarantine allies. But who am I kidding? Long after the quarantine is over, life will continue to present challenges. And I’ll still need remedies and escapes to help me live with and through them. I expect McMurtry’s works to continue to sustain me long after I’ve had my vaccines and put the masks away.

Thank you, Mr. McMurtry, for your words and stories that provide me comfort from these storms. Long will you ride.

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Congratulations. We Make it to Friday.

The steps may have been small. But the steps were forward. Congratulations on your week. Wishing you a great weekend and even bigger wins next week.

How Do You Reward Yourself?

How do you reward yourself for reaching a goal? How do you celebrate a job well done?

Celebrating even the smallest progress is important. It’s something I often forget to do. Rewards not only help motivate me. They also keep me focused. Sometimes that focus is its own reward

I started this year with a goal to write and publish one blog post a day. I identified a reward. I’d treat myself to ice cream at the end of each month. With the exception of one hiccup, I’ve stuck to my goal. In fact, for the months of January and February, I wrote and posted every day without fail. That’s two complete months. That’s two ice cream rewards.

Here’s the thing, while I continue to write and post, I’ve yet to collect. I track each day’s goal and write down the reward achieved at the end of each month, almost like an “I owe me.” Yet the promise of the reward helps keep me writing every day.

Whether it’s ice cream, pizza night, or a beach vacation, I hope you remember to reward yourself in a way that keeps you moving forward toward your goal while celebrating your successes.

Now, excuse me. I need to go and start collecting on a debt. I’m thinking vanilla with salted carmel.

Rabbit, Rabbit

Photo by Christopher Paul High on Unsplash

I've been writing poetry most of my life. In fact, I kind of, sort of remember the first poem I ever wrote:

Rabbit, rabbit

In the sun,

Why do you

Have so much fun?

I wrote this when I was in sixth grade for a class assignment. The teacher liked it so much he submitted it for publication in the school newspaper. Next up, The New Yorker.

If only it was that easy. More important than any fame, writing that poem launched me on a life-long pursuit of reading and writing poetry. I've published a few, shared many, but most have never made it out of the notebook. So, this year, I've challenged myself to share more of my poems. This includes posting at least one poem a week on this blog and, when it fits, sharing a little backstory about that poem.

Here's to a happy, creative spring filled with inspiration and poetry for all.  

Happy National Puppy (Every) Day

We celebrate National Puppy Day every day with Dino, Lucy, Roy, and Lulu.

Happy National Puppy Day. Or as we call it in our household, every day.

Looking for Lunch, Finding Limes

One of the free limes found when I was lost in Coronado, California.

Susan and I walked off of Coronado Beach. We were hot, tired, hungry, and looking for a place to cool down and recharge. Google Maps indicated there was just such a place a few blocks in from the beach. So we started off in that direction.

After more than a few blocks walking through residential neighborhoods with no lunch oasis to be seen, it became clear that either Google Maps was wrong (possible, but not likely) or I’d misread Google Maps (very likely). The next closest option for lunch would be back in the town center it seemed.

About halfway between the beach and downtown Coronado, we came upon an oasis of a different kind, a beautiful home on a corner lot that featured a Little Free Library with a selection of interesting titles and a box filled with limes with a sign that read: “Free. Help Yourself.” And we did.

We also had a pleasant chat with Pam, the woman who lived in the house, grew the limes, and kept the Little Library well-stocked. We left, entertained and energized. Yes, we finally did find a spot for lunch. But I didn’t mind the wait. There are many places to find lunch, but only one street in Coronado, California, where we could have had this experience.

This was just another time when I got lost but ended up discovering something even better than what I was originally trying to find.