Friday Fun: The voters have spoken ...

According to a recent USA Today story, 13% of us (oooh, a scary number) think the meteor is sounding better and better.

And so it goes. Happy weekend, my friends! While you're relaxing, please come up with a plan to save the world.

Fabulous Phrases: Mr. Rogers

While doing some research for my creativity book, I found this terrific quote. Thought I'd share now, rather than making you wait:

The older I get, the more convinced I am that 

the space between communicating human beings 

can be hallowed ground.

-- Mr. Rogers 

Here's to hallowed ground, so often found in unexpected places.  

Creativity Tips: DIY Souvenir

My sister Eva, a championship bowler, invited me to go with her to Las Vegas recently for the national competition. She bowls. I cheer. It's a good approach. And, when we weren't bowling and cheering, we were ... well, it's Vegas. We were playing and eating and drinking. Free drinks. God bless those cocktail waitresses.

To remember the trip, I made this quick souvenir -- and thought you might like to try it on your next vacation. Take your hotel room key, attach press-on magnet strips on the back and voila! Instant DIY souvenir. Enjoy! And buy something to read with the $5 you save on the magnet ...

#Creativity Tips: Redefine Success

OK! It's a bright, new beautiful day. Bright, new beautiful month! Perfect time to consider how you define success.

From GoComics, the perfect start to a day. 

Go fish. Go play. Go pet a pup. Here's to a great weekend!

Creativity Tips: Every Word Matters

I had lunch yesterday with a group of dear friends and, during the course of our conversation, one of them commented that she, "had only run one marathon."

Out of curiosity, I raced over to Google. According to the stat I found, 0.5% of the U.S. population has ever run a marathon. Zero. Point. Five. Percent.

In other words, my friend is a complete amazing unusual outstanding rock star.
Only she doesn't know it.

Every word matters, and words like only and just needlessly minimize our accomplishments and weaken our sentences. Today's tip: Run right past those nasty qualifiers. I'm 100% sure you can do it!

Photo credit: Kate Harness

What the world needs now ...

... is love, sweet love.

Watch the video. Buy the song. Love each other. 

And appreciate the positive power and energy 

creativity unleashes when people put egos aside. 

Friday Fun: Don't Act Your Age

Tom and I recently visited Crystal Bridges in Arkansas -- one of my all-time favorite museums. Fabulous collection, gorgeous grounds. In our wanderings, we found the children's area, so naturally I went in.

Among the other interactive goodies, I found a loom for making potholders. To encourage little artists, I started a potholder -- left it part way done, in hopes that would inspire someone else to either finish it or rip it out and start their own.

Funny thing was: I loved the few minutes with the kid's loom. So, when we got home, I bought one. And then I played:

I have to tell you: Making this potholder was one of the funnest* creative activities I've had in a long time. Instant gratification. And, for someone who spends way too much time with words, it was a real creative boost to play with color. And to make something -- complete! -- in just a few minutes.

It's like baking. You start with nothing but ingredients, and you put them together and voila! Cookies. It's magic.

Go make some magic this weekend. And don't act your age.

*Yep. Not a word. I can make words up. I's a writer.

Random P.S.: This would have been my dad's 98th birthday. May his memory be a blessing.